Page 22 of The Alphas' Christmas Mate (Triple L Ranch Shifters 2)

Finton

The alphas welcomed us at the door, our appearance generating great surprise, and inside we found that there were just a few other guests, elders of the pack who, as it turned out, remembered many members of ours. Ludy Lake pack had an old connection with Triple L, but it had been a while since anyone had visited. Still, shifter bonds once formed were long-lasting.

Analise kept plying us with appetizers and eggnog or hot buttered rum as we told them everything from our alpha having hoped we’d get to see them to bolster our friendship to what we found when we returned home.

The alphas listened, asking leading questions and allowing us to explain at our own pace. When we finished, Tadeo set down his hot buttered rum and shook his head. “And Cerine thinks it’s something to do with one of those old mines they’re reopening?”

“She does.” Our mate was currently in the kitchen helping Analise to make the final dinner preparations, so I confirmed that for her. “She can tell you more, but she gave us some tea that helped clear whatever it was out of our system.”

“And you cannot say for sure that every single member of the pack is dead?” Sawyer asked. One of the same questions Cerine had asked. “Other than you two, that is.”

“No, we can’t say for certain. We buried everyone we found, and there were fresh graves, but we don’t know, of course who was buried there, and nobody was alive in the village to tell us,” Trace explained. “The livestock was all gone, too. They were fine animals, all of them. And then we burned most of the village.”

Luckily the alphas didn’t ask what we left standing. I was still uncomfortable with our decision, even though I couldn’t have brought myself to do anything else.

Analise came in then to say dinner was ready, and we all gathered around the table and shared a feast. Roasted beef, goose, mashed root vegetables, the table groaned with the bounty. Over dessert of cakes and pies and our little cookie contribution, Sawyer said, “I think we have some of your animals, don’t we, Tadeo? We found a few cattle, sheep, horses…even chickens lost in the woods. We wondered where they came from.”

“And maybe someone else from your pack will show up, eventually, although I don’t want you to get your hopes up too high. I don’t suppose either of you was in charge of livestock at Ludy Lake?” Tadeo asked.

“I worked with them,” Trace offered. “Is there a job for me here?”

“And I don’t have as much experience, but I did help with herding in the summer pastures as a teen. I would like to work with my husband, if that’s possible. We want to contribute to the pack welfare in gratitude for your allowing us to stay here.” Would they? “If you do tolerate our presence.”

“You and anyone else from your pack who may make their way here are welcome.” Sawyer accepted a piece of apple pie from Analise who was buzzing around like a busy bee and hadn’t sat for more than a moment. “There are jobs for all, as well. The animals we found belong to the two of you, anyway, and it’s an opportunity for you to rebuild your herds while helping with ours.”

Trace had put so much love and work into the animals, I was amazed he didn’t leap up from the table right then, but it would be rude to the alphas and he managed to contain himself until the table was cleared. Then one of the elders who told us he had always worked with the Triple L herds before retiring took him out to the paddocks to show him what they had recovered. He returned a while later with rosy cheeks and so many plans, my heart soared for him. A part of his soul had been restored.

The afternoon wound into evening with the people gathered accepting my husband and I as if they’d known us a long time. The older guests had known our late alpha and some of the others in the past and wanted to share stories about them, which turned into a tribute for all in the pack.

I’d miss them. We both would, but we’d make a life here, where our mate lived and worked as a healer, and it would be a good one. The future felt clear, but it could change. And we’d learned we were nothing if not flexible. Because we were lucky, so lucky to find our mate and to be loved by her. Thanks to her and the other Triple L pack members, we had a home and a good life ahead of us.

And once we got out of the alphas’ party, we’d take her home and show her how much she meant to us.

How much we loved her.

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