The Alpha Twins and their Runaway Witch

72

Ariel let herself be ushered into the house, the crowd of parents, Alex and August and Binh all making their way inside where Caspian immediately ran to the kitchen to place dozens of dishes that had been warming in the oven onto waiting trivets on the counter. "We have a little buffet for dinner, please help yourselves Binh and Ariel." Caspian offered from the kitchen, oven mitts still on his hands as he rearranged all the food while Ariel and the Twins changed out of their riding gear.

"Hope you came hungry, the lizard got a little excited and cooked too much." A wolf father with dark hair teased Caspian. Caspian smiled, though he did make a slight displeased face as his brows furled just a touch.

August cut in, not wanting to spook Ariel, "Dad always teases Papa C. He can't help himself." after Holland's teasing comment towards Caspian, August and Alex were worried that maybe their entire family was too much. If she ran away from them again, Alex and August were worried that the tenuous hold they had on their wolves would snap. Wolves were not accustomed to their mate behaving like Ariel did. They were all doing their best to wait patiently for Ariel to be ready to be their mate.

Ariel walked slowly with small steps into a home that was full to the brim of family love. It was truly different from any other home she had ever seen. There were portraits of all the Greenrivers siblings on the walls. A gallery of eight happy children growing up together interspersed with pictures of larger groups, other families. As Ariel explored the main open great home, she took in exhibitions of childish to skilled artwork and records of accomplishments spattered throughout the home.

Ariel hadn't ever had much of a chance to see the homes where functional families lived. After her mother had abandoned her, she had bounced from corporate run group home to other for profit care homes. A handful of foster families had taken her in through the years, but most of those were at best in it for the payments meant for her upkeep, and at worst looking to exploit her in other ways.

Ariel was busy looking at a framed newspaper print out of a baseball team announcement from the small local community paper, Alex and August had been the tie win for MVP for the championship game, and the entire tournament. "Mom likes to keep everything." Ariel turned around to see August waiting behind her.

"Can't help it that I'm proud of my babies." Hannah called out from the kitchen where she was helping Caspian finish setting up the buffet. Ariel looked over at the auburn beauty who did not look remotely old enough to be their mother. Holland strode towards a cupboard and took out a stack of plates, calling out dinner was ready as though he had single handedly prepared every dish.

Hannah kissed Caspian on the cheek, needing to move up on tip toes as the dragon dipped his knees subtly so Hannah didn't notice he moved to meet her kiss sooner. She whispered a private thank you to him. Aspen close at he other side. "Holland is over excited Ariel, you'll need to forgive his manners." Holland turned red, as the dragon held up one finger for Holland. Making Holland turn even more red.

"Sorry, old habits creep in sometimes." Holland said as he handed a plate to Ariel, as she entered the large open kitchen to look down at a feast laid out on the counter.Alex had apparently come by his cooking skills honestly. Everything smelled and looked amazing. Binh came and stood near by as Ariel clutched her plate in both hands, unsure of what to do, it didn't seem right to just take whatever she wanted, there had to be some kind of rule that she did not know.

Ariel started to smell of fear, Alex, August and Binh were all about to jump in and intervene, but Holland was fast, "Caspian did over do it, right? Here, this is rosemary and lemon roasted chicken, then even I have to admit the smashed potatoes are fantastic-" Ariel lost herself in the moment, Holland's voice was easy to listen to, Binh had gone to the french doors leading towards the woods from the dining room, letting in Three Hours Past Midnight who immediately joined Ariel on her shoulder just as Holland placed a warmed dinner roll on her plate to go with the chicken and mountain of sides he had carefully filled her plate with.

Alex and August moved to quickly fill their own plates to walk with Ariel towards the large wooden rustic table that had held every family meal their entire lives and before. Alex deftly balanced his plate in one hand and pulled out Ariel's chair for her as she set her own plate down at the table. Alex was about to sit down beside her, when he stopped himself before August could. "Is it alright if I sit beside you?" She had sat behind each of them for hours on the road today, but that was then and this was now.

Blissfully, Ariel nodded, gesturing with her hand for Alex to sit down, saying sweetly that she would like it if August sat on her other side. Three Hours Past Midnight moved along the back of her chair as August and Alex settled in with giant matching grins on each of their faces. Grins the bird was doing his best to intimidate off their faces. Over protective fathers had absolutely nothing compared to their mate's Familiar for being able to make the twins feel small and unworthy.

The raven made a small cooing sound into Ariel's ear before issuing a final glare towards August and Alex leaping up from her chair to settle onto the perch Aspen had been carving secretly this week. Glad it was ready in time for his son's soon to be mate's arrival. Having been warned well in advance that such a piece would be needed, and the familiar was an exceptionally vain and proud raven, who had earned the respect of the trees and their Goddess for his dedication and service. Which meant Aspen felt obligated to try and do whatever he could to help his son's woo their mate. Ensuring a raven had a suitable perch was something Aspen knew he could do.

Without taking a plate, the demon went and took his own seat facing Ariel from the other side of the table. Hannah took a seat next to Binh, Aspen on her other side, then Caspian at the seat at the end. Holland sat on August's other side, with Max between Holland and Binh. The Greenrivers family fell easily back into the comfort of eating a meal together. As though no time had elapsed since they all had shared a table. Passing the water pitcher around the table, the salt and pepper shakers making their way from one end to the other for those who needed, the butter dish moving from end to end. August preened as Ariel let him pour her water for her while she was already busy slicing herself bites from her chicken breast.

Alex got his turn as the meal began to wind down. Caspian used air magic to set out wine glasses and moved one of Hannah's favourite wines to the table. Ariel was already nearly drunk on good feelings. Still buzzing from riding on the motorcycles all day behind each of her mates. She nodded her head as Alex offered to fill her glass. A glass of wine before heading to bed sounded absolutely luxurious to Ariel.

Ariel stayed quiet for the most part. Savouring feeling of the moment, happy sat between August and Alex. She was safe, she had been well fed, she had managed to stop herself from saying something embarrassing the entire meal. Ariel allowed herself to just feel what she was feeling, embraced the pull of the mate bond, her own desire for both Alex and August.

"Boys she is dropping might be time to get her into bed." Holland called out. Earning the alpha wolf a displeased caw and disapproving look from both the raven and an equal look from Binh. Ariel's face paled as her mouth fell open in shock. It was hard to tell which of Ariel's protectors were more offended on her behalf.

Alex's mind short circuited, and it was left to August to intervene, "Ariel would prefer her own room, I thought Pen's might be nice for her, and Binh could stay in Cassian's room tonight." August said without judgement or rebuke in his tone. Just a casual conversation.

Hannah nodded, "Penny's room is ready for a guest, as is Cassian's, we have a cottage arranged for you all starting tomorrow, so you don't all have to stay under your parents noses." Ariel was glad for the assurance of a private room, standing up, her head did a little spin from the wine and tiredness in her body.

Alex and August both jumped to attention, standing to joining her. August grabbed the currently vacant perch to move it into Pen's room in case the raven wanted it overnight. Uncertain exactly what Ariel and the bird's sleeping arrangement was.

The brother's lead Ariel to her room for the evening, as Caspian offered to show Binh to his accommodations. Binh was a little anxious to leave Ariel alone, but knew it was for the best to let her grow more attached to the twins. It would make it easier on her when he left her to seek his solitude and peace somewhere new. Besides, he could guard her dreams from anywhere. Distance was no obstacle.