Fated to Be Family(30)

Caleb and Bran had been looking back and forth between the two of them.

Caleb turned to Damian. “Did you understand any of that?” he asked. Damian turned bright red.

“Looks like he did,” Bran said, groaning.

“Hey, if you three go at it again, I get to videotape it,” Rian said.

“Like hell!” Bran said.

Rian just pouted. Caleb, catching on, winked at Rian.

“I don’t know, Bran, we do owe him for protecting the boys,” he said seriously.

Kate bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. Bran’s mouth dropped.

“Seriously?” Bran whispered, his eyes wide.

Caleb couldn’t take it anymore. He threw his head back and laughed, which triggered the twins. They started giggling, sounding like little old men. Kate couldn’t take it anymore and began to laugh so hard she couldn’t get a breath in. Her chest just moved up and down as tears streamed from her eyes.

Kate started to see spots when Rian leapt from his chair and whacked her on the back. This caused her to inhale deeply and then loud, deep laughter burst forth. She fought to draw in breath and ended up sliding out of her chair under the table, laughing. Rian ended up beside her as they rolled around, giggling and laughing.

“It’s not funny,” Bran said, seriously, his mouth twitching.

Caleb slapped him on the back. New howls of laughter were heard from under the table.

“I am the Alpha, you know,” Bran said, peeking under the table.

“Stop, it hurts!” Kate said, holding her stomach.

“No more, Alpha,” Rian said and they both started laughing again.

“Well, I guess they’re done with breakfast,” Caleb said, elbowing Bran in the ribs, winking. Immediately the laughter stopped and two heads popped up from under the table.

“Hey, we’re still hungry!” Kate said. On her knees, she extended both hands over her muffin, guarding it.

Rian swiped his then sat back down, out of sight, to scarf it down.

“Aren’t you glad we only have the twins to raise?” Bran said, smiling.

Caleb chuckled and then resumed feeding the boys.

“For now. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kate ends up pregnant with a litter,” Rian said from the floor.

Kate, who had just taken a huge bit of the chocolate muffin, began to choke. Damian jumped up and handed her a cup of coffee. She cleared her airway, looked up, and saw Bran and Caleb were pale and looking at each other. Kate cleared her throat.

“Ri I’m afraid that’s impossible. I don’t think I can have children,” she said quietly, fingering her new necklace.

“Kate, what are you talking about?” Bran asked.

“We’ve been having unprotected sex for over a year and nothing. Fate mates us to a man with two sons. Do the math. I think it’s her way of compensating for me.” She picked at her muffin.

“You’re wrong,” Bran said.

“You just don’t want me to be right,” Kate said.

Caleb cleared his throat. “Let’s cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, let’s focus on this perimeter problem. What did Ma mean last night about killing the one responsible? I was so angry I think I was only hearing every other word.” Caleb desperately wanted to change the subject.

“The person who invited the hyenas into town would have had to physically walk them over the border, knowing that they would cause harm.” Bran explained.

“It wouldn’t work if a townsperson were kidnapped or forced to walk alongside someone. The townsperson would be able to cross and the perimeter would block the aggressor. But, if a townsperson willingly agreed to let someone in, knowing they would cause harm, the perimeter would be breached. As long as that person lives, the perimeter would be down for not only the small group that had walked through but also their entire clan. We have to be absolutely sure because once this person is found it’s a death sentence to secure our borders again.”

The joy and laughter of the morning seemed to evaporate.

“Rian is right. I’ll sit in on the interviews with you,” Caleb said, removing the boys’ bibs.

Bran nodded.

“I’ve lost my appetite. We might as well get started.” Bran stood.

Rian and Damian walked around the table to pick up the boys. Bran and Caleb left the dining room, heading to the office leaving Kate with Damian, Rian, and the boys.

“We have a big day planned, boys. First, a bath to get breakfast cleaned off you. Then a nap. Then we will work on our letters and then I have a wonderful educational video for you,” Rian said, rubbing noses with Lucas.

“Educational videos? Letters? Rian, they are barely eight months old,” Kate said.