Page 324 of Claimed By the Rival Alpha
“Read stories?” Lance chuckled. “No. Maybe she would if I asked her.”
I pictured Bryn reading one of those fairytales in the Wargs’ library while Lance listened, eager to hear what happened next. I laughed.
Pax told us more about how he’d made friends with the children from the Kings Pack, and then his mother called him to lunch.
“Bye, Alpha Night!” he said, running and waving at us as we went. “Bye, Lance!”
We waved back.
“Kids sure are full of energy,” Lance said. “Makes me wonder how Bryn’s pup will be.”
“It does, doesn’t it?” Thinking of Bryn should have made me smile, but the only thing on my mind was how I’d failed her. It settled in my chest like heartburn.
Lance and I walked on until we reached my mother’s cabin. She spotted us through the window and waved at us to wait for her. Seconds later, she appeared in the doorway.
“Boys, come have lunch with me and Stan.”
“Sure.” I started walking toward her, but Lance hung back.
“I don’t want to intrude?—”
“Nonsense!” She grinned. “You’re family now.”
He froze for a second, maybe two, and then he thawed. His smile was sheepish, his cheeks red. “Well, if you insist…”
I smirked at him as he started walking, and he shoved my shoulder as he followed me into Mom’s cabin.
She and Doc had moved in together a week ago. Her home was mostly the same, but he’d added bleached animal skulls and taxidermy butterflies and moths. I’d had no idea Doc was interested in those things, but they somehow weren’t out of place with Mom’s bright and colorful décor.
She’d made cabbage stew and brought fresh rolls of bread from the mess hall. The cabin smelled savory and wonderful—like home. Doc was reviewing some papers at the dinner table. He was so involved in them that he didn’t notice Lance and me coming in.
“Damon.” Mom only spoke his name, but in an instant, he stopped looking at his work to focus on her.
He brightened when he saw us. “Good to see you, Alpha, Lance,” he said. “I was wondering how the two of us were going to finish this stew.”
Mom laughed and took the seat next to him. Lance and I sat and helped ourselves to the stew. Between Doc and Mom, the conversation was lively and interesting, but I found her stealing glances at me. When everyone had had their fill, Lance yawned.
“Sleepy?” Mom asked with a smile.
He nodded. “I should walk this off, and I have some people I want to talk to. Night, you coming?”
“Sure—”
“Actually, Night, I was wondering if you could help me hang a picture before you leave,” Mom said.
“A picture?” Doc tilted his head. “I could do that?—”
“No, no.” She patted the back of his hand. “If I don’t have Night do things for me from time to time, he’ll never visit.”
I snorted. I visited her as often as possible; she knew that as well as anyone else.
“Anyway, you have to get back to the infirmary, don’t you, Damon?” She nudged him with her elbow.
He paused, then rushed to agree. “O-oh! Yes, love, you’re right.” He kissed her cheek and then stood with his paperwork. “I guess we’re heading out together, Lance. If you’re looking for head of security, I think I know where he’d be about now…”
He and Lance headed out. When the door shut behind them, I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms. “You’ve come up with better excuses before, Mom. Hang a picture, really?”
She rolled her eyes. “Such sass for a fully grown man.”
