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 her mouth. The sensation of feeling her emotions faded, and I

a few wisps this morning. Unformed thoughts, like hints of ideas or stream-of-consciousness pictures. Not

her, but I was careful not to say anything and

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

or fe

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

missing

best way to

child-sized table to show

a very smart little girl this morning,” my mom said proudly. “She’s sorted all the

1/2

Izzy did it, too,” Stella

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

at me, but there was a hint of worry in her eyes. She lowered her

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

lot on his mind,” I told

very short time. But I have faith in the Moon Goddess that her plans are all meant to come to fruition. Whatever she has in store

did not have my mother’s faith, but I knew better than to argue with her. I watched the kids

is a lot more advanced than Alaina and Isaac I thought to Lanie. “She’s speaking

worried,” Lanie thought in

from across the room and gave my head a subtle shake.