My Fated Alpha's Cruel Game (Elena and Marcus) novel Chapter 134

Chapter 134: Chapter 134 Pack Under Stars

Elena’s POV

Sixteen years had passed, and here I was, bustling around preparing for one of our regular pack gatherings. These barbecues happened every few months, bringing our entire community together under the stars for an evening of music, dancing, and shared stories. Tonight would be no different, with a live band already setting up and the dance floor cleared and ready.

I was balancing a stack of ceramic plates when strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind. The sudden contact nearly sent the dishes tumbling to the ground.

"Caleb!" I shouted, spinning around to face my son’s grinning face.

"What’s wrong?" he asked, that familiar troublemaker’s smile spreading across his features.

"I honestly don’t know what I’m supposed to do with you anymore," I said, shaking my head.

"I’m twenty-two now, mom. Your options are pretty limited," he replied with a shrug.

I planted my hand firmly on my hip and stared him down. "I could always suggest you get yourself a job and find your own place to live."

The laughter from his group of friends died instantly at my words.

"Did I mention lately how absolutely wonderful you are?" Caleb said sweetly, planting a quick kiss on my cheek.

"Brown-noser," Damien called out as he emerged from the packhouse.

Caleb dropped into one of the nearby chairs with theatrical casualness. "So when exactly are you two planning to step down and let me run things around here?"

Damien crossed his arms and fixed our son with a stern look. "When you stop thinking that pulling childish pranks on pack members is the height of entertainment, maybe we’ll consider it."

"Fine, whatever," Caleb said, already standing and waving his friends over. "We’re heading to training. Don’t worry, we’ll be back before this party gets started."

"Enjoy yourselves," I called after them as they jogged away.

Damien shook his head as he watched them disappear. "I can’t get over how immature that boy still is."

I turned to him with raised eyebrows. "Gee, I wonder where he might have learned that behavior?"

"Mommy!" Five-year-old Seraphina’s voice rang out as she came running toward me with arms outstretched.

I scooped her up immediately. "Where have you been hiding all day, little one?"

"Nora wouldn’t let me help with anything for the party," Seraphina said, pointing an accusing finger at her nanny.

"Well, I’m sure Nora had excellent reasons for keeping you occupied elsewhere. Like the fact that you always try to eat all the food before our guests arrive," I said, beginning to tickle her sides.

She dissolved into giggles, squirming and laughing in my arms while Damien chuckled at her animated reactions.

"Hey, what are you doing to my little sister? Nobody gets to pick on her except me," Caleb announced, swooping in to lift Seraphina from my arms before running off with her.

The bond between Caleb and Seraphina never failed to warm my heart. He adored her completely and took his role as protective big brother seriously, though he also had a terrible habit of teaching her his worst behaviors. Fortunately, since we knew exactly where she was learning these things, we simply explained to Seraphina that they were inappropriate while Caleb faced the consequences.

Damien had wandered over to speak with his brother Gage and Gage’s mate Jade when I noticed the pack doctor making his way through the crowd toward me.