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.”

her toes to her mouth.

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

but I was careful not to say anything and tried my best

but I didn’t want her to know that I was receiving her. Not if it

or fe

work with, though. 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

a puzzle still missing some pieces,” Zane

was the best way to

small, child-sized table to show me the blocks she’d

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

1/2

and Izzy did it, too,” Stella said with a wide

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

beamed at me, but there was a hint of

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

got a lot on his mind,”

have faith in the Moon Goddess that her plans are all meant to come to fruition. Whatever she

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

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

sound worried,” Lanie

the room and gave