Goddess help her, she was thankful she’d insisted Suzzy not let them into the apartment that day. Macky might’ve already tried to seduce her.
“She’s my mate,” he admitted with a casual shrug, though the grin refused to leave his face. Then, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, he handed Bella her phone.
First Dani, now Suzzy. Those poor women had no idea what they were walking into.
“Where are you going?” Macky asked, noticing her glance at the triplets’ oversized coats.
“I don’t have proper winter clothing for the kids,” she replied, gesturing to the ill-fitting adult jackets they wore. “I figured I’d check the pack laundry. Maybe there’s something in the lost and found.”
Macky shook his head. “Nope, that won’t do.” He motioned for her to follow him. “The Alpha has been preparing for your arrival for weeks now. The pups are already enrolled in school—no start date yet, but their rooms are set up. He’s got it all sorted. I wasn’t around for all of it, but my Luna was with you the whole time. I’d bet he’s even had clothes prepared for them—and you.”
“What?” Bella stopped in her tracks. “I don’t want to go up there.”
Macky chuckled. “Oh yes, you do. And I know Tyler does, too,” he teased, smirking over his shoulder.
Bella groaned internally. Tyler was already wagging her tail and prancing in her mind, eager to step into their mate’s space. Macky called to the children, who ran up eagerly to catch up with him.
“Macky,” Bella warned, her voice low.
“What?” he said, feigning innocence. “You think you can resist my charm?” He laughed softly, pressing the elevator button. “I dare you to try.”
Bella rolled her eyes but didn’t respond. Instead, her nerves started building. “Where is he?” she asked, her voice betraying her unease. She had finally decided to accept Luke, but this would be her first time facing him since then. Goddess knows Tyler was beside herself with excitement. Her wolf was practically bouncing, ready for them to mark and mate, which would open their mind-link to Luke permanently.
“Haven’t seen him this morning,” Macky replied, leaning casually against the elevator door. “I crashed after Maddis went running off to find Tyler. And you, my dear, are an emotional hurricane. You exhaust me to no end.”
Bella sighed, bracing herself as the elevator doors slid open.
“Sorry about that,” Bella muttered as they stepped into the elevator.
Macky shrugged. “Comes with the job.”
They rode the elevator up to the fifth floor in silence. When the doors slid open, Bella found Luna Darla and Alpha Tomas waiting just a few steps away, clearly expecting them. Their eyes immediately shifted to the triplets as they stepped onto the floor.
Bella watched as Alpha Tomas’s eyes glazed over briefly, no doubt communicating through the mind-link. When he refocused, his gaze remained fixed on the children.
Could she introduce the triplets to Luke’s parents before Luke himself? She had no idea what the proper protocol was in a situation like this, but Alpha Tomas and Luna Darla didn’t seem to care. Both approached without hesitation.
To Bella’s surprise, Luna Darla sank to her knees and introduced herself and Tomas to the triplets, her warm smile putting the children at ease. The act made it clear she wasn’t concerned about what Luke might think—her priority was meeting her grandchildren. The triplets looked to Bella for confirmation, and she nodded her approval.
Then, from the corner of her eye, Bella saw him. Luke stepped out of the Alpha Suite, running a hand through his blonde hair as if trying to smooth it into place. He wore blue jeans and a snug white T-shirt that highlighted his muscular chest and the defined outline of his abs—an eight-pack now, where there had once been a six-pack. He was barefoot, with a slight stubble on his chin, looking as though he’d just rolled out of bed and grabbed whatever clothes were nearest.
When their eyes met, a smile spread across his face, and Bella’s heart skipped a beat. He’d caught her looking him over from head to toe. Damn it, stupid Mate Bond.
Our Mate is hot, Tyler chimed in, chuckling in her head.
Bella shook her head, trying to will away the blush creeping up her cheeks. It was utterly humiliating to be caught ogling him.
Luke walked over, his smile still in place, and Bella noticed the triplets staring at him in awe. When he smiled at them, she felt her knees weaken. How had she forgotten the effect his smile could have on her? Years of suppressing her feelings for him had dulled those memories, but now, thanks to the Mate Bond, they were flooding back in full force.
Standing this close to him, after deciding to accept him, was making it hard to think clearly. She needed answers before letting herself get swept up by him again.
Mark and Mate, then get answers, Tyler teased, clearly enjoying herself.
No, Tyler. I need answers first. I know we want him, but there’s too much to sort through. Please, just wait.
Tyler huffed. Fine.
Bella refocused on her surroundings, realizing Luke was staring at her intently. He must have asked her something while she was distracted, but she’d been so immersed in her conversation with Tyler that she hadn’t heard him.
“Sorry,” she said sheepishly. “Did you ask something?”
“What brings you up here?” Luke asked, his tone curious.
Bella glanced at the children, who were still staring at him with wide eyes. “Um, well, I wasn’t planning to come up here, but Macky kind of dragged me along,” she admitted.
Luke’s smile widened, and Bella felt a fresh wave of nerves hit her. This was going to be a long day.
“Mum says you’re our father,” Minka said quietly, her small voice cutting through the room. She tugged at Luke’s jeans, trying to get his attention.
Bella bit her lip as his eyes shifted to the little girl standing in front of him. Minka gazed up at him, her expression filled with hope. Even Bella could see the longing in her daughter’s eyes.
She knew the triplets would feel an instant connection to him, just as they had with her father. With Luke being the Alpha, the bond would likely be even stronger.
