Page 392 of Alpha Mates

I used to think Levi was shy, but I didn’t know the meaning of the word until we had Peter. I mean the kid was already a certified librarian; he never, and I mean never, talked. He was a sweet child, though, and cared for the family more than anything.

“Everyone to the table now!” Julian shouts as Levi and I help them take the food to the table.

The twins come scampering now, and Damon’s there with them, helping them into their seats before we all sit down to the table overflowing with food that’d be gone in seconds. But not just yet.

“Everyone, what are you thankful for?” Julian says first.

“I’m th-thankful for-for-for my family,” Peter stutters, his answer the same as always.

“I’m thankful for my big toe,” Damon tacks on with a snicker that becomes a wince when Julian kicks him under the table. “I’m kidding! Damn.I’m thankful for Levi.” Levi smiles at him and as always, Damon beams at his big brother like an angel.

“I’m thankful for food,” Josey says eagerly.

“I’m thankful for pizza!” Hagen exclaims like a warrior, making us all laugh.

“I know Peter already said it, but I’m thankful for my family too,” Levi says and the family bond warms immediately. All the kids knew he was adopted, but it didn’t make any difference to them. Levi was their big brother, and they all worshipped him.

“Well, I’m thankful for all my princes, and my one little princess,” Julian says as he shares a smile with each of them in turn before his eyes land on me, “as well as my king.”

My heart hammers in my chest as I smile at him from the other side of the table.

“You guys said it all, even covered the food part.” I say, making the twins giggle. “I guess most of all, I’m thankful for this.” I take a look around and my heart melts. “I’m thankful to be sitting here with all of you, together.”

When we first started having kids, Julian and I had been equally terrified to not be good enough for them, to fail them the way our parents failed us. But we were figuring it out and trying. Each and every day, we put our best foot forward, and now, we have this beautiful family to call our own.

“Can we eat now?” Hagen asks, breaking the silence.

Laughter descends from the rest before I nod, and everyone digs in like the savages they are. Peter’s the only one who followed Julian into his vegetarian madness, but he was a real one who didn’t break, not even for salmon.

“Dad and I are going hunting later. You’re coming right?” Damon asks Levi while he bites into a drumstick.

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he replies, making Damon grin widen.

“Why can’t we go?” the twins ask in unison.

“Because we’re going to—”

“Because you’re not old enough,” Julian cuts in before Damon can say too much. They pout as they eat until Jewels adds, “But you’re old enough to watch Looney Tunes.”

Hunt forgotten, the twins cheer in excitement, and eat as quickly as they can to get their treat after.

“Why don’t you come too, Peter?” I ask, despite already knowing the answer.

“I-I’d rather not,” he whispers while he pushes around his rice.

“You need to get some sort of training in,” I argue while I try to catch his gaze. “You can’t just stay home reading all day.”

Peter winces, and I do too. I’d barely raised my voice, but it was enough to make him retreat into his shell.

“I’ll take him with me to my training session tomorrow,” Julian says instead, a compromise, but one that makes Peter break out into a cold sweat.

“Can I come?!” Damon begs, eager for any chance to fight. “Please! Please! Please!”

“No,” Julian dismisses quickly.

“Why not?!” he groans. “Peter doesn’t even want to go! He’s already shitting himself. Look!”

All eyes drift to Peter, who is in fact, looking a little green.