Page 52 of Reclaiming Home

“Oh shit, really?”

“Yeah, turns out I’m an Alpha now.”

Moses whistled. “Oh wow. I bet you didn’t see that one coming.”

“Not at all. It was a split-second decision and yeah, the rest is history. Oh, and I found my mate.” I grinned as I could practically hear his brain stalling.

After a few seconds, he said, “What?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Congrats, buddy! I’m happy for you!” I could tell that he really meant it, which made me smile. “Now, I know you wouldn’t just call me to tell me all this, sad as that is. So what’s up?”

“It really is sad. I’m not even going to try and lie about that. But it’s Rian. He had a panic attack and while he’s going to head here in a couple of months….”

Moses sighed. “I understand. I’ll help him as much as I can.”

“Is Simone going to—”

“Right now? Not my concern. She’s on my shit list with something she tried to pull last week, so it’s all okay. If she manages to unfuck the situation, then we’ll see, but I don’t see her having any say in who I help, especially in nonsexual play kind of way for the next couple of months.”

I had rarely heard him this angry, and I could imagine his eyes glowing Alpha red right then.

“You need to talk about it?” I asked gently.

He let out a messy, snarly breath. “No. Yes. But not right now. I’ll bend Rian’s ear. You take care of your own pack first.” He was quiet for a couple of seconds, then added, “I’m glad Rian is coming to you, though. I saw him the other day and he seems worn out. I wish I’d figured out what he needed right then, but better late than never.”

“Definitely. It’s not your job and I assume you were knee deep in whatever this thing with Simone is?”

“Yeah.” He chuckled tiredly, a feeling I could relate to after these calls. “Do you want to call Rian to let him know I’m available whenever he is or…?”

Since Moses worked from home, he’d go with Rian’s schedule.

“I’ll text him and tell him to call you immediately.”

“Okay, sounds good. Take care, buddy, and trust me to take care of Rian.”

I guess I’d needed to hear him say the words, but a weight fell off me. “Thank you.”

“What are friends for, eh?”

“Let me know if there’s anything I should know about with your sessions, and good luck with Simone.”

He snorted. “Thanks, I might need it.”

We said bye, and I messaged Rian.“Call Moses immediately. Then report back to me.”

There was a knock on the doorframe. Kye stood there, looking worried.

“Everything okay?”

I sighed. “Kind of. Come here.”

He walked to stand between my legs, and I hugged him close. He carded his fingers through my short hair and stroked my back.

It still felt miraculous that just breathing in his scent and having his hands on me settled me so much. Soeasily. I’d always had a bit of a temper, but more than that I’d always been a caretaker. Being here instead of taking care of the person who had meant the most to me for years was rough.

Yet my mate petting me calmed me down. Made my skin lose the feeling of tightness, and I shuddered as I relaxed.

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