The Oddball Alphas

Chapter 3

Marabelle

I stood on the stone steps waiting for my sons and my daughter to return. They have been gone for too long, and I am starting to sweat. I am even under the dark blue cloth umbrella extended from the pack house. My clasped hands keep tightening in front of me. I could not stop them with my anxiety reaching new levels from the images flitting through my head. I could not help pacing a bit in front of the double glass doors while occasionally playing with my pearl necklace. It did not match my yellow dress, but it was a gift from my mate and helped to keep me calm.

This is the first time those men have gotten their hands on my Emily, and I feel like I lost her. She is almost eighteen- a woman. Men will exploit her, especially Hunters and other packs that want to tear down my sons for being Lycans. I do not want that kind of life for her. I need to be stricter with her, but I cannot do it after my mate has died.

His grandfather built this pack house that looks like a hotel. It has rolling green lawns, and the building is curved to nearly touch its sides together in the backyard. There are tinted windows on all ten floors, even the sliding glass doors. The wood is painted dark brown with a few patches of gray stone and hardened sandy-looking cement. The only pieces of metal are on the parts of the roof that stick out, but they are solar panels that help cut the cost of electricity. There is even a large garage hidden by a cluster of trees on the left.

There is no way I would let them get out of their heritage.

Still, I wait for my children to return with Jake’s beta, Matt. His chestnut-brown hair is mused, and his brown eyes reflect the same anxiety that is in me. His lean face is tense like his long, lean body, wearing a rumpled button-up white shirt and tanned slacks. I feel bad for calling him back on duty when his mate and he were supposed to have some much-needed quality time together.

My attire was pristine as usual. There is not one wrinkle in my dress hiding the pudginess of my body. It almost matches my hair, which styled in a twist. I have gray threading through it from where I lost my mate, though. The dress cuts off at my knees and has a circular neckline to hide my aging.

Werewolves do not age, but I cannot stop it. It is the curse of Lycan, who loses a mate. We will begin to age and die like a human.

“Anything yet?” I asked as I wrung my fingers.

“No,” he answered tensely. “I don’t like the silence.”

“Neither do I,” I responded distantly, feeling my tears prick my eyes.

“How are you holding up, Luna?” Matt asked, coming to my side.

“I’m not so fragile,” I responded playfully. I know that is a lie. I am more fragile than I have ever been in my life. "I can hold my own."

“The alphas are coming. Alpha Ramsey’s driving.”

“D****t!” I swore harshly with my face contorting in anger at the one who poked his head out of the door. That boy loves speed. “I told Jake to never let him drive with Emily in the car!”

“I’m sure there is a reason, Luna,” Matt said weakly in his attempt to comfort me.

I gave him an arched brow look that said I knew better, but I was deterred by the squeal of tires. My head jerked to the orange stone wall with the black iron gate that swung open immediately. My heart lurched into my throat at the way the back end swung, almost lifting it up on two wheels. It shook when it settled down and moved forward with the tires squealing. My heart pounded heavily as I watched the Mustang rush through the driveway. I grabbed my throat, struggling not to scream as people jumped out of the way. The omegas screamed for me, anyway.

I wanted to throttle that boy for his idiocy. He had no right to scare them like that! I started to get angrier until they braked hard, coming to a stop under the extended porch.

Emily is in the car with them, looking frightened and tense. I can completely understand, but she usually rides in the back. This time it was Jake and Ted, and they looked to be holding someone. I couldn't see well from where I stood, making my eyes narrow to try to see who it was.

Did one of our people get hurt?

There are first aid kits in each SUV. Why did they not use them? Is this person hurt terribly? I will wait to find out, especially as a sandy-haired man rushes out of the doors from behind me with a quick apology. Worry tightened his round face, and his green eyes looked wide with fright and determination. I wanted to stop him and ask what was going on, except two nurses rushed out of the doors, too.

“Doctor!” Jake roared as he jumped out of the car. He reached back inside, grabbing a pair of feet.

“Mom!” Emily cried and rushed to me as Matt went to the alphas.

I was about to open my mouth to say something, but I saw Emily’s tear-stained face. She drew my attention more, wondering if she was hurt. She was most likely scared by her brother’s driving, I know. I wrapped my arms around her and shushed her, hoping to give her some comfort while I was angry.

“Mom,” she called as she pulled back forcefully. “I’m so sorry.” She looked at me pleadingly, which melted my heart. "I did not think that going by myself to the mall one time would hurt."

“It’s alright,” I said softly. “Are you okay?”

“Hold her still, Alphas,” Dr. Easton ordered loudly as my three sons growled at him. “She needs a few stitches to help the wolf heal her.”

“You better make it quick, Doctor,” Ted warned.

His Lycan was in his voice, which told me that he is about to lose his cool. It was so unlike him. I took a step forward hoping to ease whatever was bothering him. I have never seen him lose his temper with anyone, even nasty criminals that speak vile words. It shocked me to hear him sound that way. My mouth nearly dropped as I tried to look to see who had gotten hurt.

“Don’t, Mom,” Emily gasped as she grabbed my arm. I looked at her curiously. “The woman is their mate. She saved my life, but she was stabbed with a knife that had wolfsbane on it. She… She is not doing so well.”

“No!” I gasped.

If my sons lose their mate, then they are lost. They will be in the same position I am in and that is not what their father asked me to do. He wanted me to live and make sure that they did well for themselves. I only have Emily left to finish raising her, and then I can be with my love. Now, I don’t know if I can do that with my sons ready to lose their minds to grief.

Why goddess? Why?

My heart twists in pain for them. I don’t want to lose my sons on top of losing my mate and alpha. I do not want them to feel the weight of grief drag them into its slumber and never wake up again. They deserve to have a life.

Why did this have to happen?

My heart started to thump harshly and clench as I watched the young woman not move an inch. She should have felt every needle prick and heard her mates growl at the doctor. Her pale face seemed to be getting paler, and I could barely hear her breathing. It did not matter with all the noise in this area. I would not be able to hear a bee or a fly.

Then, I noticed that the omegas were looking through the doors at what was going on, and I waved them away. They did not need to see their future Luna in this condition. She will be announced when the alphas deem it, and if she lives. She must live for my sons, though.

“Go ahead, Alphas,” Dr. Easton called quickly as he moved out of their way.

Ted gently picked her up with Jake and Ramsey running ahead to get to the doors. They worked as a team to get her into the pack house and… Well, I don’t know where they are going to place her, but I hope it is the Luna’s Suite.

Andy, get the medical gear out of the basement and take it to the alpha’s floor immediately. Get some help if you need it.

Yes, Luna.

“Mom, Mom, are you listening?!” Emily called loudly, becoming impatient.

“Em, I am trying to help your brothers save their mate’s life!” I snapped, making her head snap back. She looked hurt that I would raise my voice, which hurt my heart. I pulled her into my arms and hugged her tightly. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. It’s a tense situation. My sons may lose their mate, and if that happens, I will lose my sons. You will lose your brothers. You need…”

“I know, Mom,” Emily said softly, with tears sounding in her voice. “I don’t want to think about that. I want to think about her getting better. She must get better, not just for them but for me. She saved my life, Mom. She took a knife for a stranger.”

“And she is a rogue,” Robbie jibbed as he walked by.

“And?” I snapped at him. “The goddess designated her as their fated mate. You need to get over whatever problem you have with her. She will be your Luna. You will have to answer to her or be removed."

I have a feeling that he is not going to make it easy for my son's mate. The hardened look on his face said enough. I wanted to say more, but I let it go. There is a lot I must do to prepare for the change and help my sons, who need guidance right now. They will not eat or drink until she is well. I will have to make excuses at dinner about their whereabouts, which Matt can help me with.

“Go get cleaned up and changed, Em,” I ordered. “We are going to begin making sure Jake’s, Ted’s, and Ramsey’s mate have a nearly smooth ride to the Luna title.”