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.”

duet normal,” Zane said, but his voice was rich 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

fine. Once she left, I propped my feet up on the coffee table and let my bod sink into the couch next to Xander. It wasn’t big enough for all

been thinking about it. It wasn’t really my place to bring up the subject, though. I belonged to all of them. Xander

me, but

pushed me off his lap so he could poke the fire to keep it

all of us were taken care of. That we had what we

I

places in this family, and I was so grateful

then said nothing else for so long the cr ackles and pops of the fire began to sound like a song. Finally, he finished, “I

Zane nodded, but neither 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

1/2

had to be said.

Zane

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

that. Needed you,” Mason added casually,