was right to keep Sando away from you,” Melloni spat out. “You and that beta are the problem. You’re nothing but a bad influence on him, distracting him, luring him away from a promising career. You can’t even recognize the importance of our research, and you’re supposed to be a doctor.”
Maz tsked. “Don’t lower yourself to direct insults, Professor. It’s unbecoming. You were doing so well with the veiled barbs so far.” He leaned forward, his eyes drilling into Melloni’s. “And for the record, the last thing I want is to lure Sando away from his career. He’s smart and deserves every opportunity for career advancement…but he also deserves happiness, love. Mates. A family. And if you can’t see that, if you don’t want him to have both, then you are the problem. And it’s a problem I intend to fix. Sando loves you, Professor, and he’s fiercely loyal to you, which makes me believe that you’re not the mean, controlling father you’re showing me to be. Maybe you were different, and you changed. Maybe being imprisoned did something to you, and I would understand. I don’t know what’s going on, but I can promise you I’ll dig until I find out the truth. I don’t want to take Sando away from you, but I will if I have to, to protect him, and believe me when I say that’s not a fight you will win.”
He rose from his seat. “Take better care of Sando or lose him for good. The choice is yours. I can see myself out.”
3
They’d found their favorite spot by the pool again, and Sando relaxed for the first time in weeks. “What sandwich did you make me? I’m ravenous.”
Lucan studied him for a moment. “Club turkey, your favorite. With extra cheese and spicy mayo.”
He handed Sando the little brown bag, and Sando immediately dug in. “I can’t ever get them to taste as good as yours,” he said with his mouth full.
“I’d be happy to make one for you every day, kitten. Just say the word.”
Lucan smiled, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes. “What’s happening in the pack?” Sando asked, desperate to change the subject.
Lucan quirked an eyebrow, clearly seeing through him, but he obliged anyway. “Have you seen Sivney’s baby? She’s the cutest little thing, so tiny and precious. He gave birth with only Naran and Lev present. Both Maz and Enar were tied up in the clinic.”
Sando widened his eyes. “That must’ve been scary. Are they…together?”
“Those three? Yes. Vieno asked them during breakfast a few days ago, and Sivney said they were.”
“Isn’t that weird? I mean, two alphas?”
Lucan hesitated. “You know how Enar looks like an alpha but he’s not? I think Lev may be something similar, but I’m not entirely sure.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“Not that it matters. If they love each other, that’s enough.”
Sando frowned. “But you need an alpha-beta-omega combination to shift. That’s what we determined.”
“Well, either you’re wrong and it turns out they can shift, or you’re right and they can’t. Would that be a reason not to be together?”
Put that way, he had a point, though Sando had to admit shifting seemed incredibly cool. As a wolf, he’d be the same as everyone else, as the other omegas at least. He wouldn’t be the awkward, nerdy guy. “I’m happy for them. I like Sivney, even though he scares me a little. I don’t know Naran, since I’ve only met him once or twice, and Lev is nice.”
Lucan’s shoulders, which had been tight for some reason, relaxed. “Naran had a hard time after he was liberated from captivity, but I think he’s changing.”
Sando had finished his sandwich, but he was still hungry. He glanced at the bag that had to contain Maz’s lunch. It didn’t look like the alpha would be joining him, so would it be rude if he asked if he could eat his lunch too?
“Still hungry?” Lucan asked with that same barely there smile, his forehead all tight and wrinkled. What was wrong with him? He seemed subdued. Almost sad.
Sando nodded.
“You can have Maz’s sandwich. It’s Vieno’s egg salad on it. I can make Maz a new one if he wants.”
“Thank you.” Sando looked a bit sheepish as he grabbed the brown bag and eagerly pulled out the sandwich. Vieno’s egg salad was famous. He took a big bite. Yummy.
“Are you sad?” he finally asked. Lucan remained silent, his posture still a bit stiff, his forehead creased.
“Sorry, I’m a little distracted. Bray’s on a mission, and I’m worried.”
“A