She laughed at that as she stepped back so Mom could smother me in a bear hug.
"Archer, Wayne, and Wade went to work with Dad today, but Peri isn't free to babysit Wesley and the heathens, so we brought them along. Sorry in advance for whatever they break."
Mom's smile was bright, but I could see the tired lines around her eyes. Winnie and William were busy boys and, on top of being pregnant, she probably tired out quickly.
"Wait! I think I can find us a babysitter," I chirped.
"Oh? Who?"
I held up my index finger as I linked him.
Tyler, what are you doing today?
Just hanging out with Rube,he linked back right away. You need something, luna?
Rube?
Reuben Ford. Wyatt's gamma,he clarified.
Oh. Well, Mom and Mama are here to help me plan my luna ceremony, but we need a babysitter for Wesley, William, and Winnie. If you're busy, I can ask someone—
No, we'll do it, he linked back.Rube needs something to occupy his mind, anyway. He's still on sick leave and is getting bored, even though he doesn't really feel up to doing much.
Will watching the boys be too hard on him?I worried.
Never fear, luna. I have a great idea that will work for everyone. We'll be there in about ten minutes.
Smiling, I thanked him, then told Mom what was happening. She was fine with Tyler and Reuben babysitting. Tyler had watched the babies before, she said, and Wesley didn't need much watching. All he wanted was companionship and attention, which William and Winnie often stole from him.
As promised, within ten minutes, the doorbell rang and I went to let Tyler in. Throwing open the door, I found him and who I took to be Gamma Reuben on the porch.
"Thank you so much for this," I told them both.
"Never a problem, luna. Have you two met?"
"I haven't met any of the gammas yet." I twisted my fingers together and my eyes dropped to the floor.
"We'll have to fix that. For now, though, this is Reuben Ford, Alpha Wyatt's gamma. Rube, this is Luna Posy Briggs."
"It's nice to meet you." I leaned closer to Tyler and looped my arms around his, hoping to avoid a handshake.
"It's an honor and a pleasure to finally meet you, luna."
I forced myself to look up at him.
He was covered in tattoos - he even had a pretty lotus flower on his neck! - stood about Jayden’s height of six foot three, and was obviously of Asian heritage with his thick, straight black hair and deep brown eyes. Those eyes were underscored with dark shadows, though, and never reflected the smile his mouth was trying to make.
My mates hadn't told me details, but whatever this man had endured while imprisoned at Tall Pines had hurt something deep inside him.
Does he have a mate?I linked Tyler. He looks old enough to find one.
No, and he's nineteen.
A mate would help him recover faster.I bit my lip. I hope he finds one soon.
The witches are helping him as they can, but, yeah.Tyler sighed.He's better than he was, luna, and that's all we can ask for, right?
Right.