Taking Her Back
Auren POV
For eight years, we had been crazily trying to find Tamara. For eight years, I had dreamed of this moment–of seeing Tamara again, of finally holding my daughter in my arms. After Magnus’s death, every lead went cold. But we didn’t give up hope. Even though Lucien focused on his pack and Bradley, he never stopped searching for our daughter. We traveled to every place including human towns, but for all our efforts, she remained out of reach.
It wasn’t until one day Alpha teddy came to Lucien for help that the breakthrough came. After Magnus’s death, he was struggling to keep two packs going well and alive. His pack business wasn’t doing so well because he had invested it into two packs. Knowing that Lucien had previously helped Magnus, he had come to him seeking monetary support to prevent his packs‘ collapse.
When Lucien met Teddy, his sharp senses immediately caught the familiar scent of Tamara. It was unmistakable. Before Teddy could speak a word, Lucien growled at him. “Teddy, who else have you been around?”
Teddy was startled. He hesitated, but after a moment of silence he said, “I’m sorry, but what do you mean, Alpha Lucien. I’m not a traitor.”
Lucien couldn’t help himself. He walked over to him and sniffed him. “That smell,” he said, his eyes glinting. “Do you know of a pup named Tamara?”
Teddy’s eyes widened in surprise. “I know Tam, and-” Teddy stopped midsentence, and leaned in to smell Lucien. “Fuck!” My insides screamed because I wasn’t believing where this may all lead to. Was the goddess being kind to us again? Teddy jerked his head up to see Lucien in his eyes. “Tam. We found Tam eight years ago. I mean–I mean my son brought her to us. By Veles! Tam… she’s my adopted daughter. She’s been living with us… but… she’s yours, isn’t she?” The moment of truth was out, and everything fell into place.
And now standing in Teddy‘ house, I felt a whirlwind of emotions crashing inside me. Relief, fear, joy and guilt. I couldn’t help notice how Tamara had grown into such a beautiful girl. Suddenly, I realized how much I missed out on. I envied Shehla and Teddy for the time lost. But would Tamara remember me? Would she accept me as her mother? Those words were making me edgy.
Tamara left us and walked to Shehla. She climbed her lap and hugged her tightly. “Mom…” she cried.
Shehla hugged her and kissed her on her cheek. “These are you parents, Tam. They love you.” Her voice wavered from all the love and care. “And even if you’re their daughter, you are still our girl, too.”
“Mommy!” Tamara cried.“”
“Oh, my baby!” Shehla sobbed.
It was a heavy moment, and I waited patiently. I just couldn’t pluck Tamara away. She needed to be with her adoptive parents. And I was thankful to the goddess that they took such good care of my baby.
Finally, after a long time Teddy handed all papers to Lucien, and when all of Tamara’s things were packed, we headed to our car. I darted my eyes to find Matt, but the boy had gone missing. He seemed to behave oddly, like he was protecting my baby, but I was overreacting. It was obvious that he had grown attached to my baby over the last few years. After all, he was the one who saved her.
Tamara was in my arms when we came to the car. She blinked as her small hand rested on my chest. “You’re my mommy?” she asked in a soft voice, tinged with uncertainty. She glanced at Shehla and back to me, clearly torn between the life she had known and the strange new reality unfolding in front of her.
My heart broke. I brushed a strand of golden hair from her face. “Yes, baby,” I said in a soft voice. “I’m your mommy, and I’ve missed you so much.”
Her lips trembled as she looked at Shehla and Teddy, tears slipping down her cheeks. “I don’t want to leave them.”
“I know, sweetie,” I said. “I promise you that I’ll bring you here to visit them.”
At that, Tamara’s eyes lit up: She wiped her tears. Then she looked at Shehla and said loudly, “Tell Matt that I don’t like hint But I will come to meet him again.”
Shehla laughed, shaking her head. “I will.”
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My lips curled up. I looked at where Shehla and Teddy were ord said, the you for everything.”
Teddy gave a solemn smile. “It’s what parents do, Luna Auren. We take care of our own.”
Lucien’s throat bobbed as he tried to contain his emotions. He shook Teddy’s hand. “Let me know how I can help you, Teddy. I’ll do everything in my capacity to bring your packs back to old glory.” Lucien had already sent a million dollars to
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Taking Her Back
Teddy’s pack business account, and he was planning to send more. I suggested that he set up a trust fund for them, which he liked very much.
“Thank you,” Teddy replied. “It means a lot to me.”
Once we sat in the car, Lucien put Tamara in his lap. His joy was limitless. He couldn’t stop looking at his daughter. Every once in a while, he would turn his face away and I would find him wiping a tear on his cheek. At first, Tamara was reluctant to talk to us, which was natural. But my husband had learnt all the tricks by now. He had been secretly practicing on how he would cajole his daughter when he met her again. He never gave up hope that she was alive.
An hour later, Tamara was giggling at his antics. Can you imagine that Lucien even learnt small, chest magic tricks to wheedle her? The car filled with Tamara’s laughter, and both of us relaxed, letting the moment wash over us.
I turned my face out the window and it was then I noticed a golden brown, majestic bear running through the jungle as if trying to keep up with the car. He was a blur of motion through the trees. As tall as Lucien’s wolf, and beautiful. My breath caught in my throat as I stared at it for a long time. But soon he came to a stop when we reached the pack’s border, and watched us leave.
He was on patrol, I guess. Ignoring him, I returned my thoughts to Tamara and Lucien, who were now laughing like they were old buddies.
I took a sigh of relief and closed my eyes as I leaned back. I wondered how Bradley would take his sister in. Well, for now, I leaned on Lucien’s shoulder and heard my pup giggling.
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