Evelyn POV
Things were starting to become clearer as to why Reuben had such a cold hostile exterior all those years ago.
His father!
I never really asked back then what type of a man my Dad and I had entered a binding marriage contract with…but now I was starting to understand.
Reuben clearly missing the supportive gentle love of a mother all those years. His father causing him emotional harm that would take me years to get to the bottom of. But I didn’t care, I had scars too.
But why has his father sent me the fake photograph? I couldn’t contemplate the questions for long as Reuben was determined to get some food into me after last night. He was right…I was starving.
Last night had sent all my senses on high alert, I even found myself angling my neck willing him to mark me. My skin still held the goosebumps from his hunger for me. Every part of my body tingled at his touch, and I was already craving more.
As we walked downstairs hand in hand, I could already hear the hushed tones at the kitchen table. We walk in to find all eyes on us, even Rex’s and Elspeth’s. I automatically let go of Reuben’s hand. Maybe they weren’t ready to see us together just yet?
“Good morning, Alphas. A good night?” Pierce’s pearly white smile greets me as I sit at the table, his eyes not leaving me once. I scowl playfully back at him as a chuckle leave his lips, before he sips on a mug of coffee. I may have showered last night but I didn’t this morning, I’m mortified knowing Reuben’s semen has left traces of its scent over my breasts. I wiped what I could but without a full shower, it has left a slight trace. A small trace, only just noticeable by an alpha’s sense of smell. Reuben full well knowing what Pierce’s alpha nose is able to pick up, has a smug smile on his face, chest puffed out.
“Tea?” Reuben asks me, as his head bends down and places a firm yet soft kiss on my mouth…in front of everyone.
“Please.” I can’t but help lean into his kiss, the mate bond pulling me closer to him. It will continue to work its spell until we have marked each other, and even after that. My parents were very much fated mates, always sharing kisses, always showing their love for one another. I have a feeling Reuben’s upbringing wasn’t filled with love like mine.
“When you’re done irritating Evelyn, I need a word with you Pierce, in private!” Reuben’s voice has a slight growl showing his annoyance at Pierce’s delight in teasing, as he places my freshly made cup of tea in front of me. I personally find his playful tones a welcomed distraction on how serious our lives have been of late.
“I am as always at your majesty’s service.” He fake bows standing up and placing his cereal bowl on the kitchen side before they both walk out to use my office.
“Mummy, what are we doing today?” Elspeth asks as she feeds bunny a piece of croissant covered in chocolate spread. The chocolate spread completely transferring onto bunny’s fluffy soft smile. I look to Noah who is reading over a report whilst Cassandra is watching my every movement.
“Well today we are going to the Blue Moon pack to see Alpha Ivo, Milo and Candice. Remember? It’s Daddy’s and Cassandra’s mating ceremony tonight My eyes cast to Cassandra who has continued to watch me carefully. No malice behind her eyes, just watching me.
“Kids why don’t you go upstairs and brush your teeth? Then you can help me pack before I confirm security details for our visit.” Elspeth jumps from her chair whereas Rex is like a teenager already, slumped shoulders showing how much he doesn’t want to do as I asked.
Once they have climbed the stairs, I return my mind to Cassandra and Noah, Noah still reading the report, oblivious to Cassandra’s constant gaze upon me.
“Are you nervous?” I ask her, sipping on the tea Reuben made me.
“A little…” Her eyes cast down, her fingers starting to pull at each other in a sign of apprehension.
“Don’t be, it’s only packs attending that are part of our alliance. That know Noah and would only want the best for him and you. These are our friends Cassandra.” I give her a soft smile, trying to ease her anxiety.
Noah’s hand moves to Cassandra’s hands as he pulls them to his mouth and places a supportive kiss on them.
“Evelyn is right, nothing to fear…”
I wanted to tell Noah about Reuben’s father being linked behind the photograph, of him posing a small threat but I’m determined for tonight to go well for them, for Cassandra to feel as a wanted member of this pack and family.
“I actually need to visit Beatrice and Donnie, to see how she is getting on. Are you both okay to listen out for the children…I won’t be long.” I need to see if Donnie would be up for coming with us, for helping to keep a close eye on the children.
“Of course, not a problem.” Noah’s eyes barely tear themselves away from the report, what was on that damn thing that engrossed him so much.
Walking to Donnie’s and Beatrice’s house, I regret coming as soon as I knock on the front door. I could hear her sharp breathing even from outside. Which doesn’t sit well with me. Maybe she should now be back in hospital?
“Alpha…” Donnie answers the door, his face surprised at my unannounced visit.
“What can I do for you?”
“I actually wanted to see how Beatrice was doing?”
“Come on in…She’s doing well….”
Hhmm I don’t quite believe him. I find her laying on the sofa in front of the television, a blanket wrapped tightly around her as she is slightly propped up with a cushion.
“Alpha..” She wheezes out to me, trying to sit up to greet me.
“Shh, don’t move. Oh Beatrice, how are you feeling?”
“I’m doing find Alpha…”
“Beatrice, I’ve been pregnant, I know too well what this stage can feel like and that was without a serious accident. You don’t need to pretend with me.” I stroke a piece of stray hair away from her face and tuck it behind her ear.
“She’s strong. She’ll give Harry a run for his money.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“I don’t like her state Noah, she’s weaker than I had hoped.” I mind-link Noah wanting him to come and visit her before we leave. I know exactly what has happened, they’ve known the hospital has been under strain with the rogue attack that they’ve kept her deteriorating state hidden from Noah and I. Inside I am fuming at them both, for not being more honest.
“I think you need to go back to hospital …” I calmly breathe out to Beatrice knowing that I can’t ask Donnie to come with us, to be on close protection detail with the children.
“Oh no Alpha that’s not necessary…” Beatrice tries to calm my growing annoyance.
“Beta Noah is on his way, he will assess you and I will ensure you have a bed Beatrice. You shouldn’t have kept this from me.” I look to Donnie not hiding my anger in my aura that is released on to him. He stills, before his head turns slightly into a submission.
The child is theirs but I had a sacred duty to ensure all pack members had the best chance of survival and that included those within the womb.
Reuben pov
Something was on Evelyn’s mind, she had been quiet for the entire journey to the Blue Moon pack. She hadn’t even showered, I could still smell my scent all over her. My mind journeys back to this morning where I ate her out and then sprayed myself all over her firm tight breasts. Even the memory made me twitch in my pants.
The relief I’ll feel once I mark her and can feel her emotions..
Nate had gone in the opposite direction back to the Red Stone pack and judging by Donnie’s non attendance in the security detail, Evelyn decided against bringing him along. No matter, I can mind-link my own men and can keep better watch on the children knowing mine and my warrior’s eyes are on them constantly.
Evelyn didn’t want to come in my red sports car, she seems to have a problem with it. She wanted to drive one of the pack SUVS but Rex had begged for her to let him and Elspeth come in my car, and she decided not to refuse. Good girl, I’d be driving no matter what. Albeit this car or one of hers.
We made it to the Blue Moon pack followed by a large convoy which not only included my warriors and Evelyn’s but also Pierce’s.
Once arrived I could see just how much money had been ploughed into this event… It was far too grand for a beta’s ceremony. Candice being left to organise the event was a bad choice on Evelyn’s part, she clearly went overboard. Evelyn clearly provided the finances to pay for this event which crated on me.
Alpha Ivo, Milo and Candice did the mandatory meet and greet before showing us to our rooms, they had given us the same as last time, except made the presumption that Evelyn and I would now share the master suite with the balcony….they weren’t wrong.
Once shown to our rooms, Candice offered to take the children to the play park as something odd was happening in Cassandra’s room.
“What’s going on down there?” I peer over the top banister looking down at the endless dresses and boxes being carried into Cassandra’s assigned room.
“That’s the stylists for tonight.”
Candice shrugs as if I should know. With a quirked eyebrow at me, followed by a smirk she starts to walk down the stairs, children in tow. Elspeth is chatting away to Candice whereas Rex looks like he wants to be anywhere but here.
“I’ll come down in a bit, you can help me with border secure duties…” I offer to Rex, his face lighting up at my invitation to join me.
“Is that wise, he’s only four.” Evelyn’s disapproval catches me from behind as her arms wrap around my chest.
“It’s a ploy to get him away from too much girly things, I won’t venture too far.” I loved how protective she was of the children, how I know if anything happened to me she’d continue to be strong for them. Because she’s already made it this far without me.
“This is very extravagant…” I turn, lifting her up in my arms, wrapping her own legs around my waists as she tries to fight out of my hold, worried someone was watching.
“Reuben.” She squeals as I drop her on the bed but continue to hold her.
“Have you paid for this event?” I press my command on to her to get the truth. The rolling of her eyes is the answer I need.
“Why?”
“They deserve this, I want to make amends.”
“Amends for what?” I lean in closer, my nose touching hers.
“Reuben, her mate is the adoptive father to our children. Don’t you see, I’ve ruined her mate bond before it even started. Vicky’s deceit hasn’t only affected you and me, but Noah too. I don’t know, it’s just a small way of trying to make it up to them.”
“Then I’ll pay…”
“What no.” She tries to push me away from her but I wasn’t having any of it.
“Vicky is my doing, I’ll pay.”
“I’m not arguing with you about money.”
“Then don’t argue with me.” I place my lips very slowly on the nook of her neck, where my mate mark will be.. sucking on it which releases instant aroused hormones into the close air around us. Maybe we had time for a quick one.