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

was too tall, too outspoken, and not very feminine. Your comment may have cut deeper than you realize. She has always doubted she was woman enough for me. I’ve been working this past year to make her see exactly how beautiful she is, despite not being a girly girl,” Bran explained.
    “And I probably undid any progress you have made with her.” Caleb rubbed his hands over his face. “Bran, what in the hell am I going to do? Being with you and Kate is the first real sense of home I’ve ever had. Even with the leopards, I felt like an outsider,” he said dejectedly.
    “You are going to beg. Yup, lots of begging and you’re going to give her her favorite chocolate, which old man Gilberton happens to keep in stock since he knows Kate is addicted. The damn stuff is imported from Belgium. Then we’re going to put our heads together to think of the perfect apology gift.”
    Caleb looked at his Alpha.
    “Will that work?” he asked.
    Bran nodded. “I’m pretty sure it will work. Kate has the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met. If you are truly sorry and prove to her that you are really okay with her being the boys’ mother, then she will forgive you. I’ve fucked up more than once. Trust me, that chocolate can work miracles.”
    Caleb stood up and finished his beer.
    “Mojo, as soon as you find someone to replace me, I’ll need to quit. I’m going to be focusing on my painting and my mates,” Caleb said, smiling at Bran.
    “No worries. I have someone who came in here yesterday looking for a job. Paint me something for the bar and there won’t be any hard feelings. Maybe one of those fifties-style pin-up girls you have been doodling on bar napkins.” Mojo winked.
    Bran’s eyebrows went up and Caleb blushed.
    “I didn’t think you saw those,” he admitted and Mojo gave a great booming laugh.
    “They were all over the place, pretty blonde women. Ironic, thinking back, they looked a lot like Kate,” Mojo said.
    Caleb’s eyes widened. “They did, didn’t they?” he said, smiling.
    “Fate knows what she’s doing, kiddo. Don’t fuck up again,” Mojo said.
    Bran and Caleb turned to leave the bar. Bran grabbed Caleb’s arm.
    “You have got to paint Kate as a fifties pin-up girl for my office,” he said, a dreamy look on his face.
    “Sure, if you spot me the money to get that imported chocolate and my apology gift.” Caleb laughed.
    “Deal! I can’t wait to get my painting,” Bran said, rubbing his hands together.

    * * * *

    “Okay, Uncle Rian is going to introduce you to the best things in life, boys. Candy and coffee. Can you say coffee?” Rian said, bouncing Landon.
    “Rian, should they have sugar and caffeine?” Damian asked, worried.
    “If it’s tiny amounts, yes, they’ll be fine. Besides it’s fun to watch them get excited and it makes me the best uncle ever,” Rian said as they walked into Bobbles and Things, the local candy and toy store.
    “What do you think, Damian, a little cotton candy? It should dissolve so they won’t choke and they can have just a little bit.” Rian eyed the blue, fluffy candy.
    “That should be okay, as long as it’s a tiny bit,” Damian said, bouncing Lucas.
    “They probably had more sugar eating some of the cereals they have nowadays, relax Damian.” Rian smiled down at Landon.
    “So the fags are back,” a cranky voice said from behind the counter.
    Rian rolled his eyes. “Hello and a good afternoon to you too, Mr. Gilberton. It’s a fine day today, isn’t it?” Rian said sweetly. The old man harrumphed and went back to his books.
    “Can we get these for them?” Damian asked, holding up a pair of stuffed toy lions. Rian hurried over and gushed over the small toys. The boys squealed and tried to take the toys from them.
    “I think they want them,” Damian said, smiling.
    “Then they get them,” Rian said simply.
    They were on the way to the counter when they saw Caleb and Bran walk in, holding the distinct burgundy bag from their