Page 21 of Return of the Alpha

“Well, unless youwant everyone smelling my wet pussy, you better stop.”

Grabbing hershoulders, I turn her to face me. “Don’t say shit like that to me.You’ll end up living in a cabin on a cliff where no human orshifter will ever see you.”

“Are youjealous?”

“Very fuckingmuch.”

“So am I,” shewhispers.

“Let’s hear whatthey want, eat their food, and go home,” I suggest, making herlaugh.

“Sounds like a goodidea.”

We walk into thekitchen, hand in hand, to find Peyton and Caine already seated atthe table.

“Grab some food,”Peyton says with a smile. “We can talk and eat at the sametime.”

I get to work onmaking coffee while my mate stacks two plates of food. We movearound each other in a fluid dance you would think we have beendoing for years. Soon enough we are seated and eating.

“I assume yourmating bond has been set?” Caine asks, to which we both nod. “I’mhappy for both of you. Truly. Finding your fated mate is always areason to celebrate.”

“Thank you,” I replybefore kissing the side of April’s head.

“We do have somethings to discuss,” Peyton says, not making eye contact but staringover my shoulder.

“Do you want us toleave?” April blurts out. “I know it’s not normal for a panther anda wolf to be mates and he’s your father and all, but you said…”

Peyton is out of herseat and hugging my mate before I can say a single thing.

“You are not goinganywhere!” my daughter says vehemently. “You’re part of our packand now you’re basically my stepmom.”

“Ew,” Aprilgrumbles, slipping out of Peyton’s chokehold. “I’ll settle for justbeing pack and friend, maybe family. But don’t say stepmom everagain.”

“Agreed,” Peytonsays with a smile. “It felt unnatural.”

Peyton returns toher seat, but I don’t miss the look she shares with her mate.

“If you don’t wantus to leave, what is this about?” I ask, getting straight to thepoint.

“We know you’re anewly mated couple and need time to yourselves, but we have aproblem,” Caine says, his arms crossed on his chest. “Talon, Max,and the twins went on a raid last night…”

****

April

“Are they okay?” Iask not letting him finish.

“They’re fine,”Caine says with a smile. “But they found something and none of usare really equipped to deal with it.”

“Just spit it out,Caine,” James says, grabbing my hand. “What is going on?”

“There is a litterof panthers at Sapphire’s house,” Peyton cuts in. “We know they’reshifters because everyone can scent it, but we think they’re stillyoung and none of them have shifted back into human form yet.”

“A litter,” Istammer out.

“Yes,” she nodsquickly. “Five.”

“Fuck me,” Jamescurses lowly.

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