Page 26 of Alpha's Twins
I nod, raising a hand in return, but there’s an awkwardness to the motion, a hesitance I can’t quite shake. I see Tristen a little further down the beach, and he looks up at the same time, seemingly catching Callum’s eye as they nod at each other. I groan. The last thing I need is either of my big brothers going in on me today. I’m in no mood for their bullshit.
Jace claps me on the shoulder, and I think he can sense my reluctance. “Want me to run interference?” he asks, his voicesuddenly more sincere, and I remember he’s known me long enough to know the score.
“Nah,” I say, but the thought is tempting. “Let’s just get this over with.”
Jace heads toward a group of Callum’s betas, and I make my way to the water’s edge, where my brothers are waiting together, a united front that’s hard to miss. The sand is warm underfoot, and I can smell the salt and sweat in the air, the mix of it reminding me how different things are down here, away from my mountains.
“Aiden,” Callum says again, grinning like I haven’t spent the last week trying to ignore him. “You made it.”
“Yeah,” I say. “Figured I’d better show up before you think I can’t handle a simple training day.”
Tristen laughs, a short burst of sound. “We never said that, little brother.”
“Sure,” I reply, letting the sarcasm bleed through.
Callum scratches his head, a gesture that’s almost sheepish. “Look, I know we’ve been on your case lately,” he says. “We’re just worried about you. You’ve had a lot on your plate.”
“Yeah,” Tristen adds, his expression more serious. “We’re sorry if it seemed like we were trying to run your pack or take over the search for Malik on your land. We know you can handle it.”
I look at them, trying to gauge their sincerity, trying to swallow the irritation that’s been clawing at me since I got here. “All right,” I say, the words like pebbles in my mouth. “Apology accepted.”
Callum’s grin is relieved, and Tristen claps me on the shoulder. “We just want to help, Aiden. You know that, right?”
“Yeah, I know.” I shift my weight, uncomfortable with the sudden change in tone. “Thanks.”
Their sincerity makes me more uncomfortable than their advice ever did. I’m not used to them backing down like this. “How’s it all going?” I ask, trying to change the subject and escape the sudden closeness. “Looks like you’ve got quite the setup sorted here.”
“Yeah,” Callum says, glancing over the beach. “We’ve got combat drills, endurance runs, and some strategy sessions in the afternoon. Trying to keep the focus, you know?”
“Good luck with that,” I say, watching as a couple of the younger shifters break away and start sprinting toward the water.
Tristen smirks. “I’ll keep an eye on them. Make sure they don’t get too distracted.”
I nod, unsure what else to say, unsure how to bridge the gap that seems to have grown between us. “And Serena?” Callum asks, his tone more careful. “How’s that going?”
“Fine,” I say quickly, but I can tell they’re not buying it. I can tell they’ve already sensed the doubt that literally clings to me whenever I consider the situation with Serena.
“Just fine?” Tristen presses, and there’s a knowing edge to his voice after Emily has been at the house.
I shrug, the gesture more defensive than I intend. “She’s still getting used to the pack. And adjusting to everything.”
“You’re still getting used to it, too,” Callum says, his voice low enough that the others don’t hear. “We get it.”
I want to snap, to tell them they don’t get it, but I know they do. I know they’ve been there, and that’s the most annoyingthing of all. “I’m figuring it out,” I say, and it’s the closest thing to an honest admission I’ve made in weeks.
Callum nods, accepting it for what it is. “If you need anything,” he starts, but I cut him off.
“I’ll let you know,” I say, and there’s a hint of a smile on my lips.
Tristen shakes his head, a grin on his face. “Stubborn as ever,” he says.
“Just like you,” I reply, and watch as his grin widens.
Callum looks between us, and I can see him trying to decide if he should push further or leave it alone. “We’re glad you’re here,” he says, finally. “It’s important.”
And just like that, I feel the shift back to today’s real purpose. With all that happened with Malik, training the younger betas fell by the wayside. Now, even with the threat of his return lingering with the recent fires, it feels like the right time to begin training the younger shifters again. Nothing worse than a younger shifter who’s untrained but whose wolf is driven to combat. If anyone should know that, it’s my brothers and me. Our wolves have always required purpose and direction to function effectively. Looking out over the beach at the young shifters, I suspect these young men and women are no different.
“Then let’s get started,” I say, and we walk back up the beach together. Although they don’t say any more about our recent disagreements, their presence continues to feel like an itch I can’t quite reach as the day wears on.
