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

they both started laughing again.
    “Well, I guess they’re done with breakfast,” Caleb said, elbowing Bran in the ribs, winking. Immediately the laughter stopped and two heads popped up from under the table.
    “Hey, we’re still hungry!” Kate said. On her knees, she extended both hands over her muffin, guarding it.
    Rian swiped his then sat back down, out of sight, to scarf it down.
    “Aren’t you glad we only have the twins to raise?” Bran said, smiling.
    Caleb chuckled and then resumed feeding the boys.
    “For now. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kate ends up pregnant with a litter,” Rian said from the floor.
    Kate, who had just taken a huge bit of the chocolate muffin, began to choke. Damian jumped up and handed her a cup of coffee. She cleared her airway, looked up, and saw Bran and Caleb were pale and looking at each other. Kate cleared her throat.
    “Ri I’m afraid that’s impossible. I don’t think I can have children,” she said quietly, fingering her new necklace.
    “Kate, what are you talking about?” Bran asked.
    “We’ve been having unprotected sex for over a year and nothing. Fate mates us to a man with two sons. Do the math. I think it’s her way of compensating for me.” She picked at her muffin.
    “You’re wrong,” Bran said.
    “You just don’t want me to be right,” Kate said.
    Caleb cleared his throat. “Let’s cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, let’s focus on this perimeter problem. What did Ma mean last night about killing the one responsible? I was so angry I think I was only hearing every other word.” Caleb desperately wanted to change the subject.
    “The person who invited the hyenas into town would have had to physically walk them over the border, knowing that they would cause harm.” Bran explained.  
    “It wouldn’t work if a townsperson were kidnapped or forced to walk alongside someone. The townsperson would be able to cross and the perimeter would block the aggressor. But, if a townsperson willingly agreed to let someone in, knowing they would cause harm, the perimeter would be breached. As long as that person lives, the perimeter would be down for not only the small group that had walked through but also their entire clan. We have to be absolutely sure because once this person is found it’s a death sentence to secure our borders again.”
    The joy and laughter of the morning seemed to evaporate.
    “Rian is right. I’ll sit in on the interviews with you,” Caleb said, removing the boys’ bibs.
    Bran nodded.
    “I’ve lost my appetite. We might as well get started.” Bran stood.
    Rian and Damian walked around the table to pick up the boys. Bran and Caleb left the dining room, heading to the office leaving Kate with Damian, Rian, and the boys.
    “We have a big day planned, boys. First, a bath to get breakfast cleaned off you. Then a nap. Then we will work on our letters and then I have a wonderful educational video for you,” Rian said, rubbing noses with Lucas.
    “Educational videos? Letters? Rian, they are barely eight months old,” Kate said.
    “You can never start too early,” Rian said.
    Kate walked over and kissed each boy on the head. “Don’t tell Bran, but I’m shifting and sniffing around the border to see if I can find where they crossed. My wolf needs to get out. She wants to eliminate any threat to our young.”
    “Katie, I don’t know,” Damian hedged.
    “I’ll be back before lunch, promise,” she said. “Guard them with your lives.” She nuzzled Landon.
    “We will,” Rian said, firmly.
    “Be back.” She walked out of the dining room.

    * * * *

    Kate waited until she was out of sight of the house before stripping down. She folded her clothes and left them hidden in a bundle near her favorite tree before shifting. It was the tree Bran had claimed her under. In her wolf form, her fears for the boys came roaring to the surface. Her wolf was not happy. Her young were being threatened. That threat needed to