The Alpha & Beta’s Regret – Chapter 71

Jack POV

He was back in his office, had spent the morning after Alari left the pack stressing that she was out there in the lake, unprotected and vulnerable to an attack from Victor. If that man was watching for her to leave in Siren form, he could well know all the places that left the pack via creeks.

He’d also now read the entire report from their pack doctor, regarding what was in that dart Victor had used to tranquilise Luci, and take down Alari at the same time. That dart had been filled with not only wolfsbane but also a high dose of Midazolam. It stated there was enough Midazolam used not just as a calmative to reduce anxiety and stress, but enough to induce sleepiness. That the dose detected would have worked fast, about a minute or so, combined with the wolfsbane that took Luci and Kali down, it might have even been less.

Victor knew way more about Sirens than he did, and now she was out there all alone in the lake, had been all morning and into the afternoon. Hadn’t returned to the pack until after lunch.

The twins he knew had not moved either, they were still at the Forest Creek House, waiting for their mother to return. He could feel them both through the pack tether now, also through his father-son bond. Knew they were fine, so he could only presume, so was Luci.

He’d lost her the moment she’d left the pack, severed herself from him or the pack at will, or perhaps just because the lake was considered her pack, his link to her was gone. He didn’t understand that, but seems she could do that at will. Likely why they had never been able to feel her all these years. She didn’t want them to, so they just couldn’t. It was something to do with them being a Triune, he guessed.

He had to presume she was fine because the twins were fine, they had known she was in trouble in town and gone to her aid. Though had that been because Alari had used her siren call and they’d heard it? Or was it their mothers’ fear or anger they’d felt? He didn’t know, but they felt everything that really affected her. She had been angry at Orien and the twins had shifted and gone right into protection mode.

They’d also already responded to her emotions twice today, at the Forest Creek House and on the way there, though that second time hearing her tell them. ‘It would happen often, best to just ignore it.’ That bothered him.

Jack didn’t exactly know if the boys understood why she suddenly had pain, or was upset. He could only hope not, if they worked it out before he and Rafe could fix things, or find out the truth about just what the hell was going on inside this pack with their Mates. It could ruin their bond with the boys, and if that was gone; stripped away completely. She or Alari would have no reason at all to stay here.

Jack not only wanted Luci here, but he needed it, loved her, just couldn’t tell her yet what was going on, without proof she’d likely not believe it. Would have her own feelings on the situation he supposed.

He knew deep down that Luci only stayed close by because of the twins, or maybe because Alari had been born in the lake and claimed it. He knew that Luci wasn’t mean or spiteful, she did have a caring heart and deep down, even though she’d not stayed here within the pack. She’d kept the boys close. Likely even had some sort of contingency plan if there was real danger.

Those two boys knew who they were, also knew what a pack was. Where their pack was, he also guessed. If trouble came to her or she didn’t return for some reason, collect them from school. He was willing to bet those two would have come right here to the pack. Would have walked right on past the border patrols.

They smelled like pack members, hell were the spitting image of him and Rafe. None of the patrollers would have stopped them, they would have felt the pack connection to both the boys and let them pass, even if they didn’t recognise them. Likely mind-linked right to he and Rafe about it but not stopped them. Would also have defended them if they had been seen to be pursued by someone as well, again just because they had the pack’s scent on them.

He felt Alari come back into the pack and sagged with relief as his connection to her re-established. He wasn’t the only one, it seemed, concerned. He’d heard Rafe sigh and actually murmur, “Thank the Goddess.”

Rafe was at his desk working on defence plans with Petra, who was leaning on his desk. They were prepping for war. Allen and Ian were out in the pack, in control of all the pack warrior’s training. Extra training was being attended right that minute.

He was attending to human world related pack business, answering emails, and making phone calls to their pack’s office in the city. Petra had looked from Rafe to him and then just laughed “You know boys.” She chuckled “I don’t think I’ve even seen you respond to your own Mate’s coming home like that.”

She was not wrong, he thought, or not after that first year anyway. He let it go, he didn’t need to explain things to her, if she wanted to ask questions, she would. Petra was also Alpha-blooded, would just ask or state whatever she felt like. Was their top Elite Warrior and Rafe’s cousin, she got a lot of respect from everyone.

Petra had also been around before Luci was theirs. After they’d brought her home, she knew how much they had liked the girl. Hadn’t slept with a single other she-wolf the entire time she’d been here. There was no need. Luci sated them as much as they did her.

Petra had also liked Luci, enjoyed not only putting Luci through elite training, but also Kali as well. Luci could fight and Kali was fierce as well. Pure Alpha-blooded, she was fast and deadly when needed to be, had protected this pack like everyone else when rogues came in, there was no stopping her. Not even Jack telling her to stay in the packhouse worked, she’d raised an eyebrow and told him ‘I’m an alpha warrior Jack, I’ll fight like the rest.’ It was not what he wanted, had never wanted her out on the pack border, wanted her protected inside the packhouse where his Luna should always be.

He felt Luci actively connecting with not just him but Rafe as well that afternoon, just after 3pm ‘Alpha, Beta. The boys like the house, we will accept it.’ she stated simply, formally. Didn’t use their names, and was addressing them as though she was a standard pack member, and not their once long-time lover and friend, mother of their children even.

He smiled though, for it was her actively connecting to them both, ‘I’m glad.’ He mind-linked right back, heard Rafe tell her ‘We’ll send your things over at once.’

‘No, thank you. I’m capable of moving myself and my children, we’ll do it this afternoon. Mother will collect her belongings from the packhouse and move in with us as well.’ She stated and then just cut the link.

It wasn’t much of a conversation, but she’d willingly established a mind-link to both of them. It was a good sign, he thought to himself. Though had a gut feeling, formally was how she would be addressing them from now on, he didn’t much like that, but a start it was.

He picked his phone up when it rang an hour later. “Mother?” he asked after seeing her name flash on the screen, could feel Rafe’s eyes on him right away.

“Jack, have I been informed correctly, I have a grandchild?” his mother, Florence, asked right away.

“You have, twins.” He answered, “How’s your trip going?”

“It was going marvellously…why would you not tell me yourself, and before now?”

“I’ve been very busy is all,” he commented, and it was the truth.

“You and Maria must be very excited, have been trying for a long time.”

“Maria?” he asked with a confused frown, his eyes moved right to Petra questioningly.

“Oh, my bad. I guess I didn’t say they weren’t Melissa and Maria’s.” she snorted amusingly, it seemed she was playing her own game.

“Son?”

He sighed, trust Petra to withhold that bit of news, “Not Maria’s or Melissa’s for that matter.” He told her, it was likely that Rafe’s parents were in the room with his mother, along with his own father. The whole former Unit were all away together. They could all be listening to this conversation for all he knew. Even Rafe’s youngest siblings were on that vacation.

“Then who?” he could hear the concern now.

“Luci’s children.” He stated simply, knew that would clear up both him and Rafe having children not with their Mate’s as would be expected. Also redeem them for the cheating, he thought they might think it would have happened, seeing as the twins were not Melissa or Maria’s.

There was a long silence before she spoke again “I thought Luci was.”

“Is not.” He interrupted her. “She has been found, has twin boys to both Rafe and I.” he informed her, “They are six.”

“Six!” he heard four distinct voices exclaim all at once.

“Yes! When are you due back?” he asked, knowing they were on their way.

“The day after tomorrow. Does Luna Addison know son?” It was his father, Johnathon this time.

“Yes, is currently here within the pack. Staying with Luci.”

“How bad is it?” he could hear more concern now.

“What do you mean father?” he frowned.

“Melissa and Maria, is what I mean.”

“They are not here; they don’t know at this point.”

“Right, so s**t hasn’t hit the fan yet?”

“Not yet.” He acknowledged “Though Luci is not who she used to be, is very different now. Melissa and Maria alike will have to watch themselves. You know Luci is a pure-blooded Alpha female, very strong, much more so than before even.” He told them.

There was silence for a long time. “She is also a mother and won’t be standing for trouble around her boys.” He heard his mother state.

“Do they have names?” it was Luna Dianna, Rafe’s mother. “Or do I need to beat my son, to know what my grandson’s names are?”

“Rafe and Jack.” He smiled. Both their mothers claimed to be the grandmothers to both boys. It’s what they’d always expected, he guessed. Nil hesitation about them claiming both children as their grandsons.

“Goddess, your own boys named after you. The girl is surely crazy.”

“It was her choice, there is more…do you want the news now or when you get home? He asked.

There was a four-way discussion at the other end of the phone. He waited with a slight shake of his head and looked at Rafe, who shrugged. He could hear the discussion as well, seems both their mothers wanted to wait, but both their fathers wanted to know now. There was quite a bit of disagreement going on.

Rafe got up and walked over to lean on Jack’s desk, “Enough you lot.” Rafe stated with a half laugh, those four were going to argue for ages about it. What was more important grandma or grandpa’s questions? “Seeing as there are technically two parts to the news. I’ll split it for you. Pick either Luci or the twins.”

Again, that difference of opinion. Both their mothers wanted to know about Luci, but their fathers wanted to know about the twins. It didn’t really surprise Jack all that much, Luna Dianna would be concerned with the welfare of Luci, but the former Alpha, Richard, would want to know about the next heir to the pack.

Jack looked at Rafe and shook his head as they waited it out, heard Petra murmur ‘or what’s going on with you two.’ Down the mind-link. Jack just smiled at her and shook his head once more. That was not an issue. Technically, there was nothing going on, a single k**s was all. It was no big deal.

Finally, after a solid 10 minutes of bickering back and forth, “Luci.” was the answer. He smiled at the threat he heard both his mother and Rafe’s mother throw at their mates about not letting them touch them if they didn’t get to hear about Luci’s state. Shut both their fathers up pretty darn quickly.

Even Rafe nearly laughed. No Mate liked being denied touching or sleeping with their Mate. Well, if it was a real Mate Bond anyway.

“Luci is a double shifter. But, also considered a Triune,” Rafe stated, and once again there was that silence.

“What is the other shifter?” both their fathers asked right away.

“Come home and find out.” Jack snorted and clicked the line closed.

“You two might get yourself a beating when they get home.” Petra snorted, fully amused.

“Not likely.” Jack shook his head. “We had no idea.”

“Hm, they might not see it that way. They never really understood why you gave up looking for Luci.”

“What?” both he and Rafe turned and looked right at her.

“I talk to them more than you do. They’re not inside the pack, see things a little differently now, I guess. Especially Luna Dianna.”

“I don’t understand.” Jack murmured. His mother and Dianna had always seemed to like Melissa and Maria when they were here.

“Nothing to do with me. I’ll go and escort Luci and the boys around.” She stated and strolled out of the office, smirked right at them before closing the door “Good luck Alpha, Beta.” She clicked the door closed.

“Rafe?” he asked.

“I have a theory,” he nodded and then proceeded to tell him about the aroma sachets in every room, bar Luci’s, Allen’s or Ian’s, that was curious to him. But apparently Melissa had put them in all the rooms. That there was a large bag of it in his own suite, in his walk-in. That Rafe had gotten mad at himself when standing looking at it, had been thinking not so nice thoughts about Melissa and Maria, had chastised himself even for it.

“You think that’s it? What I was looking for?”

“I do.” Rafe nodded at him “I’m waiting to see them come home. If they bring a new bag with them.”

Jack thought about it for a moment. “I’m pretty sure they do. I’ve even seen them sitting filling those little sachets. Maria told me, “It’s pretty and makes the rooms smell nice”. I was even asked to smell it.

“How’d that go down?”

“Fine.” He shrugged, thought about it “I stated I liked it.”

“Did you?” Rafe asked him now.

“I don’t know, it was a while ago.” He didn’t actually recall if he did or didn’t. “Why not Allen and Ian’s rooms?”

“Allen is easy, has witches for Mates. Could well be considered a threat to him and well…” Rafe shrugged.

Jack understood, one of them or both of them could turn into a bloodied mist “Ian?”

“I don’t know, but those witches do like him, so…” again he shrugged.

That they did, for some weird a*s reason, that only they knew and understood. “Do you think being out of the pack for an extended period of time allows it to leave you?” Jack asked.

“From others, not you and I. We’ve been away for allied assistance, weeks at a time.” Rafe sighed “But maybe for others it does.”

“Maybe that is why our parents left and took your siblings, they felt something was off inside the pack.”

“It’s possible,” Rafe nodded, “though why wouldn’t they say anything? We can ask them when they get back.”

“Who’s to say they didn’t, and we just don’t recall it, or got all defensive on the subject.”

They were both staring at each other now.