Page 23 of Pack: Posy 3

Wait a minute. Where's Reau?My eyes ran around the backyard again.And I don't see Archer and Wayne, either.

"Ash, where are Archer, Wayne, and Reau?" I asked.

"I'm not sure. Do you want to link them or shall I?"

"I just want to make sure Reau didn't wander off alone."

When Ash didn't respond, I glanced at him and knew from his hazy eyes that he was linking the boys. After a few seconds, he blinked and focused on me.

"Arch and Wayne said the loud music upset Reau. They're with him in the man cave, teaching him to play Minecraft."

"Oh, good." I let out a relieved sigh.

"We had that talk with them, by the way," he told me. "They were shocked that we thought they needed the reminder, but were chill about it."

"I was surprised that Wayne and Archer welcomed Reau so easily. The two of them have been friends almost all of their lives, yet they let this newcomer into their circle almost instantly."

"That's good, right?" He grinned at me, his teeth blazingly white against his brown skin. "Listen, Wayne and Arch get a little wild, but they're good kids. Wayne's funny and easygoing, Arch is smart and mature, and Reau, well, I think Reau is in his own little world most of the time. He's kind of like a leaf floating on the water, letting the ripples take him where they may."

"True. I'm glad Wayne and Archer seem fine with that. He needs a friend his age, especially with school starting in two months." With a content sigh, I rested my head on his shoulder and rubbed my nose against his throat. "I love you, waffle."

"And I love you, my little cupcake. Our sweet Posy."

6: Memories

Posy

The day after Tyler's birthday party, the king decided to cut his vacation short. He wanted to introduce Queen Lilah to his family and the royal pack as well as set the wheels in motion for her coronation. He also wanted to research a couple things, such as my biological father's family and the idea he'd had on how to help Thoreau.

While Wyatt made a copy of my mother's letter in the home office, I hugged Queen Lilah and Gisela goodbye, and we exchanged phone numbers to keep in touch.

"And you'll come to the coronation, too, right?" the queen asked, her eyes glittering with tears. "I'm going to be scared to death, and it would mean so much to know you're there to support me."

"Of course, I'll be there," I assured her and squeezed her in another tight hug. "If my mates can't come, I'll make my betas bring me."

"Your mates will be there. The five alphas have a VIP place at all court functions," King Julian said. "I told you, they're my best friends and closest advisors. They don't have a choice about coming."

He smirked at my boys, and Cole and Jayden chuckled.

"Here you go, your majesty." Wyatt came down the porch steps and handed the king the copy of the letter. "Let us know what you find out."

"I will." King Julian took the paper and looked at me. "I'll get to the bottom of this, Posy."

"Thank you, sire." I dipped my head. "I'd like to meet his relatives, if there are any."

"I'll arrange that in time for the coronation," he promised, then turned to Mason. "Keep me informed about the Gray Shadows situation. I want to render a judgment ASAP based on what you find out."

I had forgotten that Beatrix was going to look at Thoreau's memories today. I wanted to be there for that. I had a gift for him. It wouldn't replace his wolf, Tanner, but might comfort him. Plus, my mates said just my presence as his luna would help him.

The boys all did that bro hug, I squeezed the queen and Gisela one last time, and shook the king's and Luke's hands, and then they were gone.

"Well, that wasn't much of a vacation for him," I said as Ash took one of my hands and Cole took the other.

"The fact that he found his mate more than made up for it," Jayden said with a laugh. "And Onyx got to kill some bad wolves and wrangle with Quartz, so it's all good."

Not an hour later, James and Callie drove up in his truck, followed by Aiden and Keeley in Gretchen, the twins' pink VW Bug.

"You're leaving, too?" I pouted.

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