Home-Wrecking Alpha

Brooke

Mark was the first to respond. He was so accustomed to my question that it had become as natural as breathing for him.

“I’m okay, sweetheart. Just needed some fresh air and a little snack. That did the trick!”

But there was a stiffness about him that felt unfamiliar.

His gaze was fixed on me, but he was acutely aware of everyone else in the room.

I noticed he didn’t mention taking his medication, and I wondered if he was hoping his explanation would go unchallenged.

Now didn’t seem like the right time to bring up this minor oversight.

I glanced from Slate to my husband. Everyone was watching us as if their lives depended on it, and it was unnerving.

Between Slate’s dark look and my husband’s subdued demeanor, I was ready to herd everyone back into the car and leave.

Still holding the boys’ hands, I moved to stand next to Mark.

The plan to show them all to the restroom was nearly forgotten as I watched the two men before me.

Brushing against Mark intentionally, I asked in a hushed voice.

“Is everything…” I glanced at Slate. “…okay?”

Slate’s eyes were narrowed on my husband, and there was a threat there that I couldn’t understand.

Mark, however, stood with his head slightly bowed before he turned his head sideways toward me.

The small smile on his lips was far from reassuring, but he reached out and patted my arm.

The chill of his hand through my shirt startled me before he said, “Yeah, everything is going to be just fine now.”

His choice of words struck me, but I didn’t get a chance to question them.

“Go on ahead.” He smiled at me gently. “I know Hayden won’t be able to hold it much longer.”

His gaze fell on our youngest, who was fidgeting more than usual.

“We both know the potty dance is next.”

He chuckled, and the tension within me eased slightly as I giggled.

“Yeah, okay.”

The darkness on Slate’s face had only slightly faded, but at least he didn’t look like he was ready to pounce.

Did they know each other?

“Be right back,” I promised.

Mark squeezed my arm, and his eyes dropped from me to the floor below him.

Leaving the two men, I quickened my pace to steer the boys away from them.

Mark and Slate had already started to speak to each other in hushed tones, too low for me to hear.

Maybe Slate wasn’t as pleased as he initially seemed about us being there.

As I guided my little ones away, the air momentarily changed as a wave of energy slammed against me, making me gasp.

The others in the room grew quiet as a deep, throaty growl echoed against the walls.

Gripping the boys’ hands even tighter, I pushed us forward while trying to locate the creature that made the noise.

The sound made my insides tremble, though it wasn’t entirely fear that resonated within me.

Soon enough, the atmosphere in the room returned to normal, and the tension eased, allowing me to breathe once more.

No one else seemed bothered by the fact that it sounded like a wild beast was in the building with them, and conversations filled the room once more.

Maybe it was all in my head, a side effect of hunger and sleep making me delusional.

We reached the restroom, and I ushered an eager Hayden into the larger than usual powder room.

True to his nature, he wanted to explore everything before he did his business.

It took nearly holding him down before I could calm him enough to finally sit on the seat.

Once he was there, I felt comfortable enough to leave him…briefly.

On my way out, I wanted to remind him of the rules.

“Don’t forget to…”

Hayden grumbled at me from his throne.

“I know, mommy.” His words lowered to a whisper. “But you need to shut the door, before they ~see~ me.”

His eyes widened momentarily, then he seemed to remember something important. “Please.”

The goofy grin that spread over his face let me know that he was proud of himself for remembering his manners.

For years, the boy hadn’t been remotely concerned with his nudity.

Seemingly overnight, he’d become as modest as a monk.

Okay, so maybe no one could actually see him, but he was more than ready to defend his modesty.

As long as he didn’t forget the little things—flush the toilet, wash your hands—I was happy to meet his request.

The room beyond was buzzing with people talking amongst themselves, punctuated by laughter now and then.

It was a stark contrast to just moments before.

My husband and Slate were still deep in conversation. Watching them, I wasn’t sure how well it was going.

Slate’s expression had lightened somewhat, but he still looked...dangerous.

Mark’s entire demeanor remained as tense and subdued as before.

Their body language suggested something significant was happening between them, but what could be so important between strangers?

There was a familiarity there, but I couldn’t figure out how they might know each other.

However, the company that Mark once worked for was an international one, so it was possible they met through work.

Could that explain some of the hostility from Slate?

The man who had kindly shown me the restroom earlier was heading my way again.

His pale green eyes were practically smiling at me while his straight, blonde hair flopped across his forehead.

His charm reminded me of times when the boys were bursting with excitement about a secret they wanted to share.

It must have been the wide smile on his lips, along with the blush of excitement that coated his face like a fine sheen.

Admittedly, his charm was slightly more mature than my sons, but there was no hiding that he was delighted about something.

He was as attractive as any of them standing around the room.

Genetically speaking, these people seemed to have been gifted the best genes, at least physically.

Just before he reached us, he was already extending an invitation.

“We’re about to have dinner in the dining hall. We’d love for you all to join us.”

For some reason, my face froze in an expression that was nearly blank, like I didn’t understand what he was saying to me.

In fact, I heard everything he said, but my brain hadn’t yet figured out an answer to give him.

I must’ve been lost in my thoughts for a bit too long, because the man started talking again, trying to persuade me to accept his invitation.

“It’s getting late. By the time you get to the nearest town, I bet all the places that serve decent food will be closed.”

He gave me a warm smile.

There was something so approachable and genuine about him, something that made him instantly likable.

Even though he was nearly as tall as Slate, he managed to exude a kind of youthful charm.

His eyes were always sparkling, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it was excitement or mischief that made them shine so brightly.

I couldn’t resist the urge to tease him a little.

“I don’t know. Can you give me a better reason?”

Just then, Hayden burst out of the bathroom at the perfect moment.

“Mommy, you should see the foamy soap they have. It smells like strawberries.”

Well, at least I didn’t have to ask him if he washed his hands.

Aaron chose that moment to go into the bathroom that Hayden had just exited.

“When are we going to eat? I’m hungry,” Hayden complained.

Before I could answer, the man said, “You’re going to have dinner with us tonight, if you’d like.”

When I looked at the man who’d extended the invitation, I saw a small, triumphant smile on his face.

Our little bundle of energy, Hayden, started to bounce up and down, eagerly accepting the invite. Well played!

“Looks like we have dinner plans,” Mark said, grinning as he walked over to us. There was a hint of strain around his mouth.

Whether it was from his illness or his conversation, I couldn’t tell.