Page 107 of Red River

"We’re sorry for the intrusion," the alpha muttered. "But it’s our duty to act when there’s a potential risk ofMusth. The consequences can be serious for the entire family."

"I get it, that’s your job. No hard feelings—if anything, our issue is with Nelson and Vernon’s… overzealous initiative. Anyway, it’s time for you guys to go. I’m sure the counselor will keep you updated. He’s that type," Archer added with a crooked smirk.

Once the agents left, it was just the four of us—Igor, Archer, silent Van, and me. Oliver was in the kitchen, but he kept glancing toward us while preparing dinner.

"Sit down, Igor," I said, and he dropped onto the couch.

I sat next to him, reaching for his hand. He hesitated for a second before letting me take it.

"I know things haven’t exactly been smooth, but you can always come to me and tell me how you’re feeling… What happened yesterday—it was a lot for all of us. Overwhelming. And I think we were so focused on your physical state that we forgot to ask how you were doing emotionally. I’m sorry, Igor. If you need to talk about it—the fear, what you felt—"

Igor gave me a weird look. "Honestly? I’d rather just go train. Physical effort always helps me shake off negative stuff," he admitted, glancing at Archer, who sent him a small smirk.

"Spoken like a true alpha," Archer said, and I could practically feel the pride radiating from Igor. Well, that was definitely different from how I would react, but by now, I had long stopped imposing my omega ways on the alphas in this house.

Only Van grimaced slightly, but nobody seemed to notice except me. But I was far too overjoyed to let myself be distracted.

Igor coughed. "I might have exaggerated a bit to get them off my back," he added with a sneaky smirk.

I gaped. "Igor! And I was worried…"

"It was for a good cause, Dad!"

Archer sighed. "To be honest, the omega agent didn’t fall for it either—I could tell. But the test results were on our side, and that’s what matters most."

He placed a hand on Igor’s shoulder, nodding slightly. Igor responded with a small nod of his own.

Seeing Igor and Archer’s bond strengthen—becoming something real—meant everything. Archer’s energy had already stabilized Igor’s, an invisible force at work, the threat ofMusthwas no longer on the horizon.

But there was an unexpected bonus!

Through my empathic link with Archer, I had begun to understand Igor on a deeper level. It was as if I could see my son through Archer’s eyes, feel the energy flowing between them. Our newly formed True Mate Bond wasn’t just connecting us—it was also reinforcing Igor’s own developing structure, grounding him in a way I hadn’t anticipated.

A new understanding and appreciation emerged within me. In a way, Archer stabilizing Igor’s energy reminded me of my own instinct for nest-building. I had always sought out stable structures, places where I could feel safe. Now, it was all starting to fit together beautifully, like pieces of a puzzle.

All subgenders had their own ways of finding stability, even if, on the surface, the methods seemed so different.

Archer looked at me, almost as if he were partially aware of my musings, and said, "There’s something important we need to tell you all. Go grab your brothers and have them join us."

Igor raised an eyebrow at me. "What, are you pregnant or something?"

"Just get your brothers, and we’ll talk," Archer told him, settling into the couch.

Igor darted up the stairs, returning moments later with his younger brothers, who looked a little nervous—clearly aware that something big was going on.

"Where are the agents? Are they taking Igor?" Lake asked Archer anxiously, his eyes rimmed with the remnants of tears.

Aiden looked just as tense, and that’s when I realized something—the bond between them hadn’t been irreversibly broken. The brothers still wanted Igor with us, they still cared.

Relief washed over me—this family was healing!

My gaze landed on Archer’s manly, handsome face. This guy was mine! And he was doing wonderful things for my family!

But I wasn’t the only one staring at Archer with intensity. All my sons were somehow gathered around him.

"They’re gone, Lake," Archer said calmly.

Lake immediately climbed onto Archer’s lap, resting his head on his chest—a gesture that made me swoon.

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