Naughty Alpha, I mindlink to Zak.  How could you send Devin’s father to interrupt their fun? I have been silently cackling about that in my head ever since Zak said that.He deserves it for the way he spoke to Dev on his birthday, Zak replies, shrugging his shoulders.Not gonna disagree, but what about Dev and Xander?  How are they going to feel?I think they’ll find it hilarious. Zak smiles at me, laughing his ass off in his head.I can’t help it.  I join in his laughter, just thinking about Richard ha

Charlie, Brandon, and I continue our work from the day before, contacting and researching other packs.  We don’t even stop for lunch, but instead have the omegas bring something up to us. Just prior to 1:00, we make our way to the conference hall on the first floor.  Though my office is much more comfortable, it would also be difficult for Lucille to climb the three flights of stairs to the top floor.  When we arrive, the smell of coffee and sweets fill the air as omegas bustle around, setting up the room.  They bow their necks to us, then quickly finish their tasks and leave. Shortly after, our parents begin filing in and taking seats around the table.  They sit on the far side of the table, with the new pack leaders sitting closer to the door.  Lucille and Meredith come in exactly at 1:00, sharing large smiles and greetings all

I wake on Friday morning, a sense of excitement and happiness flooding my body.  Today is the day.  Brandon will find out that he is our mate.  Last night, he had linked Zak around 10:30 to say that he was still with his father and that he wouldn’t be coming to see us, but that he would see us this morning.Though I was somewhat disappointed, I knew that it wouldn’t be for more than one night.  Brandon would be with from his birthday on.Now that it is the morning of his birthday, I am excited, but a bit nervous, too.  What will happen?  How will the pack react?  How will Brandon react?Only one way to find out.   I hurriedly jump into the shower.  As I come back out to get dressed, Zak meets me at the bathroom door.

I can barely sleep.  After everything that my father told me, everything that he wants me to do, my mind is spinning. At 6:30, I shove the blankets off me, tired of trying.  I spend an inordinate amount of time in the shower, trying to relax.  Today is supposed to be exciting.  One of the best days of my life.  I will take over my position as Beta!  I will likely find my mate!  It’s my birthday!  I mean, if the prospect of cake can’t even cheer me up, I know I’m a goner.  But all that swirls in my gut is dread.  Dad was right.  My mate is likely going to be a male.  And I’ll have to turn him away. I always knew that my parents were great friends.   But there was never that spark between them that I saw in all of my friends’ parents.  There were no little touches of affection.  No gleam in their eyes when they saw each other. 

What. The. Hell?  I thought that Brandon would be ecstatic that he not only had one, but both of the people that he is in love with as his mates.  The Goddess pretty much guaranteed that if we didn’t tell him about the trio beforehand, then he would accept them.  Xander and I even came to breakfast this morning specifically to see it happen.This wasn’t supposed to happen!I follow Brandon’s heavy running out of the packhouse.  He’s nearly to the treeline when I catch up with him.I grab his shoulder and spin him around to face me.  “You fucking idiot!” I scream.  “What the hell was that?”But when I see his face, I back off.  Tears pour from his eyes.&nb