Alpha Eric's Promise, Protecting those he loves
Chapter 73

Chapter 73: Chapter 73

Ella’s New Beginning

The trees of the pack swayed gently in the morning breeze, their leaves shimmering with the promise of a new day. There was something particularly serene about this morning—something that felt different, as if the pack’s peace had finally settled into its bones, reaching every corner of their lands.

In the heart of the pack’s territory, nestled in a cozy cottage just outside the main grounds, Ella woke to the soft sound of a baby’s cry. It was familiar now, a part of the rhythm of her life. Her heart swelled with love as she slowly rose from the bed, careful not to disturb the peaceful form of her mate, Alex, who lay beside her. For so long, Ella had struggled with the idea of becoming a mother, weighed down by her fears and insecurities. But now, with her son in her arms and Alex by her side, she couldn’t imagine a life any other way.

Ella gently scooped up little Ethan from his crib, her hands trembling slightly as she cradled him against her chest. The tiny boy cooed in her arms, his soft brown eyes blinking up at her in confusion. Ella couldn’t help but smile at the way his hair—dark and wild like his father’s—spiked up in all directions.

"Good morning, my sweet boy," she whispered softly, pressing a kiss to his forehead. Ethan responded with a tiny gurgle, his hands grasping at the air as though trying to reach for the world around him.

As she gazed down at her son, Ella felt the weight of her journey over the past months. She had once been unsure of her place within the pack, unsure of what her future would look like. But now, everything had changed. Alex, her mate, had become the Alpha she knew he was destined to be, and together, they had forged a family that was filled with love and hope. Ethan was the embodiment of that hope—the symbol of their strength and unity.

She moved toward the window, where the morning light filtered in through the curtains. The pack had come so far since the days of unrest, and Ella couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of pride. The rogues had been pushed back, Richard’s reign of terror had ended, and Crescent Moon had risen from the ashes, stronger than ever. Under Alex’s leadership, the pack had flourished, and now, they were truly a family—one that would stand together no matter the challenges they faced.

Ella stood there for a moment, taking in the beauty of the world outside. The land that had once been filled with tension and fear now felt peaceful. There was a stability to it that she hadn’t realized was missing until now.

Suddenly, she heard the soft sound of Alex shifting in the bed behind her. Ella turned to find him propped up on his elbow, his eyes heavy with sleep but filled with warmth and love. His presence was a constant source of comfort, and she had grown to depend on him in ways she never thought possible.

"Morning," Alex murmured, his voice rough from sleep. He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, a lazy smile tugging at his lips as he met her gaze. His eyes softened when he saw Ethan in her arms, his son the center of their world.

"Morning," Ella replied, her voice soft and content. "He’s awake."

Alex’s face lit up with a smile as he stretched and sat up. "He must’ve had a good night," he said with a chuckle, reaching for his son. Ella passed Ethan to him, and Alex cradled their son in his arms with practiced ease. It was moments like this—simple, quiet moments—that made Ella’s heart swell. She had never imagined she would find such happiness in the small things, in the daily rhythms of life with her family.

"How’s our little troublemaker this morning?" Alex asked, gently rocking Ethan in his arms.

Ella chuckled softly. "Same as always. Full of energy and curiosity."

As Alex laughed, the sound was rich and warm, filling the room with the joy of their newfound peace. He kissed Ethan’s forehead gently before handing him back to Ella. She settled back into the chair by the window, her heart full as she gazed at her son. She had once feared she wasn’t capable of giving him the life he deserved, but now, with Alex by her side, she knew their son would grow up surrounded by love and security. He would never have to face the hardships that so many others in the pack had endured. He would have the support of his pack, the guidance of his parents, and the strength of their legacy to carry him forward.

The door to their room creaked open softly, and Ella turned to see Aria standing in the doorway, a playful smile on her lips. "You two are up early," she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I thought new parents were supposed to be exhausted."

"We’re exhausted," Alex said with a grin, "but this little guy is worth it." He lifted Ethan in his arms, and Aria moved forward to coo over her nephew.

"Look at him," Aria said, her voice full of affection. "He’s getting so big."

Ella nodded, her heart swelling. "I can’t believe how fast he’s growing."

Aria turned to her brother with a raised brow. "Have you given any thought to his future?" she asked, a teasing glint in her eyes.

Alex shot her a knowing look. "Of course, I have," he replied. "He’ll be the future Alpha. But I’m not rushing anything. Let the boy be a baby for a while."

Ella chuckled softly, her heart lighter than it had been in years. There was a time when she would have dreaded such a conversation, the weight of expectations and responsibilities weighing heavily on her. But now, she felt ready to take on whatever the future held for her family. With Alex by her side, they could handle anything. The pack was growing stronger every day, and Ethan would grow up with the love and support of not just his parents, but an entire community.

As Aria leaned in to kiss Ethan on the forehead, Ella felt a sense of peace settle in her chest. Her family was complete. They had weathered the storms together, and now they stood at the beginning of a new Chapter, one that was filled with hope and promise.

"Are you still planning to go to the meeting this afternoon?" Aria asked, looking from Alex to Ella.

Alex nodded. "Yes, but I’ll make it quick. I want to spend the rest of the day with you two." His voice softened as he looked at Ella. "We have plenty of time."

Ella smiled, her heart fluttering in her chest. "We do," she agreed, feeling the truth of his words sink in. They had all the time in the world.

---

Later That Day

The meeting was brief but important. As the Alpha, Alex had to stay on top of pack matters, and there were still issues to discuss regarding their territory and the plans for the expansion. But even as he sat in the meeting room with the elders and the other pack leaders, his mind kept drifting back to Ella and Ethan. The warmth of their love, the joy of watching his son grow, and the strength of their bond—all of it filled him with a sense of fulfillment that he hadn’t known he needed.

When the meeting was over, Alex couldn’t get out of there fast enough. He was eager to return to his family, to the peace and tranquility that awaited him back home. As he walked toward the cottage, he heard the familiar sounds of laughter echoing through the trees. He smiled to himself, knowing that this was the life he had fought for.

Ella was sitting on the porch when he arrived, Ethan resting in her arms as she rocked gently back and forth. The sight of them together was everything he had ever wanted—his family, safe and sound.

"You’re home," Ella said, looking up at him with a smile that took his breath away.

"I am," Alex replied, stepping forward and wrapping his arms around her. He kissed her forehead softly, then leaned down to kiss Ethan’s cheek. "And I’m not going anywhere."

For a long moment, they sat there together, the sun beginning to set in the distance. The world was peaceful, the pack was thriving, and Alex had everything he had ever wanted. His family was whole, and they were ready to face whatever the future had in store.

As the stars began to twinkle in the sky, Ella rested her head on Alex’s shoulder, her heart content in a way it had never been before.

This was their new beginning.