Mated to the Alpha and His Beta

Xander

Reluctantly, | handed my son over to a stranger.

“You're sure they'll all be okay?” | demanded gruffly of the woman who, | had to admit, had a kind face. “Our little ones love the school here. Your children are going to have a great time. And you can always observe through the glass.” She gave a discreet tip of her chin toward the two-way mirror on the far wall. Stella was already running off, holding Alaina’s hand and mindful that her sister couldn't go as fast. Just like that, all three of my pups were gone.

“I'll hardly know what to do with myself,” my mother said as she watched them go. When she turned to me, her eyes shone. “Actually, | know exactly what I’m going to do with myself. I've got some friends here.

I

People | knew during the Great Wars. | haven’t seen them since...well, in a long, long time.”Material © of NôvelDrama.Org.

“You deserve some time to enjoy catching up with your friends, Ma.” | pulled her into a hug. “And, just in case | haven't mentioned it, you know we all appreciate how helpful you’ve been with the pups. We truly can’t

have done any of this without you.”

“You're my son. Family pulls together,” she said with a wide grin. “But if you'll excuse me, I’m going to pull myself out of here before one of those babies decides they want Grammy!”

With a chuckle, | watched her go. Lanie was standing with a concerned look, but when | sent out a probe of concern through our bond, she smiled and shook her head.

“It's a milestone. And hey, at least we don’t have to homeschool. | know how much you were looking. forward to learning how to read all over again,” she joked.

Zane and Mason had lingered over breakfast, deep in conversation, but both showed up now.

I

“My brother is taking his good old time adjusting,” | sent through my private link to Lanie.

“Zane’s taking care of him. And it’s good for all of us to be a little wary, not complacent.”

My brother was downright trepidatious, but | also could tell that Zane was helping to balance him. It had to be taking a lot out of our Beta, though.

“| hope this will be a place where we can all let our guards down for a bit” Lanie leaned into my embrace.

We hadn’t talked much about what it meant that Stella could read minds beyond a normal bond link, or that she could read minds that were supposed to be unreadable Something told me that was a discussion that was going to lead to anything but being able to let down our guards, but | didn’t say so. Instead, | kissed

her.

“Does this feel like home to you?” | asked, curious about the vampire influence.

Hell, even | could feel it, and | didn’t have any varnp in me Before coming here, | hadn’t realized how much, of an aura, for lack of a better word, surrounded wolf kind, and how different it was from each other kind of

“It's starting to. So fastasesyes she added, answering the question | hadn’t asked but only thought. She aughed a little at my Experosiosional quess Stella inherited her special talent from my side.”

“What am | thinking right no new?

My mate grinned, he de omino no to my c rotch. She wiggled her eyebrows, and my co ck stirred. It had een far too long since i radne naked body under my hands and tongue. No time for that now, sadly.

“Hello. You must be Malachu’s omarandaughter mm Vera. And this is Eowan” A woman as tall as me gently hoved a little boy forward. Both at the men hao pointed eartips. “He’ll be in class with your little ones.”

“Nice to meet you, Lante se dald

| waited until the two had gone out or earshot, atthough, hell, with ears like that, maybe they could hear eyond what i thought they couto. Whethare of of supernatural are they?”

“Fae Zane said in a low voice as ns ce came up to us with Mason, “We met her husband in the corridor. ice dude. Hey, by the way, Greyson invitedles us to the enclave training grounds for a workout. | could really use

ne. You in?”

“F uck yeah, I’m in. Unless our Luna needs see tumed to give her a look, hopeful she’d say no.

Lane laughed, shaking her heart woulo edes

As stand in the way of you getting to pound and break ings. All three of you, go. My grandfather askeskeiser with me this morning.”

“Shouldn't we be with you?” Zane asked with a from Wide He’s going to tell you about Stella, right?”

I'm not sure what he’s got to say, but he asked for fotothe be in private. You go,” she said.

1 pounded one fist into my opposite palm, already grinning geareah Let’s go break some sh it.”