Mated to the Alpha and His Beta

Chapter 269

Lanie

“Hearing Zane sing “Hard Candy Christmas” was one thing,” I said around another flurry of laughter at the memory. Once Mason’s argument with Asher had dissipated, Quinn’s party had ended up being really fun. “But when Mason and Xander dueted with ‘Greased Lightning Gabriela, I swear to the Moon, I almost peed my pants.

“Hey,” Mason said mildly, “Your rendition of “Baby Got Back was truly inspired, Lanie.”

“No Eddie Grayfur classics? Gabriela chuckled softly and set the match to one of the candles on the

mantelpiece.

She’d had a fire going for us when we got home, and now she was adding the candles. She shook her head at her enormous son, bent over and shaking with laughter on the couch.

“You and your human music. Xander always did like to listen to it.” She put the matchbox on the mantel and her hands on her hips. “All four of you smell like a brewery. Do I need to bring you some coffee?”

“We’re all good, Ma. Thanks for watching the kids.” Xander straightened with a grin.

“Yes,” | echoed. “I didn’t realize how much I really needed to just do something…normal.”

would not call that duet normal,” Zane said, but his voice

out, and I had a good time here with the pups. They did wear me out, though I’m off to bed. Unless you need me for something? Should I wear earplugs to bed in case you all decide to start singing again?”

into the couch next to Xander. It wasn’t big

much discussion about the fight between Mason and Asher, or what had happened when Zane stepped in, but I knew we’d all been thinking about it. It wasn’t really my place to bring up the subject, though. I belonged to all of them. Xander

belonged to me, but

his lap so he could poke the fire to keep

care of. That we had what

I

places in this family, and I was so

pops

one of them said anything. Sitting between them, I could feel their awkwardness. Like it was Xander’s job to keep the fire going, it was mine to soothe our troubled

1/2

had to be said.

Zane

overstepped.” I had to speak up first, when it was obvious Mason wasn’t going to say anything. I leaned forward with my elbows on my knees and tried to choose my words carefully. The heat from the fire flared as Xander poked

I needed that. Needed you,” Mason