Page 130 of Claimed By the Rival Alpha

“D-date?” I managed to get out.

My mother had the audacity to chuckle. “That’s right.”

I sighed and drank the tea, wishing again that I had something much stronger. “Between you and Tavi, I don’t know how I’m going to survive the year.”

“How was Tavi last night?”

“She was good, sociable even. Dom walked her home.”

“Ah. Good for her. Good for them.” She leaned back in her seat. “She has been hurt so deeply, and it puts me at ease to know she’s starting to come out of herself a bit more.”

“You and me both, Mom.”

Tavi’s shyness and introversion…it was hard to see.

She had been quiet and withdrawn after the Kings killed her family, but as she grew up, she was such a vibrant, outgoing personality.

I missed the person my sister used to be, the Tavi who could smile and talk for hours about nothing.

But dammit, that didn’t mean that I loved her any less.

To see her like this now…if it took me back to those hard days, I couldn’t fucking imagine what it must be like for her. Rage burned in my chest thinking of Troy and the sons of bitches who had hurt her.

I felt bad about not telling Bryn I’d sent a hunting party after Troy, and I hated that the council had forced me to send one.

But when I thought about the possibility of my wolves finding him, catching him unawares, and ending that fucker’s life right then and there, I couldn’t help but feel deep satisfaction that he could no longer hurt my family.

“Night?”

Mom’s voice yanked me out of that dark place. “Sorry, what?”

“I asked when you were planning on revealing the news.”

“I told Dom earlier that I don’t plan to tell our council about Bryn’s pregnancy yet. We’re happy about the baby, but the timing isn’t exactly ideal. There are still so many unknowns, still so much to get done.”

“I imagine we’re the only ones who know about it?”

“That’s right. Bryn’s mother and Doc will know, but other than the seven of us, we’re keeping it quiet.”

“At least until the alpha challenge is over,” she agreed. “The Kings’ council won’t be too happy to know their temporary female alpha is pregnant. They’ll throw that in her face.”

“One hundred percent.” I crossed my arms. “I’m not worried that they’ll retaliate against her personally, but they might try to replace her with someone else. If that happens, it could undo all the progress we’ve made with the Kings.”

She sighed. “We’ll just have to wait and see. I’m sure the Fates have a plan for this, but I hate waiting to find out what it is.”

“Same here.” I blew out a breath. “By the way, Mom, I have a favor to ask. Bryn wants to learn more about her biological parents, but she’s hit a brick wall there. Is there anything you can do to help her out?”

Her eyebrows shot up. “I wasn’t expecting you to ask me that.” She scratched her chin.

“I know it probably won’t be easy with how little we have to go on.”

“Honey, you know I’m at my happiest when I’m needed.” She patted my hand. “Don’t worry, I’ll find out what I can, but as you said, I doubt there’s much to find.” She smiled. “I’ll reach out to our elders, the Kings’ elders, and anyone else to get more information about Bryn’s mother.”

“Thanks so much, Mom.” If she could find out where Bryn’s mother lived, it would lead us closer to finding out who her father was. “Bryn wants to be able to tell our pup about their grandparents. I think she feels lost because she doesn’t know anything about them.”

Mom nodded. “Wolves have always been pack animals. We must have family and community around us all the time. And equally important, we need to know they accept us. Bryn was denied both community and acceptance her entire life. If there’s even a chance that she has siblings or cousins, it’s only natural that she’d want to find them. ”

“Exactly.” Bryn had recently learned that not only was she never human, but also that she was the daughter of a pack mother. All that new information would make anyone want answers about their heritage.

“Thank you for doing this for her, Mom. Really.”

She waved a hand in dismissal. “If I can help ease Bryn’s worries, that’ll be all the thanks I need.

” The corner of her mouth twitched. “You know, Night, you had such a kind, gentle nature when you were a little boy. You cried every time you and Dom had one of those silly fights, or one of the other kids didn’t want to play with you.

Whenever I told you stories, your little heart broke when the hero didn’t make it. ”

“Aw, Mom.” I couldn’t remember being so tender-hearted.

“I was beginning to think the harshness of Warg life had weeded out the soft little boy I raised. I worried I was one of the lucky few to see your sweetest smiles….but I was wrong. Bryn brings out the warmest parts of you, Night. You’re much quicker to show your gentler side.

Not just with Bryn, but with how you talk about the merger and being alpha, of trying to foster a better, healthier community.

It’s lovely to see.” Tears misted her jade-green eyes. “It’s lovely to see,” she repeated.

I got out of my chair to kiss her forehead and hug her. “I love you, Mom.”

“I love you, too, honey." She sniffled and patted my back. “Now, listen. The first three months of pregnancy are the hardest. The best thing for Bryn to do is to get as much rest as possible and drink peppermint tea when her stomach aches. But to be honest, I imagine Glenda’s already got her covered on that front.”

“Got it. I’ll make sure she doesn’t push herself too hard. But you know it’ll be a struggle to get her to listen to me.”

She laughed. “Our Bryn is stubborn, but she’ll do right by her baby. That’s just the kind of person your mate is.”