30

Koa's Pov

Tino of course fell asleep as soon as he had his fill, I was up now getting dressed. We were having family dinner and tonight would be the night we confront Khelani about her mate. I was nervous, to say the least.

We had no idea how she would react, we were hoping for the best. We would also tell her that Cristoff is allowed onto the territory if he so chooses to come. And is allowed to stay in our home. A fact I have yet to tell Tino. And I was...but then we got distracted.

But now there was no denying what was happening and we couldn't hide from it. Though I knew Tino would.

I knew the pressure of alpha was something that bothered him, and caused him immense stress. Not to mention his father and his constant critiquing, which angered me to my core. There were times in these past meetings when Tino was not present he would make comments. Comments about pushing his assigning back even further.

Valentino didn't deserve that. But if he so choose to give up his alpha title after we married, I would take control of both packs. The lycans and the werewolves. I would do that for him.

Not only that but if Tino decided he just wanted to be a Luna, which I could see him doing perfectly, then I would support him. Whatever decision he made I would support it.

I wanted to tell Tino about everything before we went downstairs, I wouldn't want him blindsided. I also have yet to tell him about the text that I got from Alcander. But I had to tell him. Even though I hate seeing Tino upset.

If I could keep him in a blissed-out state forever I would. But that isn't life. There will always be something. But I would do everything in my power to keep it from affecting him.

Tino rolled and grumbled. His hand searched the bed and I assume for me.

"Baby?" He mumbled, his eyes still closed. Allister purred at the name, he rarely ever called me anything other than my name. "Babe?" He called again and it sounded more awake this time. Then moments later he was sitting up looking around the room frantically and his eyes landed on me, now leaning against the dresser with my arms crossed.

"Oh, you're here." He let out a deep breath and fell back into the bed. "Come here, please." He had his arms wide open for me and I went immediately. He had no idea that whenever he said please that I would fall to my knees in front of him.

I laid myself softly on top of him and he wrapped his arms around me and I put my face in his neck.

"Why are you dressed?" His voice mumbled against my shoulder.

"We are going to a family dinner, and there are some things I should tell you before we go." I moved off of him and sat at the edge of the bed. He looked at me confused, as he reached into the bedroom side table and put on his glasses. One of the many things he brought here to make himself more. Which warmed my heart and filled Allister with pride every time.

"So, tonight we will be confronting Khelani about Cristoff, and then my parents offered to let Cristoff stay with us if he so chooses."

Valentino nodded and I moved my hand to cup his face and rub my thumb across it.

"And I should also tell you that I got a text from Alcander, saying he would see me soon. I don't quite know what that means and I didn't respond. But I just thought you should know." I stayed silent as I awaited a response but he just sighed.

"When did my father make this decision?"

"Today during the meeting." I cleared my throat before asking the next question, making sure I worded it just right to not cause any unwarranted feelings in him. "I know you don't enjoy coming to these meetings, perhaps I could be the voice for the both of us."

I started bouncing my leg as I waited for a response, he just stared at me. His doe eyes filled with thoughts I couldn't figure out.

"You'd do that?" He raised an eyebrow and rested his hand on my arm. Inwardly thanking the moon goddess for this newfound freedom we have to touch on another.

"I'd do anything for you," I told him truthfully because I would. I would do anything for him.

"Well, that means I get to sleep in the mornings." He yawned and stretched out in the bed even more. A smile covered my face as he looked around lazily. He looked so adorable like this. But also Valentino had a face that you could just stare at it for hours. Days. Weeks. Years even.

Tino's brown eyes stared at me and his thinking face came out. It was when his eyebrows furrowed together and his lips were slightly parted open.

"What are you thinking so hard about?" I ran my finger down his cheek again and he leaned into it.

"Nothing, just crazy thoughts." He shrugged and sat up. "I should get dressed." He slid from the bed and picked up his clothes from earlier and threw them on.

"There is something else..." My voice trailed, knowing that what I was about to say would upset him and ruin the blissful moment we were in. "Alcander sent a text to me, right before we left for dinner." I pulled out my phone and let him read the message.

Tino grabbed it hesitantly and read over it. I searched his face, waiting for any indication of anything. He just handed it back and finished getting ready. Which worried me and Allister even more.

"I don't plan on seeing him so I don't know why he would say that." I found myself scrambling for words to try and ease any thoughts or worries Tino may have that he isn't expressing to me.

Tino let out a soft chuckle as he finished redressing himself. He walked over and stood between my spread legs and set his hand on my shoulder as he leaned down and set a kiss on my cheek.

"I know, I trust you."

Allister whined and went belly up in submission. The urge to throw Tino onto the bed and mark him and mate him was all too strong.

"We should go, I can smell your mom's cooking." He walked out the door leaving me there in shock and awe.

'Mark him.' Allister growled out, and I just rolled my eyes at him.

'Allister, calm down.'

'He wants us to mark him, and perhaps if we do Zay will come back.' I could sense the desperation Allister had to have his mate back and I wish there was a way for me to help. Perhaps marking him would? But it felt too soon. Too sudden.

Would Tino want that? Was Tino ready to be mated to me for life? To start a family with me? We haven't spoken much about the future yet...maybe we should.

But now was not the time to dwell on such things. Tonight was about my sister and her mate. And to find out who this new leader of the rogues was. I wanted all of this over with, and if I needed to hunker down and spend all my time on ending this then I would.

Tino and I deserve to have a life free of drama and focus on us.

*****

I walked into the dining room and Tino was chatting away with Mama, and Vincent was at the table with Kona right next to him. Kendall had invited Tay to dinner and she was there with a smile on her face. Tay was a beautiful girl, she was dark skin and her hair was normally out in its curly state. She was a lot more feminine looking than Kendall, who presented more on the masculine side. Something I've noticed that has changed since being back.

Then I noticed Khelani sitting and watching us with a look of jealousy. She didn't know that we knew, but now that I did my heart ached for her. She deserved to be in love just like the rest of us. No matter who it may be.

My father was also sitting at the table and his eyes were on me as I sat down to join them. As I sat my father leaned forward with a slight blush on his face before he spoke.

"Son, I am happy you and Tino are doing so well...but uh--uh, I think it would be best for me and your mom if you both looked at new places to live?" I had never heard my father stutter a day in his life, it was quite amusing to see. I knew what he meant, and I knew Tino wasn't the quietest. Which I loved.

Tino caught a whiff of the conversation and he went completely still as he listened from the kitchen. I just sat there with my arms crossed and a smirk playing on my face as he continued. Vin and Kona also stopped their conversation and started to listen in with amusement on their faces as well.

"You know we love you, and having your sisters here. And we of course are not ignorant of what mates do when they are...spending time together. Hell, me and you mother--"

"Channing." My mama gritted through her teeth but he ignored her.

"All I'm saying is, perhaps it would be best if you two had your place. To do as you please. I've also told Kona and Kendall the same thing, and they are also looking at moving into the pack house. Also, you know--we-- we aren't trying to kick you out--"

"No, not at all. You know we love you guys." Mama walked over and rested her hands on my father's shoulders. But Tino seemed to be stuck in place, his eyes wide and panic on his face.

Vincent was enjoying watching his brother's demise as a goofy smile sat on his face as he looked over at him.

"I understand, we will look for a room in the pack house. It is not a problem." I spoke and motioned for Tino to come over and sit beside me. He hesitantly began walking toward me and sat in the chair next to me.

"And don't feel shame in being vocal sweetie, when I was your age I was vocal too." My sweet, sweet mother.

She tried her best to be reassuring but I think she made things worse for Tino. He looked ghostly pale and his eyes were fixated on the table. Vincent let out a giant belly laugh as he toppled over onto the floor clutching his stomach.

"Was? You still are." My father said with a cocky smirk and leaned back in the chair. It was my mother's turn to be embarrassed.

"Channing."

"Okay, I'm leaving," Khelani spoke as she stood getting all of our attention. I moved my hand to Tino's thigh to try and get him to relax. He truly had nothing to be embarrassed about.

"No, no honey. Sit down. We need to talk as a family." My father said sternly and Khelani rolled her eyes and sat back down.

"Talk about what?" She asked with attitude dripping from her tongue.

"Why don't we eat first?" Mama went and sat in the chair next to Dad and right by Kona, but Khelani looked unimpressed and impatient.

"I'm not hungry."

"Khelani, will you please just sit with the family for once?" Kendall chimed in trying to calm her but it didn't work.

"Why? You guys are all going to be talking to each other and completely ignore me, why would I want that?" I noticed as her eyes flickered to the empty seat next to her. I wonder if she was imagining Cristoff beside her. The dining table was long and wide and had enough space for ten people. Right now there was only one seat left.

"No, of course, we wouldn't ignore you!" Mama was exasperated.

"Oh please! The conversation you were having just five minutes ago wasn't ignoring me?"

Tino could sense my irritation started to spike and at my parent's failure to talk about the subject at hand. They loved to dance around hard topics such as this. He held my hand in his as he rubbed his thumb across my hand, but it didn't help much.

"Khelani we were--" My father started but I cut him off, no longer interested in prolonging this.

"We know about your mate, Cristoff," I said quickly and my eyes found hers. Which were wide open with surprise.

"I--I don't--what?"

"Don't lie, Khelani. I followed you." I sighed and I could see the girls let out a sigh of relief that I didn't mention them. "I saw you, and heard you."

"You fucking followed me!?"

"Khelani, language," Mama said softly.

"Yes, because you were worrying Mama and Dad. They had no idea where you were going but trusted you enough to not get into trouble." I spoke sternly, not backing down from her intense gaze.

"Oh, so you took it upon yourself to do it?"

"I'm glad I did! You could have gotten hurt!"

"He wouldn't hurt me!" She slammed her hand on the table causing Kendall to jump slightly.

"I'm not saying he would. What about the people who are now in charge? This new plan the rogues have in place? Something that you failed to mention to your alpha." He hissed out. "You could have gotten taken or got someone else hurt. Do you really want that on your conscious, Khelani?"

"So what now? Now you're going to make me stomp over there so you can capture him and kill him? You're gonna kill my mate, Koa?!" Her eyes were watering now, her face turning red from yelling and she was now standing firmly on her feet.

"No one is killing your mate!" I yelled back at her which shut her up. Her mouth was agape as she was rendered speechless. Tino was still rubbing my hand, which truly was the only thing that was keeping the frustration at bay.

"Sit down. Shut up. And listen to your father before you decide to shovel out another snarky comment."

Kona's eyes went wide as the words left my mouth. I could also see she wanted to laugh but held it in. Tino looked at me in surprise as well. He had never seen me so riled up before, and in truth, it was hard to get me to this level of anger. But Khelani was being reckless, rude, and irresponsible. Making assumptions before taking the time to listen to what we had to say.

Mama and Dad sighed as they lifted their eyes from the table and looked at Khelani. She slowly sat down and her arms crossed glaring daggers at me. I just shrugged it off knowing she would forgive me once she heard the news.

"During the meeting today we had come to the agreement that it would be best to bring Cristoff into the pack and give him solace in return for giving us information on this new leader of the rogues," Father spoke softly as Khelani started to cry. Her eyes scanned all of us like she was trying to find a lie.

"Seriously?" She croaked out. Father nodded slowly as Mama put her hand on his shoulder and rubbed it.

"Koa is the main one that spoke on your behalf. Show your gratitude to him. Then after dinner, he has offered to go with you and bring Cristoff here if he so chooses."

Her eyes flicked toward me and her face fell. She quickly got up from her chair and ran to me. Tino let go of my hand as she hopped into my lap wrapping her arms around my neck. And I wrapped my arms around her.

"Thank you! Thank you."

"No need. Let's eat then go get your mate."