Page 33 of Alpha's Rise

Looking closely at his friend, Tobias reined in his own anger. “That’s where you’re wrong, because I do. Our lives have been mapped out for us since the moment we were born. I know no other way but to be who I am, but my path has been clear for me. As my second to Romi, I know what that means for you. For your future. I get it, Brother. But the Goddess has plans for us. She knows your heart and soul better than you do. She would not ask this of you without knowing the sacrifice you will need to make. I know what tears you up inside, but I cannot change it. Only the Goddess can bless your union with Romi to make her quicken with your pups.”

Taking a step back, Nathan dropped his head and ran a hand along his eyes. When he raised his gaze back to Tobias, there was acceptance, but also hurt. “I asked Brayden how he did it all these years. How he was able to step back and raise you as his own son, while not having any pups of his own.”

Hearing that Nathan had outright asked Brayden about this took him by surprise. It wasn’t that he ever felt alone or that Brayden didn’t love him or care for him, because Tobias knew that he did. As a child, when he came home to proudly share whatever accomplishment he’d made at school or with the other pack children, Brayden was right there with his mom and dad, celebrating him. Telling him how proud he was. Growing up, he never questioned his role as the favored child, the heir-apparent, the only child of the most powerful Alpha Triad on the US Continent.

What he now realizes he never did, was take note of how Brayden felt. Tobias had always known who his biological father was, and he’d always felt lucky to have his bonus dad. But what did Brayden feel? Did he ever resent his role as second mate to the Queen? Were there private moments between his father and Brayden where they fought and resented each other for both loving Maria so fiercely?

Coming back to the conversation with Nathan, Tobias tried not to show his eagerness to hear what Nathan had to say. “So, what did Brayden tell you? Any words of wisdom?”

Nathan was silent for a moment, as if trying to gather his thoughts. “Only that in public, the Triad must show a united front. That he and your parents had to work out their own dynamic in private. Honestly, I don’t want to think about what that means. But they’ve been happy for more than forty years. They found a balance.” Lifting one hand, he ran his fingers through his hair. “If they found a way, so can we.”

Releasing the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding inside, Tobias nodded. “Yeah, we can.” Walking to the door, he stopped at the threshold. “Seems like you have a lot to think about. Whatever your decision, know that you need to make peace with yourself. You’ve been burdened under the expectations that you thought you had to live up to. It’s time to stop living in the past of ‘what if’ and live in the here and now. I hate to say it, but you and I both know that you belong here. We’re meant to rule our pack together. Don’t fuck up and think you know better than the Goddess.”

With those last words, Tobias exited the room, leaving Nathan with a lot on his mind and some life lessons to consider. Romi’s forgiveness for the way he’d acted had to be somewhere down the road. Maybe not today or even tomorrow, but he knew that it was time he put the anger behind him.

Romi walked quickly as she searched out Tobias’s mother. “This fricking place is huge. How in the hell can I find anyone in this maze? Fuck.” Right as she was on the verge of yelling out the woman’s name, she appeared from around a corner.

Dressed fashionably in a pair of black leather pants, black leather boots with a four-inch heel, and a red silk blouse, the pack Luna was beautiful. No wonder both of her husbands were completely smitten with her.

“Excuse me, your highness,” Romi began.

“Hello, Romi. Just call me Maria. From what I understand, you’ll be part of the family soon. I refuse to have my daughter-in-law use such a formal title.”

“Yes… Maria. Well, what do the other people, um, pack members call you?” Now she was curious and getting off track, but she still wanted to know.

“Queen or Luna, which means the same thing. Tomas is all about formality, especially when we’re out of the house. I don’t care either way. But since I’ve had the title for most of my life, I’m used to it at this point.”

Listening intently, Romi held the other woman’s gaze. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to it. I’m just plain old Romi Sutton. Sister to Layla, eccentric aunt and godmother to Christopher. Oh, and I can control electricity, shoot fire from my fingertips, and have very powerful telekinesis. You know, I’m just a simple girl.” Romi held a straight face until Maria burst out laughing.

“Yeah, there’s nothing simple about you Ms. Romi Sutton. Especially now that you’re the future Luna of our pack and mate to the Alpha Prince and his Beta.”

The reminder of why she was looking to speak with Maria sobered up Romi quickly. “That’s… well, that’s why I was coming to find you. Do you have a few minutes to talk with me about Tobias and Nathan? They’ve tried to explain to me how this all works, but I still have questions. Normally, I’d go to Layla, but I think this may be a bit out of her area of expertise.” Romi was trying to do this the right way. She wanted to be a good Luna, but she wanted to be an even better mate to Nathan and Tobias. Shy of smacking them both in the back of the head, she needed to find a more ‘beneficial’ way to get her mates to cooperate with each other.

“Sure, dear. Let’s go into my sitting room.” Maria began walking and Romi took up next to her. “So, what is it that I can help you with?”

Now that the moment was here, Romi was having second thoughts about coming to Tobias’s mother. She should try to figure this out on her own.

“Romi? Did you have a specific question that you needed to ask me.” They arrived at Maria’s sitting room and the older woman walked over to the bar on the other side of the room. Romi’s hands were sweating from nerves, which never happened to her. Then again, this was a unique situation.

“Yes, I want to know how to be… um… intimate with both Tobias and Nathan so that they both feel they’re getting equal time. I don’t want either of them left out and since Tobias will always be the Alpha, he may want to take priority and make it all about him. If I’m going to be a true mate to both of them, how do I make them both see that. I don’t want them fighting for my time and attention. And since none of my children will be Nathan’s I want to find a way to give something back to him, something that’s only his. I know in public, there’s a hierarchy, and I’m okay with that. But… well, I want to be happy. They both make me feel things. I’m drawn to each of them in a way that I can’t explain.” Romi gave an awkward laugh. “I’m not sure why I’m telling you this. It’s just that, you’re already in a Triad with Tomas and Brayden. I want to know how it works.”

Maria eyes were wide, but she didn’t look upset as Romi vomited words from her mouth. Taking a sip of the wine she’d poured for herself, she stared at Romi for a few more seconds. “Well, that was a mouthful. I’m glad you came to me.” Walking over to the couch, she sat down before patting the space next to her. “Come. Sit. Let’s talk. Because I’m going to tell you a secret.”

Romi sat down, eager to hear what the other woman had to say.

“First thing you need to know is, an Alpha can only rise to the throne once he has fully embraced his destiny. Your bond with Tobias is what will allow him to ascend. Your bond with Nathan is what will create the Alpha Triad. You three need each other more than you think. The unified front you show to the world will strengthen our pack and keep our enemies far away. Your connection with your two men behind closed doors… well, that my dear is where the real magic happens.”

Seventeen

After her talk with Maria, Romi knew that she had some work to do. For so long, she’d only had to worry about herself, her feelings, her wants and needs. If she was going to fully jump into this new world, she had to change her entire perspective. That wasn’t going to be easy. In the past, she’d always been a take charge type of person. If someone didn’t like what she was doing or the life she was living, fuck ‘em. That motto had served her for years.

Walking along the sidewalk in the heart of the city, she tried to envision herself being here for the rest of her life. The main town had just over five-thousand residents. For any other town, that would be small. But when you added in that every person who lived here was a wolf-shifter. More powerful than the average human being, which added an extra special layer to things.

“Afternoon, Ms. Romi.” Following the voice, she noticed a beautiful little girl of about five years old waving at her with one hand, while an older woman, maybe her mother, had hold of the other one.

“Hi, sweetheart. Are you having a good day?” Slowing to a stop, Romi crouched down to put herself at eye level with the child.

“Yes, ma’am. My mom said I should leave you alone, but I like you.”

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