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

night before, I’d gotten a few wisps this morning. Unformed thoughts, like hints

careful not to say anything

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

or fe

I thought of it as a gift, something unique to us because of our unique relationship, but I guess being so connected

a puzzle still missing some pieces,” Zane thought to

best

Stella waved me over to the small, child-sized table to show me the blocks she’d been

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

1/2

it, too,” Stella

of each twin’s head, then Stella’s. “Good job, all of you.

there was a hint

house all morning, getting ready to go into town and meet up with Asher. We’d all

got a lot on his mind,” I

nodded. “Of course. You all do. There’ve been a lot of changes around here in a very short time. But I have faith in the Moon Goddess that

did not have my mother’s faith, but I knew better than to argue with her. I watched the kids playing with the blocks for a few minutes more, really

a lot more advanced than Alaina and Isaac I thought to Lanie. “She’s speaking in full sentences. She’s sorting the blocks like she’s been

worried,” Lanie thought in

the room and gave my head