~Alyce/Faelyn~

Kami and I had checked the rec room, to find it pretty well deserted. No sign of the boys. So we passed through and continued on our way to the dining room, Rian between us, holding both our hands. We would occasionally swing him up off his feet as we walked, eliciting a giggle from him.

We paused in the doorway to the dining room, both of us looking around, expecting to see the boys. There was no sign of them. There also seemed to be less people than normal in the room.

“Odd, they’re not here either… So where are they?” Kami asked.

“And everyone else for that matter.” I scooped Rian up into my arms and crossed the hall with Kami.

“Also a good question.”

One of the older kitchen staff caught my eye as we walked through and motioned to the doors to the back lawn with an amused grin on his face. I smiled at him and gave a nod in thanks. We headed to the doors, slipping out them to find a small crowd of pack members watching Tristan, Cedric and Mat dog pile on Brandon. Giving him all the love he never wanted.

“Well, looks like neither of us is 10 bucks richer.” Kami snickered.

“Oh, but this is so much better.”

“Daddy!” Rian wiggled out of my arms and ran through the crowd over to the boys. Tristan laughed and caught him, swinging him up onto the top of the pile.

“Hey buddy. Uncle Brandon needs some extra love today!”

“Otay!” Rian sprawled out on top of the others, giggling.

“Oh man, that might be the straw that broke the camel’s back… I don’t think I can handle all of Rian’s muscles on top of you three lugs!” Brandon dramatically pretended to be squished by the addition of Rian to the dog pile.

“Excuse me, the only lug here is you sir. I am perfectly proportioned!” Mat huffed, managing to keep a straight face.

“Are you slacking on your training Brandon? Can’t handle a few wolves?” Kami teased.

Brandon, feeling challenged, and I suspect, feeling the need to show off for a reason only Tristan and I suspected thus far, proceeded to get his limbs under him and push off the ground. The guys laughed as they rolled off of him, Tristan careful to make sure that Rian came to land on his feet safely.

“I’ll show you slacking on my training!” He got to his feet and made a beeline for Kami after clearing the guys off him.

Kami squealed and ran, circling around to try and hide behind her brother. Tristan was kind enough to side step as Brandon neared them, allowing him access to Kami, who ended up tossed over his shoulder like a sack of weightless potatoes.

Rian ran over and started pummeling Brandon’s legs, “I’ll save you Auntie!”

Kami was laughing and clearly appreciated Rian’s valiant, if vain, attempt to save her. “Rian! My hero! Save me!”

Brandon looked down, trying not to laugh as he waited just a moment for an opening before ‘escaping’ Rian’s attack and running off with Kami, keeping his pace slow enough for Rian to keep after him, “Never! I have caught the lady fair and square!”

I walked over to Tristan, tucking myself into his side as we watched the three goof off. Cedric and Mat were still on the ground, laughing at the whole charade.

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“Rian!” I called, “Maybe Uncle Cedric and Uncle Mattie can help rescue Auntie Kami!”

He stopped, turning his blue-green eyes to me as though I just had the greatest idea ever. He ran over and tagged both his uncles, “Tum on! We have to help Auntie!”

That was all the encouragement the boys needed and they were on their feet, following Rian as they chased Brandon and Kami around, all of them letting Rian set the pace and acting overly dramatic about the entire thing.

“Chaaarge!” Rian yelled after another 3 minutes of chasing Brandon, throwing his hand forward and pointing at Brandon.

Mat and Cedric followed his orders, saluting him before taking Brandon to the ground before he could actually start running from them, “Argh! I’ve been foiled! I will get you Lady Kami! Your brave knight won’t stop me next time!”

Kami landed on her feet as Brandon went down with the boy. Rian came running over to grab her hand and pull her back to Tristan and I. “Yay! I saved yous!” Rian was jumping up and down in excitement.

“Kami leaned down and kissed the top of his head, “Yes you did, and as a reward, I’ll give you some of my dessert after dinner.

The boys were making their way back to us, all three huffing and puffing a bit. It was hard to breathe and laugh at the same time. Rian was even more excited about extra dessert.

“Speaking of dinner and dessert, we should get back in there before the others eat it all.” I shook my head at all of them, laughing softly.

We headed back in, Rian leading the way with Kami. We all made our way through, loading up our plates, Kami and I helping Rian get his.

“What should we have for dessert Rian?” Kami looked down at him as they reached the table of desserts.

“Mmmm, cake and pudding!” Rian decided after surveying his options.

“How about we share that big piece of fudge cake? It has pudding in it to make it super moist.”

“Otay!”

I gave her an appreciative smile, for finding a way to not completely overdose him on sugar while still rewarding him. She winked at me and we headed to our usual table, the boys joining us after finishing up their plates.

After dinner we met up with Miss Maggie, sending Rian off with her for the night after saying goodnight. It would be nice to be able to tuck him in ourselves every night. Ivy already had the pack lawyers working on the paperwork.

“Goodnight my little Teine. I will see you tomorrow.” I kissed his forehead and tapped the tip of his nose.

Tristan ruffled his hair and kissed his head, “Sleep well little man.”

“Night night Mommy. Night night Daddy.” Rian was already tucking himself into Miss Maggie’s arms tuckered out from the evening shenanigans.

Our little group headed for the elevator, parting on our various floors. Kami and Brandon got off on the 4th floor, the rest of us riding up to the 5th.

“I don’t know about the rest of you, but my muscles are screaming for a shower after the antics of this evening.” Cedric grumbled a bit as he stretched his upper body.

I laughed and hugged both him and Mat, “You’re not the only one. I promise. We should do a family dinner night sometime soon, before Alpha Traitor arrives. I miss Jake’s cooking…”

“Your cooking is his cooking, Aly..” Mat rolled his eyes at me, “But yes, we should. I’m sure everyone would enjoy getting together.”

“Yes but it tastes so much better when I don’t have to make it.” I grinned at him.

“Totally fair.” Mat conceded.

“It’s a thing.” Cedric said about the same time Mat spoke.

“We’ll see you guys at training in the morning.” Tristan grinned as Mat groaned.

“Fiiiiine.” Mat scowled. He hated getting up that early.

“Don’t be a drama llama Mattie, and don’t make me come in and wake you up!” I threatened.

Cedric laughed and Tristan pulled me into his side, wrapping his arm around my shoulders, “Come on Half-Pint. Let him alone for the night.”

“Saved by the Alpha, Mattie.” I grinned, Mat making a face at me.

Tristan just shook his head and led us down the hall towards our suite while Mat and Cedric entered theirs, laughing the whole time.

“We really do have a good group.” I murmured as Tristan swung our door open, letting me walk in ahead of him.

“Yes we do, and it’s just made better by you.” He smiled and pulled my body against his, kissing me softly, but deeply.

I melted into his body and his kiss. I love this man more than anything in this world. “Mmm, I never tire of that.”

“Me either.” He swatted my ass, “Now let’s get a shower and go to bed before I decide to keep you awake all night and we’re both useless at training in the morning.”