Page 11 of Alpha’s Twins (Alpha Kings Island #3)

The air is still sharp with the bite of early morning as I shift back and begin the walk from the tree line, across my yard, and onto the back steps. I open the hamper and pull on a pair of shorts from the clean pile I always leave on the porch.

Movement from inside catches my attention, and I look through the glass to see Serena walking around the kitchen, seemingly setting the table for breakfast. It’s such a simple act, but with the early morning sunlight filtering through into the room, she looks almost angelic.

Instead of going in, I find myself leaning against the solid wood frame and watching her.

She moves to the stove, stirring something in a pan, and the sight of her barefoot, her hair loosely tied, lost in the quiet focus of what she’s doing pulls at something deep inside me.

Her face is soft and open, without the walls that creep in sometimes, no matter how hard I try to keep things light between us.

She tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

It’s such a tiny movement, but it makes my chest tighten.

My wolf urges me to go to her, wrap my arms around her, and whisper that she’s not alone.

But I don’t. I stay where I am, letting the moment stretch out, savoring the calm before the day forces its way in.

Today isn’t just about me and Serena. My brothers will arrive soon, bringing their packs and their friends, and the house will be full of people.

I’m already dreading the conversations with my brothers about Malik.

It’s time they listen to me and take the fight back into the mountains to finish him off.

Looking back at Serena, I push aside thoughts about potential disagreements with Callum and Tristen and focus on her.

I know she’s nervous about seeing Emily and Ava, having only met them briefly, and I curse myself for not realizing sooner how overwhelming this all must be for her.

A new life, a new family, and now this meeting.

Her powers. No wolf. The more I discover about Nolan’s pack, the more I realize my initial thoughts about him were spot on.

I watch as she sets plates on the table, her movements efficient but not hurried.

The scent of bacon drifts through the open door, and I breathe it in as my stomach rumbles.

I take a final look at the scene in front of me before I push open the door and break the spell.

The fact that she’s made breakfast for me touches something deep inside me.

The way she’s thought about me makes me realize I want more of that.

I never pretended to be perfect, but the more I get to know Serena, the more I don’t see why we couldn’t be happy together.

She’s wrong—I do want her. I’m still not sure I’d be faithful forever; I’m Ralph’s son, after all.

But it doesn’t mean we couldn’t have fun. I want more of this.

I just wish she could see that.

“Hey,” I say, stepping into the kitchen. Serena glances up, startled, her eyes lingering on my bare chest. Her gaze flits away too quickly, and I feel a smile tug at my lips.

“Hi,” she replies, her voice a little too bright. A blush creeping from her cheeks to her ears as she focuses intently on adjusting the plates she’s already set out.

I move closer, casually, and reach past her to grab a mug from the counter. “Smells good,” I say, letting my arm brush against hers. Her breath hitches, and she takes a step back, her face even redder.

“It’s just eggs and bacon,” she says, her words rushed, her fingers nervously fiddling. “I saw you head out for a run, but I didn’t know what you’d want.”

“Anything you make will be perfect.” I lean back against the counter, enjoying the show. I see her looking anywhere but at me, tucking her hair behind her ear again, her hands slightly trembling. She’s completely innocent, and it makes me want her even more.

“I, um, I thought I’d set up the tables outside after breakfast,” she says, obviously trying to make conversation. “Sarah mentioned the bakery is going to bring some food over, and I thought you might want to set up the grill.”

I can see how nervous the thought of everyone coming here makes her, and I reach out to take her hand. She freezes at the contact, and so do I. It’s like a thousand tiny sparks dance along my fingertips, causing my heart to race.

“Serena,” I say, my voice low. “We’ll figure this out together. Okay?”

She swallows, her eyes darting to mine, then away again. I’m sure she can feel how much I want her. She pulls her hand back, and I let it slip away, watching her as her mouth opens and closes.

“Okay,” she finally whispers, but it sounds more like a question than an answer.

“Good,” I say, pushing off the counter and starting to plate up our breakfast. “Now, eat. And then I’ll get to that grill, okay?”

She nods, and we sit in a relatively comfortable silence. I demolish the breakfast long before her and then realize I’m still sitting there with only a pair of shorts on. The little glances she keeps giving my bare chest tell me she’s noticed that, too.

“I should probably put a shirt on if everyone’s coming over,” I say, ducking my head to get a better look at her expression. “Unless you prefer I leave it off?”

I’m only joking, of course, but her fork clatters onto her plate and she laughs nervously. “I-I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

I should tell her I’m only joking, but she’s already on her feet and taking her plate to the sink. I cringe slightly, but the way she blushes really turns me on, and I can’t help wanting more of it.

“Let me wash up,” I say, walking toward her, but she spins around and takes my plate.

“No, you need to get ready,” she says breezily, and I know she’s trying to get rid of me.

I bite back a grin and nod. “Okay, I’ll cook and wash up next time.”

I want to say more, but the moment seems lost, and when I come back downstairs, showered and dressed, she’s nowhere to be seen.

I step out onto the back porch and spot her by the side of the house tending to some flower displays.

What was once a bare patch of land is now a stunning oasis of flowers and plants, the petals larger than any I’ve ever seen and all reaching for the sky in a burst of color.

The fact that she doesn’t recognize how impressive her magic is blows my mind.

Even with the early hour, it’s already warming up, the sun soaking into the wood of the porch.

I’m about to call out to Serena when I hear the crunch of tires on gravel.

I take a breath, letting the anticipation settle around me, and head toward the front of the house just as the first car pulls up.

Callum steps out, a grin spreading across his face.

Ava follows, Harper bouncing at her heels, and cradled in Ava’s arms is their baby son, who’s growing more each day.

Tristen and Emily arrive right behind them, and I watch as they maneuver their baby boy out of his car seat.

A flood of voices and laughter fills the air, and I can’t help but lean into an unfamiliar tug in my chest as I watch my brothers with their mates and children.

It’s not something I ever cared for myself, but with Serena here and mornings like today, something is beginning to shift within me. I’m not sure if it’s welcome or not.

Harper breaks free and runs forward for me to lift her into a hug.

She’s a great kid, and with her powers emerging stronger than ever, she reminds me a lot of my brothers and myself when we were young.

I put her down and greet Ava and Emily as they come forward, clearly looking over my shoulder for Serena.

“She’s in the yard finishing up,” I laugh. “Go on back if you want, I’ll help the guys bring through all the stuff.”

“Do you realize how much baby stuff we’ve brought for one afternoon?” Emily laughs as they head up the steps.

I glance over at Callum and Tristen, who are unloading their trucks with strollers and bags, and wince. I had no idea babies required so much stuff.

“Are you guys moving in?” I laugh, and Ava hits me on the shoulder playfully.

“You wait; this will be you one day,” she chuckles, following Emily.

I scoff, but as the morning wears on, the grill is lit, and others arrive with their pups, and soon the house is filled with laughter.

Suddenly, the idea of my own pups feels less and less ridiculous.

Still far-fetched, though, given Serena shows no signs of letting me near her.

Standing by the grill, I’m half-listening to Callum explaining his new marinating recipe for the meat, but my attention is firmly on the other side of the garden.

Serena is with Ava and Emily, and she’s actually smiling.

A proper smile. She’s come a long way from the girl who could barely look at any of us on the day of the mating ceremony.

I watch as she tucks that same stray piece of hair behind her ear, but this time it’s with laughter, not as a nervous gesture.

She was shy at first, standing a little apart when they first arrived, but then something clicked.

I watch now as Ava says something, and Serena’s laughter rings out, surprising and bright.

I have to look away for a moment. The sight of her fitting in so easily does strange things to my insides.

My brothers’ mates have always had a way of making people feel at home.

Serena is no exception, and I feel a rush of gratitude toward them.

I might not always agree with how my brothers do things, but they’re family.

The kids are running back and forth, Harper leading the charge with her usual energy.

Serena kneels down to talk to her, and I can see Harper’s animated gestures as she chatters away.

Harper is showing Serena something, and from here it appears to be a tiny bunch of wildflowers.

Serena nods and then holds out her palm.

I suspect what’s coming as others gather around.

Even Callum and Tristen turn to watch as the tiny bunch of flowers multiplies and blooms in Harper's hand, and she squeals with delight.

The blossoms twist and turn until they form little bracelets of flowers that break off.

Harper holds some in her other hand, which she hands to the other children.

“Hell of a party trick,” Callum says with genuine surprise in his voice. “Not sure I can beat that in Harper’s eyes.”

Tristen laughs, “No way can a bit of fire or wind beat flowers like that when it comes to kids.”

“Or our mates,” Callum replies, indicating how Ava and Emily are dancing around in surprise at the display. Then he asks, “What else can she do?”

I shrug slightly. “She doesn’t think it’s all that impressive. I’m hoping she’ll talk to Emily about it. I think there’s more there.”

Tristen nods. “I agree. I’ll see if Emily talks to her later.”

I watch them all for a moment longer, then hear Callum clear his throat. “And the other thing?” he asks, his voice low, and I know he’s talking about Malik.

I sigh. I knew this conversation was coming; I was the one who wanted to have it, but I was enjoying the afternoon.

“We can’t let him keep pushing us. I know it’s him,” I say. “He’s growing stronger, and we’re sitting on our hands waiting for what?”

Callum shakes his head. “Aiden, it’s not like that. We’re still not one hundred percent sure it is Malik, and our packs have been through enough. I don’t want to scare anyone.”

I snort and look at Tristen, who shrugs. “Don’t look at me, I’m all for taking the fight to him.”

“See?” I say, “Tristen gets it.”

“I just think we need to be smart,” Callum replies. “We can’t rush into this.”

“We can’t afford to keep doing nothing,” I say. “Not with these fires.”

“I know,” Callum replies, his face grim. “I just don’t want to lose anyone else.”

I hear the pain in his voice, and I know he’s thinking of the friends we’ve already lost. I soften a little. “Neither do I,” I say. “But we can’t let this go on.”

After a brief silence, Callum nods, and Tristen slaps him on the back. “I tell you what,” he says, “I think Malik thought we were easy pickings after Ralph died and divided us. That we were too young and stubborn to lead our packs right, but he was wrong. Hell, Ralph was wrong. We’ve got this.”

We all nod, and the afternoon fades into early evening, having gone much better than I anticipated. Tristen’s words keep ringing in my head about Ralph being wrong. As I find myself increasingly drawn to Serena, I wonder what else Ralph might have been wrong about.