Rayan slept peacefully for the first time in months. He was here as was his mate. He awoke early. left his room, and decided to go for a run. He was not alone. Brecken was up as well and joined him. The two needed to talk. Ma had been in touch and wanted to meet their mates and children.
Before they left the alpha home, Rayan went into the kitchen to see if Suni had arrived. She had not, and the head cook, Ms. Kay, sent both men on their way. As they went out, several members of the pack joined them for their morning run. Some were Suni's brothers and Rayan knew he was about to be vetted. He was not alone; they were interested in his brother as well. Everyone was aware of that he was also claiming Mari as his mate. She lost her parents decades ago, so the men felt they were within their rights to check this man out. The males all undressed shifted and ran. Ryelle was in bed, curled around his mate. He sensed something was up and sent a command that no one needed to be hurt. If an altercation occurred, they faced him.
Tasha knew something was going on. Feeling down their bond, she sensed his annoyance. This was still new to her and she was adjusting. Being Madam Alpha was challenging. She was still learning how to control her bonds with all of the pack members. Ryelle was a great coach, and that made her love him even more. She knew the males were up to something.
Tasha laughed. "So, if we have a daughter and some gorgeous guy comes along to take her away, you're going to be like all calm and cool?" She teased.
Ryelle laughed, "Hell no. I'm practicing with Olivia and Dreya. When we have our daughter, it's lockdown 24/7, no breaks. And then if some snot-nosed boy sneaks through, he has me and her uncles to deal with, including Lee-John." He added smirking.
"Oh God, you are not putting our daughter on lockdown. She will have the same freedoms as the other kids within our pack." Tasha added. Then she laughed, "Besides, that's not something we need to worry about right now anyway."
Ryelle nodded. Lavinia had given birth, as did several pack members. He and Tasha had yet to conceive. Latonya and Lugz were excited about their son. Damian and Kas were not in a hurry. Ms. Nancy told all of them they had plenty of time, just wait.
Ryelle got up. "Babe, we need to move to the alpha home. I just... Well, father lived there and... " He sighed, unable to complete his thoughts.
Tasha hugged him. "Baby, I am down for you like four flat tires. Whatever you decide, I'm here." She whispered. Ryelle smiled,. With a mate as strong as his mate, then he'd be alright.
The group of men ran, racing through the vast forest, enjoying the fresh morning air. The coolness of the morning coated their bodies as they exercised their muscles.
Stopping, the men shifted and sat. One of Suni's brothers spoke. "I like you, Rayan; you too, Brecken. Just take care of my sister and niece, ok." He added. He could have challenged both men, but his sister would not be happy with that. Besides they ran and talked. He realized that this man loved his kid sister, so much so, that for over a year, he held out on claiming her simply out of respect for the alpha and father. As they ran, Rayan and Brecken talked, Brecken was besotted with Mari, from the inflection in his voice, her pack mates, knew the girl would be taken care of forever.
One of the males that joined them had to ask. "Will your family accept them? They are different from you and we know a lot of people have problems with it?" He asked.
Brecken answered, "Mari is my life. When I see her, all I see is beauty. Anyone that has a problem needs to work on themselves. Mari and Naru are my family now, just as Suni and Dreya belong with my brother. No one will come between us." Brecken stood before the wolves, and reiterated the words, "No one."
Knowing the alpha's decree, the wolf backed down. He eyed Brecken once more, "Mari is special. If you had not come along, then maybe... Look, just knew I'm keeping tabs. You fuck up, and I'm stepping up." He whispered,
"Message received. You need to find your own mate. Mari is mine." Brecken declared.
Suni's brother stood and called a halt. Soon the males shifted and returned home. Rayan and Brecken went to dress for breakfast as the other males went about their morning too.
"Brecken, are you alright?" Rayan asked. He had never seen his brother so close to the edge since they became adults.
"He wants her. She is beautiful and I can understand, but she is my mate, my heart. He looked at me as if I'm lacking. I wonder if Mari feels the same to an extent. Dark Weres are unique in their abilities to adapt and evolve. As fair Weres, we have not changed much at all. I need to get myself together." Brecken sighed.
"Brecken, you are not just a wolf, but more. Yes, the dark Were is an amazing creature, but brother, so are we." Rayan reminded him.
Rayan waited, "Come on, our ladies and children are waiting for us."
"Mari knows what I am. I told her about the dragon. She seemed to be okay with it. She has to work today, but I wish she did not. We need some time to ourselves as well." Brecken sighed.
"I have to tell Suni. I will today. Hopefully, she will accept it because I can't give her up." Rayan stated. Brecken realized that his brother was actually afraid. He had not sensed fear in him since they were three years old and father rescued them.
"She is your other half. She loves you, and will accept you." Brecken sighed, "Trust me. I'm the oldest." The two laughed and headed to breakfast.
They entered the dining room and Suni smiled when Rayan entered. Brecken searched and saw Mari feeding both Dreya and Naru. He smiled and walked over. Leaning down, he kissed her forehead sending a clear message to all of the males at Jackson.
Mari was his and from now on off limits.
The males that ran with them early received the message all except the male that wanted to challenge him. Brecken looked at him and knew that he might be a problem.
*****
Rayan and Brecken ate with the alpha couple and Mari joined them. Suni served but Rayan waited around for Suni to finish. Knowing Suni was taking the day to spend time with her mate, Tasha volunteered to take Dreya. Ryelle loved spending time with his younger siblings. He suggested that Mari and Brecken take the day together as well.
So after breakfast, the alpha pair were official baby sitters for the day. Rayan thanked them and gently kissed his daughter. He told her to be good, she hugged him and smiled. He placed his hand on the waist of his mate, and whisked her off for time alone.
Brecken gladly did the same. Today, Mari would know for certain that he was everything she needed.
Ms. Kay had planned ahead and prepared picnic lunches for both couples. Suni and Rayan walked to the lake. It was beautiful; the sun reflected from the water as Rayan and Suni sat on the small beach.
Both were silent, each nit sure what to ask. Suni's wolf was going would and it took all of her strength to keep her down. Rayan had better control over his monster, but that was because his dragon helped.
"Where are you from? I know you reside with the Bertrand Pack, but your accent is different?" Suni asked.
Rayan smiled, I hail from Scotland. My brother and I relocated to the states to find a wolf family the live with." He explained,
"Find a wolf family, didn't you have family in Scotland?" Suni asked, perplexed. It was not unusual for orphaned cubs to be taken in by members of their pack.
Rayan took a deep breath, "Yes, but they were different from us. You see, my brother and I were raised by the MacLean clan. They adopted us when we were just babes."
"Tell me about growing up here?" Rayan asked, not sure how much to reveal.
Suni smiled. She described her childhood with love and vigor. Rayan was fascinated. Suni was so young. She had recently turned twenty four. Sheltered most of her life, she was willing to help her alpha in any way that she could. She told him about Dreya's birth and the fact that Alphonso was right there. She even mentioned Lavinia, but told him that after her threat, Jebutu stepped in. Lavinia was really his mate and he claimed her. Now, because she was happy, Lavinia was one of the most respected women in the pack.
She spoke of her parents with love and pride and Rayan knew that her parents meant everything to her. They would definitely visit as often as they could. Soon Suni stopped.
"Rayan, tell me about your family. You mentioned being adopted." She added sitting.
Rayan was nervous. "My parents are dragons. I have two more brothers and they are dragons too."
"Wait, why weren't you adopted by wolves?" Suni asked sensing he was trying not to reveal something.
"Hunters killed all of the Werewolves. My brother and I were the last two wolves alive in that region. We lived because my father found us the day hunters killed our mother. He took us home and we became his sons." Rayan stopped. He was waiting for her to look at him as if he was crazy.
"Rayan, look at me." Suni whispered.
"Tell me the rest." She demanded softly.
"I can't remember everything. Brecken hid a lot. He is the oldest of the two of us. But I remember, Momma was bleeding and a big golden and black dragon flew into the cave where we hid. He changed into man and eventually we climbed into his arms and he flew us home. Ma and Pa loved us. They declared us theirs and that was it. Many dragons told them to find a pack for us, but Pa told them we were MacLeans and that was it." Rayan explained.
Suni was fascinated, "What are dragons like? I've heard that they exist. Are they majestic, overbearing?"
No, wait. Rayan, opened his album on his phone and showed her pictures of his brothers and parents. She recognized Brecken immediately but the two gorgeous men with long rich black locks. They were identical and captivating. Rayan cleared his throat.
"Those two always get attention. If they weren't my brothers. I'd despise them." He teased.
Suni looked at a few more pictures and noticed something unique about Brecken and his brother."You are the same size and build of your dragon brothers. How is that possible?" She asked.
Rayan knew it was now or never. "We have identical DNA. We shared a blood bond when we were children. Because of that bond, Brecken and I inherited some dragon traits and our dragon brothers inherited Were traits as well."
