Page 6 of Coveted By the Alpha Pack

“How do you want to handle it?” Nicolai’s voice cuts through the silence as he leans forward, his eyes flickering between Griffin and me.

Taking a deep breath, I turn in my seat to address my other mates. “As childish as it’s going to sound, we draw cards. We’ll pull out a deck and each of us will take a card. Whoever ends up with the highest card will start,” I propose, my voice tinged with uncertainty. I know it may not be the most mature approach, but we need to ensure that my current mates are emotionally prepared before mate number six joins us.

The drive home falls into an uneasy silence after the drawing cards idea. My mind is a whirlwind of thoughts, desperately trying to untangle the complicated web of emotions swirling inside me. I need to eliminate the dominant alpha dynamic from this conversation before it tears us apart. Nicolai’s behavior feels off, like he’s jealous of Lorcan, and it’s unsettling. The brothers, on the other hand, seem fine, their bond forged through years of working together. But Barrett... Barrett sometimes struggles with jealousy. His need to be the center of our universe is evident in his actions.

Lost in my thoughts, I barely register our journey until Griffin pulls up in front of the house. Without waiting for the guys to get the door for me, I open mine and step out, determination setting my jaw. I need to stand on my own two feet and fix what is starting to fall apart.

Inside the house, I head straight to the kitchen, a familiar space where I feel in control. Setting out drinks and snacks on the table, I adhere to my belief that a fed alpha is a happy alpha. It’s a small gesture, but one I hope will ease the tension hanging in the air.

As the guys finally make it into the kitchen, I slap the deck of cards on the table, a makeshift solution to guide our conversation. “Barrett, would you mind shuffling, then Conrad, you and Nicolai cut,” I say, preempting the need before they even ask. When the cards are arranged, I look at each of them, steeling myself for what comes next.

Drawing the first card, I slide it in front of me, keeping it face down. Griffin and Ethan follow suit, then Conrad, and finally Barrett. “Nic, when you take yours, flip it face up, and we’ll start with you,” I instruct, trying to maintain some semblance of order. He draws his card, and as he flips it face up, revealing the Queen of Diamonds, a knot forms in my stomach, a mixture of anticipation and apprehension twisting inside me.

Chapter 4

Griffin

- No Rain- Blind Melon-

After Nic pulls the queen of diamonds, her gaze shifts to Barrett, anticipation clear in her eyes. With a playful laugh, he flips his card over, revealing the two of clubs. “Safe...” he declares, a grin playing on his lips as he takes his seat.

Conrad chuckles in response before revealing his own card, a ten of hearts. “Safe...” he echoes, relief clear in his voice.

Ethan goes out of turn and flips his card, revealing the five of Diamonds. “Safe…”

All eyes then turn to Grace, whose expression betrays a mix of nerves and determination. She flips her card over, revealing the queen of clubs. “Tie...” Nic nods in acknowledgment, his attention now fixed on me, waiting expectantly.

I take a deep breath, the weight of the conversation ahead settling heavily on my shoulders. With a steady hand, I flip my card over, revealing the ace of hearts. “I guess I’m starting this conversation off,” I say, my voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in my stomach. Placing my card on the table, I motion towards the den. “Let’s go sit somewhere comfortable.” It’s a small gesture, but one meant to ease the tension and create a safe space for what needs to be said.

As we enter the den, I pour bourbon for everyone from my secret stash, a small act of hospitality to ease the tension that hangs heavy in the air. “I knew you were hiding the good stuff somewhere,” Ethan remarks with a smirk before settling into his favorite recliner. As everyone finds their seats, I pace, my nerves betraying me with each step.

“It’s not easy starting this conversation,” I admit, my voice strained as I struggle to find the right words. “Fuck, I don’t know how to phrase this shit. Conrad, Barrett, you’re the feelings, guys. Help me out here.” The admission that I’m not good at handling emotions gnaws at me, a discomfort I’m unaccustomed to.

“I’ll handle this, Griff,” Barrett asserts, moving to stand beside me. “Emotions are tough for an alpha. You guys have the drive to fight or fuck, but everything in between isn’t in your wheelhouse.” His words ring true, hitting close to home as I exchange a glance with Nicolai, silently acknowledging the truth in Barrett’s assessment.

“Why didn’t you look at Ethan?” I notice the omission. My twin brother skipped over in Barrett’s explanation.

“He’s letting his feelings out with Grace,” Barrett explains, his gaze shifting to Ethan. “He’s learned that it’s okay to be soft and gentle with her in private and a terror in public.” The revelation catches us all off guard, Ethan’s openness a stark contrast to the stoicism we’re accustomed to.

“Yeah, Griff, I’ve come to terms with the fact there was at least one more mate out there for Gracie,” Ethan adds, his admission hanging heavy in the air. “The minute she said there were two more shadows and one was already here. I talked to mom at length about it.”

“Okay, so I’m the asshole, then?” I can’t help but feel a pang of guilt, questioning my own actions as I look at Barrett for reassurance.

“Not even close,” Barrett responds firmly, shaking his head. “It takes a while for a family to truly come together. Our wolves tell us who our person is, but it takes our minds longer to catch up.” His words offer a glimmer of understanding.

“The jealousy you’re feeling is natural and normal,” Barrett continues, turning his attention to Nicolai. “Grace fought the bond with you because no one knew about the shadows to tell her there were more mates.” He pauses, his gaze softening with empathy. “I understand where you’re coming from. Initially, I was jealous of Grace, too. Jealous that she can give my guys babies and I can’t. But I’m okay now because Gracie and I have been talking about my feelings.” His smile is genuine, a reflection of the progress we’ve made in navigating the complexities of our relationship. “She’s allowed me to be extremely hands-on with the babies, so I get to experience everything with her.”

Barrett moves with purpose, positioning himself before Nicolai and tilting his head in a gesture of concern. “What’s really bothering you about Lorcan? My Omega senses are tingling. I know there’s something beyond jealousy,” he probes gently. My attention sharpens as I catch a subtle twitch in the corner of Nicolai’s eye. It’s his tell, a sign that he’s trying to conceal something from the rest of us.

“What aren’t you telling us, Nicolai?” I interject, turning in my chair to face him directly, my concern evident in my voice.

With a heavy sigh, Nicolai finally breaks his silence. “You want the truth? Fine, here’s the truth. He can’t protect Grace. Even Barrett can protect Grace better than he can. How are we going to be comfortable leaving her in his care?” His words hang in the air, hitting me with a weight I hadn’t expected. It’s a perspective I hadn’t considered, and it rattles me to the core.

“So, just because he’s blind, he’s not worthy?” Grace’s voice cuts through the tension as she rises from her seat, her frustration palpable. I know that look in her eyes; she’s getting pissed.

“Yes... I mean no...” Nicolai stammers, his confidence wavering under Grace’s scrutiny. It’s clear that Grace’s safety is his primary concern, overshadowing any thoughts of her having another mate.

“I can protect myself,” Grace asserts firmly, her words ringing with a quiet strength. “If you’ve forgotten, I can summon the packs to me. Barrett is always with me, unless he has to work. And when he’s not available, I have Conrad or one of you by my side.” She crosses the room, settling onto Nicolai’s lap and tenderly grasping his face, searching his eyes with her own. “Would it make you feel better if I kept a few betas from your pack with me when I’m home with Lorcan?” she suggests, her tone softening as she tries to reassure him.

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