#8 The Archer and her Wolf

Xaiver

Waiting inside my office were Alphas Theo and Tigris along with their younger siblings Timbre and Talia. Thea grinned widely and threw herself at her siblings, hugging them tightly.

“We wanted to make sure that you were okay.” Alpha Tigris said. That’s when I noticed that the Alphas’ mate, Nora, was here as well, standing behind the Alphas.

“You didn’t have to come all the way out here. I just saw you all yesterday.” She frowned but I could tell that she was beyond thrilled to have them here.

“It’s not that far, Thea.” Theo chuckled, ruffling Thea’s hair. She swatted at him and made an irritated noise.

“Everything okay here?” Tigris asked, eyeing me suspiciously from behind Thea.

“Well, I think so.” I said with a shrug and Tigris’ eyes narrowed on me,

“Everything’s fine, Tigris, simmer down.” Thea laughed before turning her attention to the younger ones, “And what are you two doing here?” She asked Talia and Timbre.

“We wanted to see you!” Talia squealed, latching on to Thea’s waist. She knelt down and kissed the top of Talia’s head, squeezing her tightly,

“I’m glad you came.” Thea smiled, “What about you, Timbre?” She grabbed her brother’s hand and pulled him towards her for a hug.

At thirteen, Timbre was nearly a fully grown wolf and stood almost as tall as Thea. He stiffly returned Thea’s hug, but his facial expression changed just enough for me to know that he enjoyed his sister’s affection.

“I guess.” Timbre shrugged, agreeing with Talia.

“Mom, Dad, and Papa also wanted us to come to make sure everything was okay. Something about it being the Alpha’s duty to ensure a smooth transition for our members from one pack to another, but I think they really just wanted to check in on you.” Tigris chuckled, lazily wrapping his arm around Nora’s waist.

“Well, either way, I meant what I said before. You are all welcome in our pack anytime.” I assured the Greyback children.

“Thanks again for that, Xaiver.” Tigris nodded once at me.

“Then there’s Tate.” Theo grumbled,

“What about him?” Thea asked, her tone changing.

“I’m sure it’s Quinny, but…..the Red River pack has sent a formal letter of communication.” Theo looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here. Thea stepped away from her younger siblings.

“Communication about what?” She asked carefully.

Theo glanced at Tigris who was cowering behind their mate. Nora glared at him and shot Theo a comforting smile.

“Theo, just say it.” Thea sighed, looking irritated. I stepped up beside her and brushed my hand against her arm.

“A formal declaration ending an alliance.” Theo said,

“Tate ended Red River’s alliance with Satin Moon?” Thea gasped but Theo shook his head.

He pulled an envelope out of his pocket and handed it off to me. I took it curiously, opening the letter and scanning its contents. I held it out for Thea.

“Red River is ending their alliance with us.” I said and Thea’s eyes went wide.

“You’re not serious?” She snatched the letter from my hand and quickly read it, “What an idiot.” She growled but I saw the pain hidden away in her eyes.

“Why didn’t he send this directly to me?” I asked Theo and Tigris.

“Because he’s a coward,” Tigris snapped, “He sent us a letter informing us of the change and then asked that we pass this letter along to you.”

“I can’t believe him.” Thea mumbled. She released the letter and it fluttered soundlessly to the floor. I took her hand and soothingly ran my thumb across her knuckles, “I’m sorry.” She said, catching my gaze.

“You have nothing to be sorry for, my love. Any Alpha who doesn’t accept my mate and Luna isn’t a welcome ally of this pack.” I replied sternly.

“Spoken like a true mated alpha.” Tigris chuckled, earning a jab from Nora, “Ow!” He cried, rubbing his side while Nora rolled her eyes at him.

“Oh, don’t be such a baby.” Nora huffed which had Theo rolling with laughter.

“I swear, Nora, I don’t know how you put up with those two all day long.” Thea teased, the sadness slowly leaving her eyes.

“They have their moments….all night long.” Nora winked and Thea gagged. Theo and Tigris looked both horrified and proud at the same time.

Just then, the door to my office rattled open and Logan came running in. He was giggling like he was playing a game. Shay came scurrying in after him and I realized that Logan was playing a game. I snatched him up,

“What are you doing?” I scolded him.

“Playing tag!” Logan grinned. I looked towards Shay who was breathless,

“I was not playing tag, Logan.” Shay frowned.

“I want Tia!” Logan cried out, reaching towards Thea and kicking his legs.

Thea’s face went pale like it always did when Logan wanted her. She was uncomfortable by his affection, but I knew it was only because she was afraid of failing him. So, like the loving mate that I am, I tossed my son into her arms and forced her to carry him. She gasped and grabbed a hold of Logan so he didn’t fall.

“They look like you, Tia.” Logan said, pointing towards her siblings.

“That’s because they’re my siblings, Logan.” Thea smiled, shifting Logan to her hip so she could better hold him, “That’s Timbre, Talia, Alphas Tigris, Theo, and their mate, Nora.” Thea introduced the group of black and red headed siblings.

“And who must this be?” Nora smiled at my son and pushed through to the front of the group,

“I’m Logan.” Logan giggled.

“He’s my son.” I added. Logan glanced towards Taila and started squirming in Thea’s arms,

“Tia, I want down!” He shouted.

Thea looked alarmed and she sat Logan down. He ran over to Talia and smiled at her.

“You’re pretty.” Logan said and Talia giggled,

“So are you.” Talia said, hugging Logan tightly.

“Oh, no you don’t.” Tigris nearly growled, snatching Talia up and away from Logan, “I still have eleven years before I have to deal with this nonsense.”

“Come here, Logan.” I laughed, holding out my hand for my son. He grabbed it but was still looking at Talia like she was a new toy.

“What’s that about?” Thea asked, glancing between the two kids, “They can’t be mates, can they?”

“They aren’t related by blood.” I shrugged and her eyes widened in shock,

“Oh boy.” She mumbled and I couldn’t help but laugh at her.

“How about some lunch?” I offered, motioning towards the door.

“That would be great, I’m starving!” Theo grinned, earning a slap on the arm from Nora,

“That’s rude, Theo.” She frowned.

“What? We left before breakfast.” Theo mumbled and I laughed at the pair of them,

“No, it’s fine. Come on.” I picked up Logan in one arm and held Thea’s hand with the other. I led them all towards the kitchen.

After an hour, Thea got a phone call from, I could only assume, the Archers and hurried out of the kitchen. I was left alone with her siblings and Logan. I had to admit, the conversation flowed easily between all of us without any awkwardness. I kept eyeing Logan and his infatuation with Taila, and I couldn’t help but smile. They were just children now, but one day, I was sure they would end up mates.

“She seems okay.” Theo said after Thea left, looking towards me.

“It’s an adjustment, that’s for sure.” I nodded, “For both of us.” I added, thinking about this morning.

“Especially with your son.” Tigris nodded towards Logan who was distracted by Talia in the seat next to him.

“Yes, she’s hesitant with him. She’s afraid she’ll let him down. He’s obsessed with her already, though.” I smirked, ruffling Logan’s hair. He didn’t even notice me.

“She’ll come around eventually, I’m sure of it. The fact that she’s even here says a lot.” Tigris said,

“Quick, stop talking about me!” Thea teased as she entered the room again, slipping her phone back in her pocket. I stood up and was quickly at her side.

“Everything okay?” I asked, taking her hand.

“It’s fine, but I do have to leave.” She said and my heart dropped to my feet.

“Already?” I tried not to sound upset.

“You said you were going to take some time off, Thea.” Tigris said and I was glad that I wasn’t the one who had to say it.

“I still am, relax everyone,” Thea rolled her eyes and laughed, “I just need to go see Sal.”

“Who’s Sal?” I resisted the urge to growl. I mustn’t of done a very good job based on the look Thea gave me.

“The Alpha of the Warrior pack. The one that trained me and my father before me.” Thea explained and I settled.

“Oh.” I mumbled, “Why do you need to go see him?” I asked.

“He’s asked for my help. He’s ready to step down and he’s summoning all of his best graduates to help survey his tributes.” Thea said, “It shouldn’t take long.”

“At the risk of sounding like I’m whining, do you have to go?” I asked and Thea laughed.

“I owe Sal a lot, so, yes, I have to go. But, like I said, it shouldn’t be more than a few days.” Thea promised.

“We’ll say our goodbyes so you two can talk.” Tigris said, standing from the table.

“You don’t have to go.” I said, but Tigris shook his head,

“We have to be getting back, anyway.” He said.

Theo helped Nora from her seat while Tigris gathered up the kids. He had to practically pry Logan off of Talia, and he ran away pouting about her leaving.

“Let us know if you need anything, sis.” Theo said, hugging Thea tightly. Tigris gave her a kiss on the cheek,

“And don’t let Tate rattle your feathers. We’ll talk to him after he has a chance to calm down.” He said quietly for only Thea to hear. I looked away so it didn’t seem like I was eavesdropping.

“Bye you two, I’ll see you soon.” Thea knelt down to give Timbre and Talia a big group hug, kissing them both on the cheek.

“Love you!” Talia squealed.

“Good luck, Alpha Xaiver.” Tigris said, slapping me on the back.

“You’re gonna need it.” Theo joined in on the teasing.

Thea shouted at both of them and chased them out of the room. I laughed as I watched her playful side coming out.

“I hate those idiots.” Thea said when she came stomping back into the kitchen.

“No you don’t.” I said and she grumbled at me,

“No, I don’t.” She agreed, frowning.

“When do you need to leave?” I asked, stepping up to my mate and taking her in my arms.

“Tomorrow morning.” She sighed, her eyes fluttering shut as I ran my fingers up and down her bare skin.

“I’ll miss you.” I confessed, ducking my head to breathe in her scent.

“I won’t be long.” She whispered.

“I miss you the second you’re out of my sight.” I said, my nose grazing against her neck.

“That doesn’t seem healthy.” She tried to joke, but her trembling gave her away.

I softly brushed my lips against her jawline before pulling away to look into her swirling hazel eyes.

“You don’t mean that.” I said and she smirked, the haze retreating from her eyes,

“Maybe I do.” She teased.

“So, you won’t miss me then?” I cocked an eyebrow. She just shrugged, pressing her lips together in a thin line.

Oh, she was in for it now.