Mated to the Alpha and His Beta

Chapter 274

Xander

I watched our mate and pups, busy with a few learning games my mother had been teaching them. Counting, alphabet, stuff like that. It was hard to believe the three pups had gone from infants to toddlers in what felt like a few hours. But, in the way of our kind, they’d continue growing and maturing at an even faster pace now.

“If they’re getting older, what does that mean about us?” I laughed as Zane brought me a mug of black coffee

“You’re o

old,” my mother shot over to me with a wry grin. “And I’m even older.”

“Well,” my mate said as she got up to greet us both with a kiss, “I’m not old yet. Morning, my loves.”

Zane gave her a mug, too, along with a kiss. Watching the two of them together lifted my heart in ways I’d never known it could feel. For a second, I shot back to the Mating Day when we’d found out she’d been given us. Hot shame washed through me at the memory of how st upid we’d been. How arrogant and…yes, even

cruel.

“All forgiven,” Lanie thought-whispered.

to

“But not forgotten,” I replied firmly. “I will never allow myself to forget how badly I behaved. I never want to be that way again.”

emotions wound through me. She was touched. Lanie pushed up on her toes to

this morning. Unformed thoughts, like hints of ideas or stream-of-consciousness pictures. Not like when she communicated with purpose through the

was careful not to say anything

I was sending the way she was, but I didn’t want her to know that I was receiving her. Not if it was going to

or fe

I thought of it as a gift, something unique to us because of our unique relationship, but I guess being so connected to Lanie also let me understand how she could feel like it was an invasion

puzzle still missing some pieces,”

best way to

child-sized table to show me the blocks she’d been sorting.

said proudly. “She’s sorted all the blocks by

1/2

did it, too,” Stella said with

Stella’s.

all so bright.” She beamed at me, but there was a hint of worry in her eyes.

been stalking around the house all morning, getting ready to go into town and meet up with Asher. We’d all been letting

a lot on

short time. But I have faith in the Moon Goddess that her

my mother’s faith, but I knew better than to argue with her. I watched the kids playing with the

Isaac I thought to Lanie. “She’s speaking in full sentences. She’s sorting the blocks like she’s been doing it

worried,” Lanie thought in

and gave my head