Page 3 of A Second Chance for the Beta

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Family

*ELLA*

“Lookatyou,”Dave’scheerful voice greets me when I attend breakfast in the packhouse. Dante left before me and got breakfast on the way as he needed to head out with Alpha Liam and his second beta, Aryanna, for a business meeting with another alpha. “You look spent! In the best way possible.”

I roll my eyes at him but accept the cup of coffee he offers me. Dave’s a human, and Annie’s and my best friend. We all went to school together and bonded over time. Recently, he was fated to a werewolf, and they both moved to our pack.

“Are you jealous?” I ask.

“Absolutely,” Dave pouts. “Raffy has been on patrol for most of the night, which means less time he could spend with his dashing hot mate!”

Before I can answer, I see Annie approaching us. Her gamma, Jun, is right behind her and carries one of the twin girls. “She looks tired too,” I say quietly to Dave.

“Yeah,” he mutters. “Two babies are no joke, especially when they grow so fast. Werewolf genes are amazing.”

He is right. The twins aren’t even a year old yet, but they are already more active than human babies would be.

“Everything alright?” I ask Annie when she sits down.

“Yes,” she says. “Just a tough night. Asteria didn’t fall asleep at all, and then Aurora got fussy too.”

“Please tell me our hot alpha is helping you,” Dave says.

“Of course.” She smiles. “He snatched Aurora and tried to get her back to sleep while I stayed with Asteria.”

“I will fetch you your breakfast, Luna,” Jun says, looking a bit worried.

“That would be lovely. Thank you, Jun.”

I feel my sense of duty kick in instantly. My bond to Annie as her friend is strong, but my bond to her as a beta to her luna is even stronger. “I will grab something for the girls, or did they get back to accepting your milk?”

“They both refuse to be breastfed,” Annie says. “Thanks, Ella. The kitchen should have already prepared their bottles and some baby food.”

Dave stays to entertain Annie and the girls while Jun and I hurry away to grab everything Annie needs. The kitchen is indeed prepared, and I am handed two bottles and some mashed veggie-potato mix.

Babies eat this?Nefeli asks, grimacing in disgust.

They do.I grin.

I bet our babies one day won’t,she says.

You think they will want medium-rare steak right from day one?I ask.

Just wait for it.

I would be extremely worried if I popped out a baby that demands a steak right away,I say.Let’s just wait. When we have our own children, we’ll know for certain.

We both fall into an awkward silence once we mentioned having kids of our own. It’s a sore topic for both of us. One day… one day… I have just no idea when that day will be. Before I get caught in too many destructive thoughts, I return to our table and hand Annie the requested items. Jun returns shortly afterwards and brings a huge mug of coffee and plenty of food.

Annie chuckles when she eyes the humongous cup of coffee. “I have to be looking incredibly tired indeed.”

“You are still the hottest bitch in the room,” Dave says.

Annie snorts. “Thank you, Dave, although I know that’s not true.”

“What are the plans for today?” I ask her.