Mated to the Alpha and His Beta (Lanie Stanton) novel Chapter 441

Chapter 441
Mason

Under any other circumstances, being on this luxury yacht would’ve been the vacation of a lifetime. The skipper, Captain Jon, greeted us with glasses of champagne and explained apologetically that he’d be the only crew on board for this trip. He said the words with a hint of confusion in his voice, like he didn’t quite understand what he was saying.

He showed us belowdecks to the small but fancy cabins. None were big enough for all four of us, but we’d have to deal. This trip was only about luxury on the surface. We all had other things on our minds rather than who got to cuddle up with who.

The tour included a peek into the galley, a small dining room, and then abovedecks to take a look at the wheelhouse. Captain Jon briefly demonstrated the helm and all the equipment.

“How is she in storms?” Xander asked. He sounded a little nervous.

I couldn’t blame him. I was, too. Even the minor rocking of the boat at anchor was enough to get my heart racing. Out of all of us, only Stella and the captain didn’t seem at all worried.

Jon grinned. “She’ll weather storms just fine. Why? Are you expecting some?”

“I guess I should ask you that question,” Xander said.

The captain’s gaze turned a little foggy. “No. No storms.”

I looked off to the horizon and the dark clouds there. “You sure about that?”

“We have to go, no matter how bad the weather gets. I’m making him see only sunny skies. Don’t poke him, Abba,” Stella scolded through our family link.

It turned out that Stella was doing more than making Captain Jon see only sunny skies. She was making him believe he could crew this yacht all by himself, a feat that was only possible because we were not the usual crew of rich tourists demanding gourmet meals and turn-down service.

“But…he really can sail the ship. Right?” Xander asked when we were all gathered on the back deck, watching the land recede into the distance.

Stella shaded her eyes for a moment before taking a seat in a padded deck chair attached to the deck with a chain. There was a bit of exasperation in her tone, but also fondness. “Yes, Daddy.”

“She doesn’t want there to be more people involved than have to be,” Lanie told him.

Xander frowned and stared out over the water. “How long will it take us to get there?”