The bonfire had been a success, like the previous years. Everybody was happy, in the mood for celebrations, still jolly and Christmas-y. Except for three: Vincent, Diwa, and Ma'Heron…
Di couldn't stop herself from thinking about what her elder brother was doing. She knew that he felt guilty for what happened to her so many years ago, but this way of protecting her was excessive, even for someone like Ma'Heron Denar.
Despite their closeness, she was angry at him. She also couldn't stop thinking about what she would do to him if he continued being a dick about who her mate was.
"You went too far this time, brother. I thought you already eased up on Aaron, but I swear…" she muttered to herself as she continued her thoughts and swearing inside her head.
However, buried in the back of her mind was a niggling feeling that she couldn't ignore…
This is off. My brother never gets drunk! He has such a high alcohol tolerance, even more than the normal wolf. He would have to drink a lot and continue to do so to get to the point that he was at when he argued with A. Besides, I don't believe he would do that due to emotional reasons. That's Ma'Heron, damn it!
And that wasn't all.
Ma'Heron was the third in command of the Silvercrest Pack. He was so responsible with his duties and his image, that even if she didn't live with the wolves anymore, she knew he would never do what he just did without a logical reason.
Picking a fight with his Beta too, who, even if they treat each other as brothers, is still higher in rank than him. Plus, almost disrespecting the Alpha, in front of everyone?
She was sure that he would soon get in trouble if he continued this self-contradicting action. If not for the only two people that were above his rank caring for him deeply, and understanding him enough to forgive him for what he did while drunk, he would be in a mess already.
Most likely already sent to an untimely "vacation" by the Alpha…
Is that what you want, brother, to be suspended from your duties and rank? I can't understand what you're doing. Why are you so affected by this? Why are you having such a hard time accepting my mate? This is not you!
"Hey, pumpkin pie, why the long face?" Aaron asked her as they went on their way back up to his apartment.
"Oh? It's nothing, just remembering what happened tonight."
"Which part, lollipop? I mean, you looked so happy until a few minutes ago. Tell me what's wrong. We can fix it," Aaron assured her with his sweetest smile while gazing deep into her eyes.
"I know you can but I'm telling you now, A, it's really nothing," Di said as she forced a smile.
"Alright, then," Aaron answered, pushing himself to leave the topic for later.
If she doesn't wanna talk about it, I can't force her to tell me… for now.
"Hmm, you must be tired then," he cheerily stated, trying to change the mood. "I'll prepare a bubble bath for you, would you like that? Warm, scented, bubbly water, a special massage after, with soft music playing in the background…"
"That sounds amazing, but aren't you overworking yourself too much?" she asked as they stepped into the lift.
"What? Having you naked in my arms is overworking myself? Oh, Goddess, where was that job my whole life?!" he guffawed, wrapping her in his arms from behind and softly tickling her neck with his light beard.
She couldn't stop herself from laughing, and his smile widened at her reaction…
"See? That. That is what I live for," he said softly, then turned her around to kiss her tenderly before they reached their floor.
* * *
"Come on kids, we need to get back to our apartment. Mommy is already tired, and I know you are too."
The loud laughter and giggles of toddlers were all the answer Siel got.
V, the Alpha, sat beside his sister, Lena, with a big bright smile. They were the last people still sitting by the fire, along with their mates. They watched Elena and Serg running after four kids that were given too much candy and soda during the celebration.
"I've never seen you this happy," Lena said to her brother.
"I've never been this happy," Vince admitted, then suddenly an unwelcome thought invaded his mind…
It was the only dark spot in an otherwise perfect evening,
Ma'Heron had been my friend for my whole life. We're the same age, and in many ways, too similar. The way we are with our responsibilities, the way we deal with the pack, our families, and even personal issues… What the hell is happening to you, bro?
Lena saw the sudden shadow crossing her brother's face.
"Aha! I was wondering when you'll let THAT show up."
"Show up… What do you mean?"
"I've known you for my whole life, brother. Don't try to hide it from me."
Vincent took a deep breath. "I wish I could hide it from me. A little more, and I would've had to use my rank on him… and for the first time in our lives, Len…"
"I know. But of course, you probably figured out already that there's something more to this, didn't you?"
"Yeah… Will have to talk to him later. I just hope that he has a reason… A fucking good one, too…"
Siel approached the siblings, panting hard. She was warmly welcomed by a pair of large and longing arms, wrapping her tight as soon as she stepped into them.
"Tired already, princess?" V joked, stifling his laughter.
"Whose idea was it to give them soda and candy, again?" she asked weakly, still trying to catch her breath.
"Yours," said the Riegel siblings at the same time.
"Oh my God, really!? Stop me next time, please."
"You were tipsy then. But ok, I'll help you catch them so we can go back to my apartment," he said sweetly, still holding her against his toned body. "It's way past bedtime, after all." "Bedtime?" she blurted out in a disappointed tone and a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, you want me to say my real intentions in front of your new sister and her mate? I have no problem with that. So, we will get naked, and then…"
Siel's hand quickly raised her hand to cover his mouth. "Ok, ok, understood! Bedtime! I like the idea. Let's get the kids."
V playfully tried to bite her hand as his mate's face turned crimson red. Lena giggled as Serg brought their two captured toddlers over, who were also gleefully laughing.
Meanwhile, Rose and James took this chance to start giggling as well, running even faster to get away from their Daddy V, who was now close to catching them.
Soon all eight, that's four adults with their four children, were already riding one of the Packhouse's elevators to get to their floors. Sleep will not easily come for all of them though…
* * *
In a different part of the Packhouse, the Gamma was in bed with his wife and mate. Alexia was fast asleep on his wide muscular chest as he caressed her smooth naked back. As she nuzzled closer to him, her hug tightening around his firmly defined six-pack, he allowed his thoughts to drift away to places he didn't exactly like.
He knew he had no choice but to face them for the sake of his pack, his family, and his sister…
Damn it, I hate all of this… drama. But this situation will be worse if I don't complete my tasks, no matter how distasteful they are to me. If it wasn't for the confirmation I received earlier, that little unsavory scene at the bonfire didn't have to happen. At least, not yet. Alexia is here at home with me after several months while my sister is finally back here after so many years, and that was the worst welcome I could have done…
The Gamma's mobile suddenly brightened up a corner of his bedside table. Ma'Heron reached for it, and his grim expression turned darker, despite the illumination of his phone's screen. He curbed the urge to throw his mobile back onto the table upon reading the message that was sent to him by his "contact".
Damn it! Little sis, I hope you're ready for what's coming your way… Correction, our way…