Xander
Reluctantly, I handed my son over to a stranger.
âYou're sure they'll all be okay?â I demanded gruffly of the woman who, I had to admit, had a kind face.
âOur little ones love the school here. Your children are going to have a great time. And you can always
observe through the glass.â She gave a discreet tip of her chin toward the two-way mirror on the far wall.
Stella was already running off, holding Alainaâs hand and mindful that her sister couldn't go as fast. Just
like that, all three of my pups were gone.
âI'll hardly know what to do with myself,â my mother said as she watched them go. When she turned to me, her eyes shone.
âActually, I know exactly what Iâm going to do with myself. I've got some friends here.
I
People I knew during the Great Wars. I havenât seen them since...well, in a long, long time.â
âYou deserve some time to enjoy catching up with your friends, Ma.â I pulled her into a hug. âAnd, just in case I haven't
mentioned it, you know we all appreciate how helpful youâve been with the pups. We truly canât
have done any of this without you.â
âYou're my son. Family pulls together,â she said with a wide grin. âBut if you'll excuse me, Iâm going to pull myself out of here
before one of those babies decides they want Grammy!â
With a chuckle, I watched her go. Lanie was standing with a concerned look, but when I sent out a probe of concern through our
bond, she smiled and shook her head.
âIt's a milestone. And hey, at least we donât have to homeschool. I know how much you were looking. forward to learning how to
read all over again,â she joked.
Zane and Mason had lingered over breakfast, deep in conversation, but both showed up now.
I
âMy brother is taking his good old time adjusting,â I sent through my private link to Lanie.
âZaneâs taking care of him. And itâs good for all of us to be a little wary, not complacent.â
My brother was downright trepidatious, but I also could tell that Zane was helping to balance him. It had to be taking a lot out of
our Beta, though.
âI hope this will be a place where we can all let our guards down for a bitâ Lanie leaned into my embrace.
We hadnât talked much about what it meant that Stella could read minds beyond a normal bond link, or that she could read minds
that were supposed to be unreadable Something told me that was a discussion that was going to lead to anything but being able
to let down our guards, but I didnât say so. Instead, I kissed
her.
âDoes this feel like home to you?â I asked, curious about the vampire influence.
Hell, even I could feel it, and I didnât have any varnp in me Before coming here, I hadnât realized how much, of an aura, for lack
of a better word, surrounded wolf kind, and how different it was from each other kind of
âIt's starting to. So fastasesyes she added, answering the question I hadnât asked but only thought. She aughed a little at my
Experosiosional quess Stella inherited her special talent from my side.â
âWhat am I thinking right no new?
My mate grinned, he de omino no to my c rotch. She wiggled her eyebrows, and my co ck stirred. It had een far too long since i
radne naked body under my hands and tongue. No time for that now, sadly.
âHello. You must be Malachuâs omarandaughter mm Vera. And this is Eowanâ A woman as tall as me gently hoved a little boy
forward. Both at the men hao pointed eartips. âHeâll be in class with your little ones.â
âNice to meet you, Lante se dald
I waited until the two had gone out or earshot, atthough, hell, with ears like that, maybe they could hear eyond what i thought
they couto. Whethare of of supernatural are they?â
âFae Zane said in a low voice as ns ce came up to us with Mason, âWe met her husband in the corridor. ice dude. Hey, by the
way, Greyson invitedles us to the enclave training grounds for a workout. I could really use
ne. You in?â
âF uck yeah, Iâm in. Unless our Luna needs see tumed to give her a look, hopeful sheâd say no.
Lane laughed, shaking her heart woulo edes
As stand in the way of you getting to pound and break ings. All three of you, go. My grandfather askeskeiser with me this
morning.â
âShouldn't we be with you?â Zane asked with a from Wide Heâs going to tell you about Stella, right?â
I'm not sure what heâs got to say, but he asked for fotothe be in private. You go,â she said.
1 pounded one fist into my opposite palm, already grinning geareah Letâs go break some sh it.â