Peyton asked.
“Fifteen years. The entire pride moved fifteen years ago. Bethy and Asling were about six at the time.
Those girls worshipped their brothers. They must have been heartbroken all this time.” Emmett’s eyes
hardened.
“Rian was devastated when they left. He was fifteen when Asling was born. He was both mother and
father to her before he left for college. Damian was the same with Bethy. A year later Dylan was born. It
was nothing to see Rian walking around town, hanging out with a baby on his hip.” Duncan laughed.
“I learned how to change diapers from helping to watch Bethy and Asling. I can’t wait to see Gavin’s
reaction to them moving back to town.” Emmett smiled at the memory.
“All of us helped to raise those kids, But Gavin was closest in age to them. Asling, Bethy, Cecelia and
Gina haunted his every step.” Duncan laughed.
“He’s just so easy to tease.” Cecelia admitted.
“When they left, all of us missed them so much. I once heard Ma on the phone asking them to come
back.” Duncan shook his head.
“They’re home now. Soon we’ll have baby Dylan back too.” Emmett grinned.
“He’s not a baby anymore, he’s what…?” Duncan counted on his fingers and looked up at the ceiling.
“Twenty? That can’t be right. Baby Dylan is almost old enough to drink legally?” Duncan looked a little
spooked.
“Man, we’re getting old.” Emmett sighed. Rhys, David and Daniel laughed out loud.
“We have you beat.” Daniel cackled. Emmett brightened.
“That’s right! I don’t feel so bad now. I’m just a young man in my prime.” He puffed out his chest.
“Come on, guys. One more round and then we’re heading home,” Daniel said, waving a controller.
“Yes!” Peyton jumped up and ran over to his chair and picked up the controller.
David looked at Daniel.
“I think we’ve created a monster.” Daniel nodded. David jerked his head over to the Xbox and raised an
eyebrow. Daniel nodded. Rhys felt his heart melt. He knew what they were about to do and he loved them
more for it.
“Hey Peyton, is it okay if we leave this here with you?” David asked. Peyton looked at David as if he
had lost his mind.
“Don’t you need it?” Peyton asked. Daniel shook his head.
“Nah, we have another one at home. You keep this one and practice. We can log in from the coven
house and we can play together. We could really use you on our team,” Daniel explained.
Peyton looked over to Moe, his huge liquid brown eyes begging. Rhys had to turn his head to hide his
grin. As if his softie of a mate would say no.
“You know, Peyton, this might actually be good for business. Looks like everyone had fun tonight.”
Moe indicated Duncan and Emmett.
“We sure did. It’s hard to find good players anymore,” Duncan said.
“That would be so cool!” Peyton put the headset on and beamed at Daniel. Rhys almost laughed when
Daniel had to clear his throat. The little vampire’s eyes had begun to get teary.
“Okay men. Time to kill shit.” David grinned at Peyton bumping shoulders with his brother.
“Let’s kill some fucking zombies!” Peyton exclaimed. David, Daniel, Emmett and Duncan’s eyes
widened and they busted out laughing.
“Y’all are a bad influence.” Rhys laughed.
“We know,” they said together.
“God help us from the twins,” Rhys said. The four men looked at each other.
“Which set?” Emmett asked.
“All of you.”
“You do know we have two more sets coming up in the ranks. Landon, Lucas, Matthew and Merrick,”
Duncan offered.
“There goes Arkadia,” Moe said, wiping down tables, a smile on his face.
“Rock on!” Emmett said.
Chapter 5
“Peyton, don’t stay up too late.” Moe yelled as he and Rhys walked up the stairs to their apartment.
“I won’t!” Peyton called back.
“He so will.” Rhys smiled. Moe nodded.
“I know, but he’s having fun with friends. It may be a first for him. I’ll just make sure I have