Filed To Story: Their Bullied and Broken Mate by Teri Petry
Being married to two hard-headed Alphas had its challenges. Especially with me also being stubborn. No matter what, though, we always make sure we are all in sync with each other before we go to sleep. We never go to sleep mad at each other, and if we have any disagreement we solve it right then. Letting things fester isn’t healthy for normal relationships, let alone one like ours. Loki had linked me to ask me to come check out the new cell house. Everything was finally finished, and the twins were super proud of their design. I grabbed my jacket and went out the door.
I passed some of our newest pack members, and greeted them happily. I noticed a gentleman in the distance watching me. He came from Dark Star, and looked like he hated the world. He gave me the heebie jeebies, so I tried my best to keep my distance from him. “Luna?” I heard Rico call for me from behind me. I turned to face him and smiled as he approached. “Rico! Haven’t we gone over this? It’s just Mel. You are family. Even in public.” I laughed.
“Yea, sorry. Erm..I have a dilemma, and you are the queen of dilemmas, respectfully. Do you have a moment to talk?” I nodded my head, and linked Loki to tell him I would be a bit longer because Rico needed me for something important. “Let’s sit,” I said and pointed to the stone wall by the fountain. We both sat, and Rico looked as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. “You going to tell me what’s going on?” I asked. He pulled his jacket tighter around him and said, “I found my mate, but they aren’t sure what they want to do. I would be their second chance mate. I don’t mind that part, but I am conflicted too. I was very close to their first mate.” My mind started to race, trying to figure out who it could be, and then it clicked.
“Grace?” I asked. His eyes clinched shut and he nodded his head. “What do I do Mel? I care about her a lot, I always have, but how do I go from being like a sister to my life partner? She kissed me when we found out, but now we are both confused and probably over thinking it.” he confessed. I thought about it for a minute and then replied, “Here’s what we are going to do. After I finish up with my husbands and see their prize building of a cell house, I want you to meet Grace and I at the coffee bistro. I’ll do my best to help you both figure this out.” He flashed that toothy smile of his, and thanked me. I gave him a hug, and he went his way and I headed to the cell house.
I walked at a faster pace because I was starting to get cold, and when I saw the building they had just finished, I froze. It was massive. “How many people do you plan on locking up in this monstrosity?” I asked Liam as I wrapped my arms around him. He scoffed and made a point to inform me that there were more than just cells in there. “There are also state-of-the art interview rooms, small efficiency apartments for guards who haven’t found their mates, and a whole basement for making people talk with special toys.” he said proudly. I rolled my eyes and simply replied “You silly boys with your special talking toys.” He asked if I wanted a tour and I politely declined.
Loki came up to us and looked at me and asked what Rico needed. It wasn’t my place to say anything, so I didn’t tell them. I just told him that Rico was having a girl issue. Which wasn’t a lie. Loki started to laugh because he knew I was dying to spill the beans, and said, “Mel, babe, we already know about his situation with Grace. Good job keeping his secret though.” I scowled at him and he blew me a kiss. They both told me they loved me and went back to work.
I blew them kisses and turned around to go towards the coffee bistro. No sooner as I did, I ran straight into Mr. Grumpy Face.
Accepting Happiness
*MELIAN POV*
After bumping into Mr. Grumpy Face, I balled my hands into fists and squeezed my eyes shut. I released my breath and gave him a fake smile. “Oh, excuse me. I didn’t see you behind me. I apologize for running into you,” I said to him. His body stiffened and he replied, “It’s perfectly fine, Luna. I was actually coming to speak to the Alphas, but I need to speak to you as well. Do you have time to speak to me?” I looked at him curiously and nodded my head.
“Sure, what can I do for you, Mr…..?” I asked and he quickly responded with his name, “My apologies. It’s Christopher Reynolds. I arrived not long ago from Dark Star pack. I have kept my distance because of the reputation my former pack has brought upon us that hail from there. I know I have been standoffish, but I promise you that most of us who relocated here, to Blood Moon, are nothing like Callum and his family. I was the librarian in Dark Star, and books are my life. I am also a historian, and I specialize in shifter history. The library here is very minimalist, and I wanted to speak with you about the possibility of changing that. I have many old books that I have collected over the years, and I would love to contribute by adding them to the library here.”
I was taken back by his offer, and I agreed with him that our library was less than what it could be. It was massive, and we did have some research materials, but the casual reading overtook all the good stuff. In my opinion, history and research information was far more interesting than the romance novels and autobiographies. “Mr. Reynolds, I apologize if I came off as unapproachable, or if we have made you feel uncomfortable here. That was never our intention of making anyone feel unwelcomed, and if there are pack members who are making you feel this way, please let us know immediately. We will not tolerate it. I promise you. As far as the offer for the books, we would appreciate any donations you feel compelled to share. Just let us know when you would like them to be picked up.” I said.
He nodded his head and turned to walk away when something dawned on me. “Mr. Reynolds? Wait. How would you feel about becoming the new head librarian and historian for Blood Moon? Our current librarian is ready to retire, and we need a good replacement. You will have free reign to arrange, decorate and add anything you wish.” I called out to him. He stopped and looked back at me and replied, “I would be honored, Luna. I will come speak with you tomorrow, if that is OK?” I told him I looked forward to it, and made a mental note to look into who was giving our newest members a hard time.
I finally arrived at Coffee & Thyme, the bistro I was meeting Rico and Grace at, and noticed they hadn’t arrived yet. I was greeted by Hazel, the owner’s daughter and she led me to my normal table. I like to come here for small meetings with my mates, my brother or sometimes even my therapy sessions are there. I loved the atmosphere, and the coziness of it. It helped that Hazel and her Mom Astrid made the best creamy apple cider and homemade pickles.
I always ordered extra pickles for my sandwiches because they were so good. Today, though, I ordered a flatbread veggie pizza for the three of us. Instead of pizza sauce, Astrid uses a spread made of cream cheese, olive oil, avocado, basil, thyme, oregano and garlic with just a small squeeze of lemon. She then tops it with onions, peppers, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, olives, and mushrooms. Once it’s baked, she sprinkles the top with arugula, feta cheese, and a sweet vinegrette. I know it sounds weird, but it is heavenly. I ordered a carafe of coffee, and asked for several different flavored creamers to accompany it.
Just as Hazel walked away with the order, Rico and Grace walked in. I waved them over and they both gave me a nervous grin. They sat across from me, and looked as if they were about to be scolded by the principal. I chuckled at them and said, “It’s OK you two, no one is going to bite your heads off for being mates.” They seemed to relax a bit and I told them that I had ordered us a pizza and explained what it was. They both seemed excited about it and thanked me.
We made small talk until the food arrived, and then began to eat. I learned that neither of them were upset anymore about being mates, they were more concerned about what others would think. Namely, Roxy and the twins. I assured them that the twins were on board and happy about it, and I was pretty sure that Roxy would be elated. She loved both of them like they were her own. As we were talking, the twins walked in, and came straight to our table.
“Hey guys,” Rico smiled. Liam and Loki smiled back and sat down with us. Thankfully, there was enough pizza left over for them to have some too. Loki asked Hazel to bring him and Liam a frosty glass of their new juniper IPA beer, and they helped themselves to the pizza. They joked around with Rico a bit before Grace said to us, “I can’t go through this with Rico without all of your approval. I need to hear from others that Nick would be OK with me being mated to one of his best friends. You knew him best, and you know how he would feel about it.” Loki stopped mid-chew and Liam nearly choked on his beer. Liam gathered his thoughts and blurted out, “Of course Nick would be fine with it. He wanted you to be happy no matter what. Even when he was alive, all he wanted was your happiness, Grace. He loved Rico like a brother, and would want his happiness a priority as well. So, if you really think about it, maybe Nick convinced the goddess that you two would make each other the happiest. So, be happy.” He sat back in his seat, proud of his epiphany, and smiled at the couple.
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.