Big Bad Alphas

Chapter 25

"So, you are the Luna, Alpha Tates mate?"

"Yes, but we haven't been together for long."

"Caroline told me that the two of you planned the birthday celebration for Sebastian Tate. It was

lovely," Lucas compliments as we sit across each other in the living room. Caroline sits closely beside

him as Evangeline is near me.

"Caroline planned most of it, and I pretty much watched her work as I constantly fell asleep. I don't

know how she manages to work for so long without rest."

Evangeline smiles. "That's my Caroline."

"Is Dad coming by?" She asks, and Evangeline tells her he is busy helping the newer guards with

training, but he will stop by for dinner. "Well, when will Eric be home?"

"Any time between now and dinner," I say. "We haven't spoken since this morning."

"And everything went well with the rogue searches?" Evangeline asks.

"Yes, he told me they found a few tracks nearby. Seems to be a group."

"You know, Lucas just helped his Alpha take down a pack of rogues. Maybe he can help?" Caroline

says then looks up at her mate. "I'm sure an extra mind could bring new ideas."

"Now, you are Alpha Kenn's Beta?" Evangeline asks, and he confirms. "He is a kind man. I met him a

few times when he came for meetings every now and then."

"I couldn't ask for anyone better to work with."

The conversation continues, and I come to the conclusion that I rather like Lucas. He is respectful and

appropriate, nothing about him makes me question if Caroline will be happy with him. She seems

fulfilled by just sitting beside him. All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Sebastian arrives and greets Lucas smoothly, no threats or coldness, which I am expecting from Eric.

His eyes watch me, waiting for something that I am not sure of, or just watching to make sure I do not

tell on him like a child. I wonder if Evangeline knows about his runs and how he fought a rogue

yesterday. I should not be questioning my mate's father, a past Alpha, but I cannot help it.

We sit down for dinner, not waiting for Eric because we do not know when he will be back. Sebastian

sits at one end with Caroline and Lucas on one side and Evangeline and me on the other. Two other

women came in to help Marina cook and serve dinner, as she refused my help along with Carolines. I

expected her to refuse Carolines, though.

"What do you two plan on doing with your time together?" Evangeline asks the pair as we eat.

"I thought we could spend this time getting to know each other, nothing specific," Caroline explains.

"Lucas is leaving tomorrow night, so I want to learn as much as I can by then."

"Where will Lucas be staying?" Her father questions as her cheeks heat up.

"Dad," she swiftly whispers, and I take over, trying to save her from embarrassment.

"Why... Lucas is staying at the pack house. There are so many guest rooms we could house your entire

pack."

Lucas smiles and nods while Caroline does not look so content. She must be disappointed in the

sleeping arrangements, but I am sure she will work her way around the rules. "Lucas, tell us about your

family. Are you close?" Evangeline changes the subject.

"Yes, I see them every..."

My attention is snatched away by the sounds of a car pulling up to the house, then the shutting of a car

door. My heart picks up pace, and I excuse myself from the table. Hurrying to the door, I slip out when I

see Eric getting out of the car along with Health.

I rush down the steps, and he looks to me. "Eric doesn't be upset," I start and his face shifts from

happy to concerned.

"Well, you are walking, so I suppose the injury is not too bad," he says. "Now before you explain,

welcome me home like everything is perfect."

I sigh and fight back a fierce smile. For a moment, I forgot that he is home. The fact that Lucas is here

and he does not know has taken over as the most important thing for a second, when it is actually the

fact that Eric is back safe. I curse myself before wrapping my arms around him. "Sorry, I just wanted to

tell you before you go in and overreact."

He holds me closely and does not say a word for a moment to two; he just enjoys the embrace. "Okay,

you can explain now."

"Well, Caroline's mate is visiting."

He crosses his arms. "When?"

"Now."

"He is inside right now?" Eric repeats and looks to the front door. "How come you did not tell me

earlier?"

"I didn't want to distract you, but everything is going nicely. Caroline, Evangeline, Lucas, Sebastian,

and I are all having dinner, and I want—"

"You're telling me that Caroline's mate is in there, and so is my father?" I nod. "To think I would come

home and relax."

"You still can. Lucas seems like a good guy, Eric. There is really nothing to worry about."

Walking into the dining room, I return to my seat while Eric sits at the other end of the table, opposite to

his father. "It is nice to meet you, Alpha Tate," Lucas greets Eric, and I watch carefully.

Eric sighs and forces a smile to his face. "Yes, I have been waiting to meet you ever since the party."

Caroline seems happy with her brother's response, as does Evangeline, but it comes Eric's father, and

I cannot tell what he is thinking. His face is blank like he does not know his son has arrived and joined

in. "How was the trip?" Evangeline cuts in.

Once dinner is over, we move to the living room, and Marina offers coffee. I sit uncomfortably between

Eric and his father while Evangeline sits in a chair on her own, and Lucas and Caroline take the love-

seat. I can feel the tension closing in on me. Thankfully, Evangeline decides that it is time for her and

her mate to leave, as she is exhausted. Caroline seems happy, as her father left before he could take

her with him. She might just have a chance to be alone with Lucas.

"It is rather late," Eric comments once they are gone. "Shouldn't you head home Caroline?" He prefers

to have Lucas stay here than with his sister.

"It is only eleven, but if you are tired, maybe you should just go to bed."

"Before knowing you are home safe?"

She smiles. "I'm sure Lucas can walk me home."

I interrupt. "Maybe Caroline should stay here? We have enough rooms; two more taken wouldn't be a

problem."

Eric looks to me. "Can I speak to you?"

We step aside into the hall. The light from the living room dimly reaches into the darkness of the

hallway, but the moonlight illuminates the rest with almost blue tones. Once satisfied with the distance

between the couple and us, Eric comes to a stop. "If they are both here it makes it even easier for them

to be together."

"We can put Caroline at the end of the hall and Lucas beside us, then if he leaves or she tries to sneak

in, we can hear it."

"And if we don't?"

I lean against the wall. "You know how hard it is to sleep soundly knowing your mate is so close by."

"So what do you suggest? We let them sleep together?" He questions sarcastically. "I am not letting

that guy sleep in the same bed as my sister."

"It would be easier for them to be together if Caroline goes home. He could easily get out through a

window without us hearing him, but at least the hallway gives us a chance. I wish we didn't have to

worry about this. What if they just sleep? What if you are overreacting?"

"You expect them to sleep?"

My eyes find his. "We did."

"But Caroline is not like you, Isabella," he tells me while his hand connects with my arm in an assuring

way. "It is not the same."

"Why can't it be?"

"Because Caroline has been with someone before, which only makes the decision easier now, and I'm

sure he has too. It would be nothing new, nothing to worry too much about."

Confused, I look away.

Caroline is not like me because she has been with someone before? What is that supposed—oh.

"Well," I struggle. "Maybe we should just tie them up and lock the doors."

By the way, he said what he did; I can tell it would be nothing new for him either. These thoughts never

came to me before, thoughts of Eric with other people. This connection we share must have blinded me

from the idea that there were people before me. Of course, I know about Olivia, but I never allow my

mind to think in such ways.

"Isabella," he starts, saying my name which usually affects me. "I can deal with this. How about you get

ready for bed? I'll be up soon."

Not wanting to talk about the subject anymore, I agree and head upstairs on my own. I pass the two in

the living room and mutter that I have a headache, so they will not begin another conversation. Eric's

voice is the last thing I hear before it drowns downstairs and I can no longer make out his words.