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Mo looked momentarily confused. " But he's just—"

"A young alpha who needs guidance," Victor finished. "Raschid believes, and I agree, that Alex has the potential to become an exceptional leader. But he needs someone with experience to help him develop those skills."

Zack covered Victor's hand with his own, tears welling in his eyes. "Are you sure? I know how important your position with Raschid is to you."

"It is," Victor assured him. "But this is more important. Being here, with both of you, with our family." His hand drifted to the small swell of Zack's abdomen. "With our children."

Mo's eyes shimmered with tears as he leaned across to kiss Victor softly. "I'm so proud of you."

"Besides," Victor added with a wry smile, "it's not as if we're going far. Raschid's territory borders ours, and this way, I can ensure our home remains protected."

"What about Alex?" Zack asked. "How did he take it?"

"Like an alpha," Victor replied, respect evident in his voice. "He understands the responsibility. He's young, but he has good instincts."

Mo laughed suddenly, the sound bright in the quiet room. "Our little family just keeps growing, doesn't it? First Noah and Jacob, then Khloe and Honey, now a contingent of wolves, and soon a baby."

Victor smiled. It was utterly perfect.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Theywerealldownstairslater, even Zack and Jacob, because the family was coming home, and Mo knew Zack was desperate to see his son. Mo had gotten Mattie a gift, and it had arrived that morning. He’d also found out that Jax, Riley’s mate, was a luna wolf, which meant not only could he tell what their baby was going to be, but also whether they were going to be an alpha, omega, or a beta. He was excited. He also wanted to speak to Luke about his own plans. He wasn’t in a hurry though, because the first time he shifted, he wanted to be able to share it with both his mates and Zack was currently banned from shifting.

He grinned as Khloe and Honey entered the living room, and Khloe practically danced with excitement as she skipped over. “I just spoke to Aunt Janelle.”

“Wow,” Mo grinned back. He hadn’t had a chance to even think about their newly discovered aunt with what was happening with Zack. They’d briefly been told their mom had a falling out with her father about a boy, not Mo’s dad, and had left the pack.

“She’s an alpha,” Khloe shared, her eyes huge, “and she’s invited us both to visit. I told her it would be a while for you, but would you mind if Honey and I went?”

Mo hugged her. “Of course not.”

“How are you planning on getting there?” Victor immediately asked, and Khloe chuckled. “If someone could get us to the Canadian border, Aunt Janelle will send her own enforcers to meet us.” Victor nodded his agreement, then Mo noticed Daniel had arrived and was making a beeline for him. He took one look at Daniel’s carefully controlled demeanor and his stomach dropped. Victor moved in close, obviously feeling the same. Zack looked up and narrowed his eyes.

“I wondered if I could have a talk with you?” he nodded to the office and Mo stood, clasping Zack’s hand.

“Just tell me,” Mo whispered as soon as Daniel had closed the door.

“I’m sorry, but yesterday afternoon, your father got shanked in the prison yard. By the time they got him to the infirmary, he was dead. Of course I’ll tell Khloe, but—”

Mo put his hand up. “No, I will.”

Zack and Victor surrounded him. “I’m sorry,” Zack whispered.

“Why?” Mo asked, still in shock. “He was a bastard to us.”

"He was," Victor agreed, his arm tightening around Mo's shoulders. "But he was still your father."

Mo leaned into Victor's solid strength, surprised by the complex emotions swirling through him. Relief, guilt, a strange emptiness where anger had lived for so long.

"I should feel something more," Mo admitted quietly. "But all I can think is that he can't hurt Khloe anymore. Or anyone else." He looked up at Daniel. "Do they know who did it?"

Daniel shook his head. "The investigation is ongoing, but prison murders are notoriously difficult to solve. Most inmates won't talk, and cameras are often conveniently malfunctioning in these situations."

Zack took Mo's hand, his thumb rubbing gentle circles on Mo's palm. "Do you want us to be there when you tell Khloe?"

“Yes, but later.” Mo inhaled and stepped back a little. “I may have to process this some more.” He shrugged. Or maybe not. Did it make him a bad person to feel such relief? No, he didn’t think it did.

“Is Alex down yet?” Daniel asked.