Big Bad Alphas

   "So, you are the Luna, Alpha Tates mate?"

   "Yes, but we haven't been together for long."

   "Caroline told me that the two of you planned the birthday celebration for Sebastian Tate. It was lovely," Lucas compliments as we sit across each other in the living room. Caroline sits closely beside him as Evangeline is near me.

   "Caroline planned most of it, and I pretty much watched her work as I constantly fell asleep. I don't know how she manages to work for so long without rest."

   Evangeline smiles. "That's my Caroline."

   "Is Dad coming by?" She asks, and Evangeline tells her he is busy helping the newer guards with training, but he will stop by for dinner. "Well, when will Eric be home?"

   "Any time between now and dinner," I say. "We haven't spoken since this morning."

   "And everything went well with the rogue searches?" Evangeline asks.

   "Yes, he told me they found a few tracks nearby. Seems to be a group."

   "You know, Lucas just helped his Alpha take down a pack of rogues. Maybe he can help?" Caroline says then looks up at her mate. "I'm sure an extra mind could bring new ideas."

   "Now, you are Alpha Kenn's Beta?" Evangeline asks, and he confirms. "He is a kind man. I met him a few times when he came for meetings every now and then."

"I couldn't ask for anyone better to work with."

The conversation continues, and I come to the conclusion that I rather like Lucas. He is respectful and appropriate, nothing about him makes me question if Caroline will be happy with him. She seems fulfilled by just sitting beside him.

Sebastian arrives and greets Lucas smoothly, no threats or coldness, which I am expecting from Eric. His eyes watch me, waiting for something that I am not sure of, or just watching to make sure I do not tell on him like a child. I wonder if Evangeline knows about his runs and how he fought a rogue yesterday. I should not be questioning my mate's father, a past Alpha, but I cannot help it.

We sit down for dinner, not waiting for Eric because we do not know when he will be back. Sebastian sits at one end with Caroline and Lucas on one side and Evangeline and me on the other. Two other women came in to help Marina cook and serve dinner, as she refused my help along with Carolines. I expected her to refuse Carolines, though.

"What do you two plan on doing with your time together?" Evangeline asks the pair as we eat.

know each other, nothing specific," Caroline explains. "Lucas is leaving tomorrow night, so I

be staying?" Her father questions as her

whispers, and I take over, trying to

house. There are

in the sleeping arrangements, but I am sure she will work her way around the rules.

I see

shutting of a car door. My heart picks up

rush down the steps, and he looks to me. "Eric doesn't be upset," I start and his face shifts from

I suppose the injury is not too bad,"

sigh and fight back a fierce smile. For a moment, I forgot that he is home. The fact that Lucas is here and he does not know has taken over as the most important thing for a second, when it is actually the fact that Eric is back safe. I curse myself before wrapping my arms around him. "Sorry, I just wanted

a word for a moment to two; he just

mate is

his

"Now."

looks to the front

everything is going nicely. Caroline,

in there, and so is my father?"

a good guy, Eric. There is really nothing to worry

of the table, opposite

I have been waiting to meet you ever

does Evangeline, but it comes Eric's father, and I cannot tell what he is thinking. His face is blank like

I can feel the tension closing in on me. Thankfully, Evangeline decides that it is time for her and her mate to leave, as

comments once they are gone. "Shouldn't you head home Caroline?" He prefers to

eleven, but if you are tired, maybe you should just go to

you are

smiles. "I'm sure Lucas can walk me

"Maybe Caroline should stay here? We have enough rooms; two more