Anteros: A Tale of Requited Love

A Family In the Making

Chapter 9

In the hall, Niles was setting the dinner on table with Nikolas helping. Stefanos and Vasileios were busy with the preparations with the full moon only four days away now. They walked in looking tired but content.

"Are they coming?" asked Vasileios going for a pastry only to have Niles bat his hand away.

"It's not to be had before the dinner," said Niles and looked at Stefanos for support. The Alpha did not say anything making Niles scowl.

"Oh, poor you. The Alpha King doesn't defend you huh?" asked Vasileios.

"Not my fault that he has a stick up his ass," said Niles smirking.

Stefanos's eyes narrowed as Vasileios laughed. Nikolas shushed them as he kept the rest of the dishes.

Then they heard the footsteps. Zacchaeus was wearing a light blue t- shirt and tracksuit while Kristof was in a mustard yellow shirt and track suit and they were holding hands. They knew it is impossible to have no physical contact so soon after the mating.

"No- Not one word, any of you," said Kristof, rolling his eyes.

"Ruin all our fun, brother in law. Oh, how long we have waited to call you that," said Vasileios.

"True. We are all happy for you ," said Stefanos.

"Congratulations," said Nikolas beaming.

Niles just crashed onto Kristof who wrapped him in left arm, not letting go of his Alpha's hand for a moment to hold the pup. Niles looked at Zacchaeus apologetically.

The Elder King just snorted and ruffled his hair and looked at his brothers who were all on them in a moment. The family scent settled around them. Even the Alpha King let himself be vulnerable this one moment as they shared this happiness.

"Alright, now the dinner will grow cold, come one," said Zacchaeus, as he went off to sit at the table.

Niles must say he is amazed at how, they all just become who they always are after sharing that tender family moment in a gentle group hug.

The dinner was delicious and underneath the table, Zacchaeus and Kristof's arms remained entwined.
Once the dinner was done, Kristof accompanied Nikolas and Niles down to the kitchen.

Once they left, all three Alpha's settled around in the common living room.

"We have made arrangements for a ceremony on full moon," said Stefanos.

Zacchaeus nodded.

"I think after this, the pack will take the risk and you both need to visit the packs with Nikolas, to find your mates," said Zacchaeus.

"Brother"

"We will discuss this further. Now, how is the border security faring?" asked Zacchaeus.

"According to today's report, the packs are offering the rogues land and uninterrupted food supply. They are far from the borders but there is nothing between us and them. And I don't think having one of our packs in between is wise either. At least this way, we can do direct defending. Their leader is young. He is said to be in late twenties, an Alpha," said Stefanos.

"Moreover, they don't attack the other packs under us. Their attacks are always concentrated on our pack only," said Vasileios.

"We will wait for the next move. Attacking at this point is not good in the strictly humane sense. Our warriors and hunters shouldn't have to get hurt because of all the foul play underway. We will wait for an opportune moment to strike," said Zacchaeus.