Alder, Alanea - Fated to Be Family [Kindred of Arkadia 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Alanea Alder

normally nocturnal lions were having problems staying awake this early. Rian reached for the coffee pot and poured himself another cup.
    “You people really wake up this early normally?” Damian asked, yawning.
    Kate smiled. “Usually, we like to get a jump on the day.” Kate handed Damian a chocolate chocolate chip muffin, his favorite. His eyes lit up and he smiled. He and Kate shared a chocolate addiction and commiserated with each other often.
    “We usually like to get a jump on the night and the men it has to offer,” Rian replied, winking at Kate.
    She smiled. “Thank you for doing this. Bran will have interviews for most of the day. He has been Alpha long enough that he should be able to sniff out anyone who is lying.” Kate began working on her second chocolate muffin.
    “Caleb, you should sit in on the interviews, too. You don’t have any preconceived ideas about anyone, so you may pick up on things that Bran may miss or discount,” Rian said offhandedly, going through the muffin basket, not caring that he was manhandling the entire basket in his search for a lemon muffin. He grabbed one triumphantly and looked up and saw everyone staring at him.
    “What? Just because I don’t participate in Pride politics doesn’t mean I don’t know how it works,” Rian said, pouting.
    “You surprise me with how awesome you are almost daily, RiRi,” Kate said, blowing him air kisses.
    “You are forgiven then. Especially if you give me details from the other night. I heard it was so good you passed out. I swear if you weren’t one of my best friends I would totally hate you,” he said getting comfortable in the dining room seat before staring at Kate for his story. He reminded her of a child waiting for a bedtime story.
    “Well…” Kate began.
    “Kate!” Bran and Caleb said, both turning red.
    Rapidly, Rian began firing off questions.
    “Did you…” Rian started. Kate nodded. “Did they…” he asked and she nodded again. “No issues with…” he asked. She shook her head. “Bigger than…” He giggled. She nodded and giggled. “Any supplies required?” he asked. She nodded. “Did you like…” he asked, his eyes wide. She emphatically nodded. He acted as though he was dabbing a tear from his eye with the napkin. “Welcome to the club, my sister,” he said, patting her hand. He looked up, serious, before they both dissolved into giggles.
    Damian was smiling as he ate his muffin.
    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