Page 86 of Betrayed Alpha Bride

Chapter 26 - Galen

Music swirls through the air, throbbing through my body and making me move my feet. I hold on to Nico’s hands as we spin around, perfectly balanced against each other’s weight.

The tune changes abruptly, and we try to change direction, but both of us are too dizzy, and we twist together to fall into a heap on the ground.

Nico belows with laughter as he falls against my chest, wriggling with bliss. I dig my fingers into his ribs and tickle him, making him giggle even harder.

“I have to say that was a decent effort,” Winnie says, standing over us. “But you just couldn’t beat my skill.”

“It takes skill to spin around and change directions on cue?” I ask.

Winnie grins, an expression of pure evil. “Obviously, it does, because me and Jerry kicked your asses.”

“Point taken,” I mutter, rubbing my sore butt.

“Here you go, kiddo,” Winnie says, handing Nico a huge lollipop. “Even though you lost, you get a prize, anyway.”

“Thanks, Aunt Winnie,” Nico says. “If you want to keep up your winning streak, don’t go up against me in ping pong, okay?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Winnie says, sounding baffled. “I have never lost a game in my life!”

Nico laughs. “Bad memory, then. It’s okay, I’ll let you off because it’s your birthday.”

“Galen,” Winnie says, glaring at me over Nico’s head. “What are you teaching this child?”

“Forget about me,” I mutter. “You’re the one teaching him how to cheat.”

“I don’t have to cheat, Dad,” Nico says, looking seriously into my eyes. “Not around Aunt Winnie. She’s just that incompetent.”

I burst out laughing, and Nico does, too. I tickle him again, and we roll around and play fight for a bit.

“I am leaving this madness!” Winnie declares in mock outrage. “I will not be subjected to this on my birthday! Come along, Jerry.”

Jerry gives us an apologetic look. He points after Winnie, shrugs, and follows her.

“They seem like best friends,” Nico remarks.

“Winnie enjoys having a slave, that’s all,” I mutter, chuckling.

“I don’t know. She helps him with the dishes most of the time, and gardening, too.”

“Hmm,” I answer. “Maybe they are best friends, then, but we better not tell them. If Winnie becomes aware of it, she might shift the dynamic.”

“Noted,” Nico laughs. “I’m going to play with the other kids, okay?”

“Sure thing, kiddo. Have fun!”

Nico jumps up and races down the backyard towards the big group of kids playing there. He’s made friends with everyone in school, and there’s no awkwardness at all about him being different.

Changes are being made, but we have to be especially careful with our next generation. We can’t let George’s poison infect anyone else, because our pack is going to embrace new growth and let go of the past.

I get up off the ground, dusting grass from my jeans as I head towards the picnic table. There’s been a huge turnout for Winnie’s birthday, with more than half the pack here to celebrate. I shoulder through the crowd to grab a cold beer, then retreat to the edge of the table.

Sitting over with other older pack members, I see Agnes. She was interrogated after George’s death. Though most of us are sure she had nothing to do with his plan, we are keeping her under close watch, and she seems to be doing everything possible to convince us she is committed to the pack.

Well, she might just be trying to avoid getting eviscerated by my mother.

“Hey, bro.” Winnie appears by my side, jiggling my elbow and making me spill my beer.

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