Mated to the Alpha and His Beta (Lanie Stanton) novel Chapter 455

Chapter 455
Mason

The minute I heard the doubt in Monroe’s voice, I almost got up from the table. I should’ve known they weren’t going to welcome me here. I might’ve been a Constantine by blood, but I’d known for my entire life that blood was not necessarily thicker than water.

“What do you mean?” Xander asked in a cold, hard tone. Full Alpha mode.

Monroe shrugged. “It just sucks to find out that your dad really wasn’t the great guy we all thought he was. That’s all.”

He turned to me. “Xander says you’re his brother, and as far as I’m concerned, that’s enough for me.”

“Same goes for me,” Maxim said so firmly that I knew he meant it.

“Mason, you’re super tense, man. Relax a bit.” Zane’s calming voice reached me through the mind link we shared with my brother.

“They’re cool,” Xander added.

I forced a smile I hoped looked natural as I offered my forearm to Monroe to grip. Then to his…were they brothers? They looked like they could be. I offered my forearm to Maxim for a grip.

“I’m glad to be a part of the pack and share the leadership challenges with Xander,” I told them both, making sure I made eye contact with each of them to show my sincerity. “I vow to do my best to stand by his side and also have his back.”

The other two men nodded with nearly identical grins. They looked down the table toward their mate. Mindy and Lanie were giggling, heads together, while Stella watched with wide eyes. She joined their laughter a moment later.

Isaac and Alaina came into the dining room, both looking sleepy and grumpy. Alaina rushed to Xander, who held out his arm to pull her close. Isaac walked a little slower, his eyes already on the food.

“Morning,” our son grunted as he headed right for the buffet.

Alaina hugged Zane next, then me. She leaned her head against mine for a few seconds, and I felt a small press of reassurance swirling around her. I looked at her in surprise, although I shouldn’t have been shocked that she was able to affect me like that. The twins would always share a bond with Xander and Zane from being raised by them from birth, just like Stella shared the same with me. But Alaina was my daughter. My blood.