I looked around for the millionth time, trying to find the damn bear. Of all the animals she could have as her favourite, that bear was the one that she could not be separated from for more than five minutes. Except at times like this where that thing was nowhere to be found.

Whoever said that packing for a toddler was easier than for a baby was a complete liar.

"Boys, have you seen the bear?" I shouted from across the room, hoping that I would be heard despite all the noise coming from the living room.

The lack of reply did not surprise me but it still annoyed me, so I decided to march over the lounge, ready to give my mates a piece of my mind. You would think that raising a child with two dads would be easier and yet, I was always the one in charge of getting our little child of chaos ready whenever we were going out or were about to travel.

"Listen, you two, you better be more cooperative if you don't want to be begging for forgiveness tonight," I said as I stepped out of the bedroom, my warning a mix of irritation with a pinch of mischief. "Now, I am going to ask again, have you seen the bear?"

I froze in my spot the moment the guys came into sight. "What the..."

Lost for words was one way to describe my current state.

My two fierce, powerful Alphas were sitting on the floor, legs crossed, as each of them held an empty plastic teacup, pinching the handle with a pinkie sticking out and pretending to be drinking out of it. Between them was our tornado of a daughter who was pouring imaginary tea in their cups with a sweet smile on her face.

I was not sure what I was more shocked by- the fact that my little girl had instilled complete obedience in her dads or that my tomboy toddler was playing something relatively girly for her. She was more the hide-and-seek, kick-a-ball around and wrestling kind of toddler who had nearly no interest in dolls or other toys that girls her age liked.

Rafe looked up at me but didn't dare to move. I would have burnt that bear up to now if it was up to me, he mind linked.

Rafe Macalister, you better not let your daughter hear you say that, or you might be sorry. And what on earth are you two doing?

Maggie wanted to have a tea party, Aiden replied through our link, and we couldn't say no. Don't worry, love, the bear must be somewhere around.

As if she sensed that we were talking about her behind her back, Maggie growled, demanding her dads' complete focus.

"I'm sorry, Pumpkin. I promise that you have our undivided attention." My dragon mate's apology was so genuine that one would think that he had really messed up with something grave.

"Seriously, Aiden, how many times do I need to tell you to come up with a better nickname than Pumpkin? Our daughter is the future Alpha of the Windfire tribe- we need to take her seriously, even if she has the cutest, squishiest cheeks in the world."

Rafe pinched Maggie's cheeks and our classy little lady responded by practically throwing daggers with her eyes. Daggers that she forgot all about the moment he kissed her on the forehead- yeah, she was my daughter, alright, and forehead kisses were definitely mine and her favourite type of kisses.

"Oh, because calling her Giggles is so much better?" Aiden protested. "I guess we will know which one Maggie truly prefers when she grows up."

I stood there listening to the two of them, amazed by how much Maggie had changed our lives and how much she had her dads wrapped around her fingers. I knew that both of them would move heaven and earth for me but their dedication to our baby girl was on a completely different level. It was incredibly endearing but, at times, pretty shocking how much control this tiny shifter had over two of the most powerful Alphas in the UK. Some tribe members even joked that it was Maggie that they needed to bribe whenever they required their Alphas' approval for something.

Still, I was in love with my family just the way we were. Things were not always easy, especially with many people in the supernatural world who disapproved of our Alpha Triad and the progressive ways that we were trying to push through. Still, every day we proved to them that we were stronger, better, wiser as one.

The tribe had also settled surprisingly well ever since the wolf pack and the dragon clan merged when the three of us became Alphas. Sol and Seline granted many of the dragon shifters mates from within the old Windcrest pack but not only. Our tribe was growing and many shifters were coming over, requesting to join us. Many also saw an even brighter future in the fact that the future Alpha was a wolf-dragon hybrid after the Sun and Moon Goddesses blessed Maggie with two animals.

As for me? I had everything that I could have asked for. My mates lived up to all the promises that they made the day that we completed our mating, loving me unconditionally while they still kept me on my toes every day. And the sex? Let's just say that I had no idea why I did not realise earlier that I needed both of them.

Our bond was unbreakable and I could never imagine my life without either one of them. Sure, sometimes it was tricky being a triad- we were an incredible team but I made sure to always spend time with each of them individually. They both completed me, and their own bond was stronger than just best friends or even brothers.

But it was Maggie's arrival that showed me just how lucky I was. Apart from having the most beautiful and adorable baby girl in the world, I was in awe when my mates both offered to take time off from their Alpha duties to take care of our bundle of joy to give me the time to rest and recharge but also to be able to return back to my Alpha Luna responsibilities whenever I felt ready for it while they looked after her. They showered our child with so much devotion and affection, making sure that Maggie never doubted how much her dads cared for her and loved her, and that she never went through the kind of things that both of them did with their own families.

Right now, though, I needed to get everyone ready to leave.

"Okay, this tea party is over if we want to be ready on time, so tidy up, boys."

"Nooo," I heard my toddler say with the authority of an aspiring Alpha.

"Margot Serafina Macalister-Hayes, it's your birthday today, so unless you want us to be late for your own party, you better find BooBoo Bear and be ready for your grandfather's arrival."

And just like that, my naughty daughter ran up to me, grabbed my leg and flashing the most adorable smile, which had me melting into a puddle on the floor.

"Mama."

"Ha, now it's mama, is it? Usually, dada is all I hear," I teased her but she just kept on looking at me innocently.

Did she pick that up from me because that trick certainly worked on my mates?

I lifted her and my whole body hummed with joy when she wrapped her small arms around my neck and gave me one of her loving kisses. "Mama star," she exclaimed.

"You're my star too, baby girl." A wide smile spread across my face as I put her on the floor while Aiden and Rafe walked over to kiss me. Goddess, I was so damn lucky!

Lost in their passionate embraces, I did not realise that my dad had teleported into the room until he cleared his throat.

"Pa," Maggie called out and rushed over to hug his leg this time.

I rolled my eyes at the two. So much for special treatment for her mum.

"Hi, sweetie. Who is turning two today? Is it this little girl?" Maggie burst laughing as my dad tickled her and my smile grew wider. "Can't wait to teach you so more magic tricks later," he told her, winking at her in a conspiratory way. "Ready to go, Auri?"

Not even close, I thought to myself but different words came out of my mouth.

"I will be if you can wait another 30mins."

My dad raised his eyebrows at me like I was lying to him. "Listen, why don't I take Maggie to your mum and I will come back to pick you up in two hours. What do you say? You look like you can use a break."

His voice was gentle, reassuring even, yet I couldn't help but wonder whether he was trying to tell me that I looked crap. I had my mates' abilities but their stamina was not amongst the things I gained, and keeping up with any toddler, let alone a wolf-dragon hybrid, was definitely a tiring exercise.

Rafe interrupted our conversation before I could reply. "That sounds like an excellent idea, Victor, because there is some urgent tribe business that we need to discuss before the party and we haven't had a chance to speak to Riley about it."

Oh, the guys had not mentioned anything the whole morning, so I was a bit anxious about what had happened for them to want to discuss it now.

"It's settled then," my dad replied and took Maggie's hand. "Come on, sweetpea, let's go see grandma before all of your guests arrive."

"Yay, nana. Ba ba, mama." My little girl turned around, blew me a kiss and they were gone.

Once they left, my concerned gaze focused on my mates. We needed to discuss what was going on and seeing as it was an urgent matter, packing had to wait.

"So what happened and why didn't you tell me earlier that there was something?" I demanded to know but my questions were met by two smirking, mischievous faces starring at me with hungry eyes. They looked like two predators ready to pounce on me.

Waves of lust washed through me via our bond. As if on command, my nipples hardened and my pussy clenched as the familiar craving for my two men took control of my mind.

"What can we say? We have some urgent things to go over with you, love." My dragon mate took a step towards me, caressing my cheek before his hand moved further down.

"Absolutely, our Alpha Luna, we cannot postpone this discussion...in the bedroom...naked," Rafe added while he kissed my neck while his hand slipped between my legs.

I moaned loudly as his fingers teased me through the fabric of my clothes.

"Well, if it's urgent business, we better not delay our discussion any longer than." I licked my lips, looking at the hard-ons they were both sporting between before I grabbed them by the hand and led them to the bedroom.

***

I had to take two cold showers prior to my dad's arrival to cool off the desires that my mates had sparked in me after our length bedroom session. It was amazing to have some wild sexy time while Maggie was away but today was about her. It was her second birthday, so we needed to focus on her now.

Mind you, she was happily running around my parents' garden when we arrived, not even paying attention that we were finally there, so I went to grab a drink from the kitchen instead of interrupting her. And frankly, I could use a moment on my own, without my mates or my daughter.

A familiar face greeted me as soon as I stepped into the kitchen.

"Nat," I exclaimed and rushed to hug her. "You made it!"

"Of course I did. Did you think I would miss my only niece's birthday?" She hugged me back while she half-scolded me for doubting her presence.

"No, but we see you so rarely over the past 3 years- ever since you decided to stay in Talamaire. I miss you, my dear. And frankly, I could use some support in whipping Aiden and Rafe into shape sometimes."

We both burst out laughing. We loved Rafe and Aiden very much, each of us in our own way, but Natalia was the only person who could really understand my frustrations with boys at times.

Yet. I also understood that Talamaire was the right place for her over the past few years. She had still not figured out who her mate was and although she often returned to see her mum- who unfortunately still didn't know the truth about Rafe and Nat's relation to her- the gryphon kingdom brought Natalia a lot of inner peace, knowledge, as well as training, on her Omega abilities and beyond.

"Well, you will be happy to know that I am coming home." She smiled at me while my eyes grew wide with excitement.

"You are? Oh my goddess, that's amazing news. I can't wait for you to see the tribe."

"What's all the commotion in here?" My brother interrupted us as he, Anna and my adorable niece Sophie came over to join us.

Sophie was 3 years old but she had always been the complete opposite of Maggie. While my daughter brought noise and chaos wherever she went, Sophie was an incredibly calm, polite and composed toddler, much like my brother and my sister-in-law. Still, the two cousins got on like a house on fire despite their differences, each of them rubbing off on the other one over time. They were the two sunshines of our families and the future Alphas of the Blackwood pack and the Windfire tribe, and I had no doubt in my mind that they were going to be a force to be reckoned with when they grew up and became the leaders that they were born to be.

"Oh, nothing much- just excited that Sophie and Maggie's favourite babysitter is coming back to Scotland," I joked while I gave my brother and his family a hug. I barely put Sophie on the ground and she immediately ran off to look for her cousin. "Did you enjoy your trip to London?"

Anna definitely looked like she had a blast and could barely hold herself from sharing her enthusiasm from their trip. "We loved it, even though it's a bit too crowded for our liking. But Sophie absolutely adored London Eye."

The sound of the doorbell echoed around the house and I knew that I needed to get the door as I was the closest to it, with my parents and my mates in the garden.

"Excuse me," I apologised and headed for the front door.

The moment I opened it, the gentle, loving face of my unsuspecting mother-in-law greeted me on the other side.

"Riley, my darling, it is so good to see you. I know it has only been a few weeks since the last time we saw each other but I missed you all and Maggie."

Every time I met with Michelle since that fateful night when we killed her boss and she came back to London with us, it was a surreal experience. She evidently felt a pull towards Rafe and Nat, as well as Aiden, Maggie and me, but she had no idea how we were all connected to her.

I was over the moon that she had managed to settle down as a neighbour to my parents, and my mum's business partner at their flower shop but it still pained me that we could not openly celebrate Michelle as the crucial member of our family that she was. It was particularly tough for my mate and his sister, both of whom were overjoyed that their mother was alive but the fact that they had to act around her as anything other than her children broke their hearts.

"Oh, Michelle, we missed you. Especially that little tornado- she loves spending time with you.

"So do I. Speaking of her, where is our birthday girl? I got her a present that seems a bit odd but for some reason, I was drawn to it when I thought of her."

She took a small box out of her pocket and opened it. Inside the box was a stunning, delicate necklace with a wolf and dragon pendant. Knowing why she felt a pull towards this particular necklace, I choked up, but I had to hold back my tears as she would not have understood.

"It's beautiful," I muttered. "She will love it."

I grabbed Michelle's hand and pulled her towards the garden. "Come on, I think it's time for the birthday cake. Plus, I think that Rafe and Nat want to see you."

The celebration finally kicked off as we all gathered outside. My heart was full, watching my little girl enjoy her special day with her family, knowing that this was just the start of our beautiful story. The gentle sun rays stroked my face while I thought about all the amazing memories and moments that we still had ahead of us.

An hour later, I found myself marvelling at the stunning sunset and the emerging moon in the sky when Nat walked over to give me a hug. To my astoundment, this only resulted in growls from Maggie, who put herself between me and her aunt like she was protecting me from her.

Aiden and Rafe also seemed surprised by our girl's behaviour, although it had happened on a few occasions recently, whenever anyone other than her dads had tried to approach me more physically in front of Maggie.

"Rafe was the same as a kid," I heard Michelle say as she walked up to us. "He growled and chased away anyone who wanted to come near me when I was pregnant with Natalia. Shifter children usually sense their mother's pregnancy way before their parents do."

"What did you just say, Michelle?" Rafe whipped his head around, holding his breath once the words left his mouth.

I stood there in complete shock, just like Rafe, Aiden and Natalia, as we looked at Michelle.

Did she remember?

Mere seconds had passed since she spoke but they felt like an eternity while we all waited for her to react. It was a moment full of pain but also of hope. I was so nervous that I had not even realised that I was chewing on the soft flesh on the inside of my mouth.

Michele did a double-take like she was also trying to figure out what had just happened. It caught her off guard, just like us. The moment the realisation sunk in was so clear- her expression blanched and went pale, her body shaking before she gasped and covered her face with her trembling hands. Her eyes shined with relief and happiness when she focused on her son once more.

"Oh honey, I think it's time to start calling me mum again." Silent teardrops streaked down her face as she opened her arms to embrace both Rafe and Natalia.

With my own child wrapped around my legs, I could barely contain my tears and it was only Aiden's soothing presence that kept me from weeping while I watched my mate finally reunite with his mother.

"Oh, Riley." She turned around to hug me. "Thank you for not giving up on me and for looking after my boy when I was not around."

I smiled at her, holding on to both of my mates' hands. I could feel happiness emanate from the two of them, and it only made me feel more elated that our family could finally be completed with Rafe's mother.

Michelle took the three of us in and turned to her daughter. "Nat, darling, how about we go and talk about what you have been up to in Talamaire? I want to hear all about it. Maybe Maggie can join us too." She smiled knowingly at me as she led my sister-in-law and my toddler away.

My brain must have still been overwhelmed by all the emotions because I didn't catch on to it immediately but seconds later, I wondered why she gave me that look. I spun around to face my mates, who were both looking at me in awe.

What did I miss?

"What's with you two? You are being weird. I can assure you that I was not the one that triggered Michelle's memory."

I didn't get why they were acting so strange all of a sudden.

"What my mum said, Riley, about Maggie behaving like this, the growling and all...." Rafe paused, unable to finish his sentence.

My skin tingled when Aiden brought my hand to his lips before he continued. "Are you pregnant, love?"

"What? No. My period is due..." I thought about it and I realised that I was actually two weeks late. Things had been so busy with Maggie and the tribe that I hadn't even noticed how far along my cycle I was. I clamped my mouth shut but I couldn't stay like that forever.

My heartbeat kicked up a notch. I twisted the wedding rings on my finger as I shifted from one foot to the other. The deep breath I took calmed my senses enough to bring myself to look at my mates again. "Maybe?"