A Talk With the Boys

I hate to pull myself away from Nikki; I swear I feel an actual pull to her, which is crazy. The only way I’d feel a pull to someone is if they were my fated mate, and Nikki isn’t that. I ignored my feelings and the pull to leave her. My son is waiting for me, and I can’t keep him waiting. 

I head into the packhouse, greeting pack members as I go. I always wanted to have a pack that respected me, and I was able to accomplish that. I love the fact that my pack members have always found it easy to talk to or come to me when they need to. I will never forgive myself for allowing the treatment that Tia went through, though. She always says it isn’t my fault, but I feel if I had been more diligent, I would have seen what was going on. I had a feeling things were off, but I allowed Stuart to push me off the path of realization, and there's no excuse for that. 

The office door is open, so I walk right in; Landon is sitting at his desk. He looks up from his paperwork, and a smile breaks on his face. He is in front of me before I realize it and wrapping me up in a hug. I swear he reminded me of the time I would bring him and his brother with me to the office when they were young. They would love to sit at my desk and ‘play Alpha.’ Now, they really are the Alphas of this pack, and I couldn’t be prouder.

I wrap my arms around him tighter for a second and pat his back. I pull back and pat his cheek. “Hey, son, how are you feeling?” Landon makes his way back behind his desk and has a seat. I mimic his actions, sitting in front of him.

“I’m good, dad. I’m nervous as hell, but I’m good.”

“Why are you nervous, son?”

“I’m going to be a dad, and I have no idea how to do that.” I throw my head back and laugh.

“I remember feeling the same way when you two were coming along. I know it seems crazy and unreal right now, but don’t worry. You two will do great, and your child will love all three of you.” Landon gives me a small smile. We sit quietly, with Landon’s gaze burning a hole in me. “Is everything okay?”

“Are YOU okay, Dad?”

“What do you mean?” I shift in my chair, not sure where this conversation is going.

“You look…..different. You look happier, even glowing.” I clear my throat and divert my gaze. Could it be that my interest in Nikki is visible to the world? It isn’t like I’m keeping it a secret, but I don’t really need everyone to know yet. I don’t even think Nikki is feeling the same as I am, so I don’t want everyone to think something is going on and then get massively rejected. 

“Probably just being an ex-Alpha, the weight is no longer on my shoulders. See how you and your brother feel when you pass the torch.” Landon continues to look at me, so I’m not sure if he’s buying what I’m selling, but I don’t have to worry about it because Lincoln walks into the office.

“Dad! What are you doing here?” I stand up when he approaches me, wrapping him in my arms.

“Your brother asked to see me, so here I am.” Lincoln steps away and sits next to his brother. 

“What’s up, Landon?” Landon gives me one more long look before turning to his brother.

“I just wanted to catch up with Dad, actually. He seems so far away now that he isn’t in the packhouse.” Landon turns to me. “Dad, how was your trip? How has the traveling been going?”

“Traveling is good. It felt good to get out and about and not have to worry about running back to handle business. I have a feeling, though, you didn’t want to talk to me about that.” Landon sighs. 

“Yeah, you got me. I actually wanted to talk to you about……. Mom.” A growl comes from Lincoln, and I can’t really blame him. I lean back in my seat and get comfortable.

“What about her?”

“Well, have you talked to her?”

“Does it matter?” Lincoln mumbles under his breath, and I get where he’s coming from.

“Hey, don’t do that. You can feel how you feel about your mother, but so can Landon. He is concerned, and that’s fine. Your mother has been calling, and I’ve been avoiding her calls. When I have answered, it’s been to tell her to stop calling.” Landon’s face falls a bit. “Have you been talking to her?” Landon sighs.

“Not yet, but I think I want to.”

“WHY?! Why do you want to talk to her after everything she’s done and what she tried to do to Tia?”

“She’s our mother, Lincoln! She gave birth to us. No matter what she’s done, she’s still our mother.” I sigh and close my eyes. This may be the worst part about everything Kimberly has done to this family; her sons are pitted against each other over her. 

“Boys! Both of your feelings are valid. It’s okay for you to not want to talk to her, Lincoln,” I point to him, and he nods. “But it’s also okay for you to want to reach out to her, Landon. You have to do whatever’s in your heart. You can’t be mad at the other for what they want or don’t want to do. Don’t let this become a rift between you two, especially when you have a child coming.” Lincoln and Landon look at each other and start to mind-link. I smile, knowing they are making up. I wait until their eyes clear to continue. “You boys can do whatever you like. I prefer to keep my communication with your mother nonexistent. Too much was done, and I’m not inclined to go backward at this time. Don’t let my refusal interfere with whatever you feel is necessary.” I get up and stretch out. I love talking with my sons, but right now, I have a date to get ready for. I want everything to go well with Nikki. “If you two don’t mind, I have something to take care of. Give my love to my daughter in mate.” I nod and walk out of the office, whistling as I go.