Chapter 5 Next Step

• ~Tia~
• Lynn’s right. I grieve for my sister because of the type of person I am. If the roles were reversed, she wouldn’t give a damn about me dying. She probably would have been the reason why I’m gone. I can’t suspend my life grieving for someone who didn’t give a damn about me.
• I take a super short shower and throw my clothes on: a pair of jeans, a V-neck short-sleeved shirt, and some Airmaxs. Lynn is sitting on the bed waiting for me. She stands when she sees me and links her arm with mine as we walk out of our suite.
• It doesn’t take long to make it to the daycare, and they are surprised to see me. Our daycare is amazing, don’t get me wrong. It’s just that if I don’t need their services, I’d rather leave the spots open to those who do. I have enough family to care for Kian, so I’d rather take advantage. “Luna Tia, here he is. He hasn’t been here long. He’s such a good baby.” I grab Kian from her and kiss his cheeks.
• “Thank you for that. He will probably start coming when he’s older so he can get used to being around other children.” She nods and shakes her head. I don’t get a good hug in before Lynn snatches Kian from me. I swear you go through the time and agony of having a child, and everyone forgets all about you when the child comes out.
• The three of us set up in my office, and I watch Lynn with Kian. I know she’ll make a great mother one day, but don’t let her hear you say that. She doesn’t want to think about having kids any time soon. As she tells it, she has too much to do with her mates before she gets saddled with a child. I have to admit that I would have liked a bit more time with my mates, alone, but I love Kian with every part of me.
• “So I spoke to my dusty ass brother this morning.” I perk up at this, feeling horrible that I’ve gone so long without speaking to my best friend. I miss him dearly and should have checked in a while ago.
• “How is my other bestie? How does he like being an Alpha?”
• “He’s good, but he found a dead warrior body this morning.” The more information Lynn gives me, the more my stomach coils up. This sounds like it could be a vampire attack, and if it is, this is all my fault. Mark had no direct issues with my sister with either sister. If Aida is coming after him, it’s only because of his friendship with me.
• I stand up and start pacing. Kian starts to fuss, and Lynn busies herself, trying to calm him. “You know, he’s getting worked up because his mom is upset. Care to tell me what the issue is?” I reach out for Kian, and Lynn places him in my arms. I kiss his cheeks and rock him in my arms, trying to soothe him and myself. Kian eventually quiets down and starts to nod off.
• “It’s just that if that was a vampire attack….if it was Aida, then this is all my fault. Mark, his pack, hell even Jenna is in danger because of me. I’ve caused so many issues simply because I came home that one time.”
• “Bitch, bye!” I place Kian in his playpen, and Lynn pulls me to sit with her on the couch. “We aren’t doing this; we aren’t going to sit here and point fingers. You were commanded to come back, and you did. You found your fated mates when you returned. Everything that happened after that is not on you. You can’t control how others respond or act. You can only control yourself. The only thing you can do now is be the bad bitch we both know you have deep down inside.” I chuckle, but I know that Lynn is right. None of this is my fault because I can’t control what others do. I can control myself, and I need to start there.
• “So what do we do?” Lynn sighs.
• “If you and the Alphas can maintain without me, then I will take the guys to go see Mark. We will get everything sorted out and go from there. I want to see the body myself and figure out what happened.”
• “That sounds like a plan. We should do that, but do you think Aida and her….friend will strike while you are gone.”
• “I doubt it. Aida was passed out, so I figure she just barely turned. They will probably want to start a war, and for that they need people. We have some time, not much, but some.” Some time is better than none. We need a plan because I refuse to lose anything more to my sisters.
• ~Lynn~
• I leave Kian and Tia in her office and search for my mates. We will meet with everyone as soon as the Alphas are free to tell them the next steps. I’m pretty excited to see my brother. It hasn’t been a very long time, but it’s been long enough. I’m not used to being without him, so I’m more than ready to see him. “What has you so deep in thought, beautiful?” I practically jump out of my skin, not scenting Vonte as I was walking to the training center. He’s shirtless and only wearing some basketball shorts. There’s sweat glistening on his body, and I try to clench my thighs to keep my arousal in. No such luck. “Mmmmm…..I have to say, you smell heavenly.” I roll my eyes and try to keep my smirk in.
• “That is not why I came looking for you.” Vonte places his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his sweaty body. “Ewww! You could take a shower first.” Vonte throws his head back and laughs.
• “Now you and I both know a little sweat doesn’t bother you. I work up more sweat than this when I’m pleasing you, now don’t I?” If I could see my face, I know it would be as red as it could get.
• “Now, now. It isn’t just you that she likes to see sweaty, brother.” Goddess! Sometimes having two mates is a real pain in the ass. A mindlink comes in before I can respond.
• Landon and Lincoln will be done soon. We should meet with them before they get busy again.
• “As much as I’d love to go back and forth with you two, we need to meet with the Alphas. How about you two shower so we can do that.” Vonte and Devonte look at each other before looking at me, their eyes as black as night. “Uh, shower WITHOUT me. I will be waiting for you two in the Alpha office.” They groan and kiss me on the cheek before walking to the packhouse. Pains in my ass, indeed.