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Alexi let out a high-pitched squeal, and the house shook so hard, every dish rattled and the lamp above them swung dangerously fast.
Rone stood and slammed the baby food on the counter, cursing when it slid off and shattered. “Alexi, stop!”
He only cried and shook the house harder.
Mihaela screamed when Skoll came charging through the house in his big, hairy protector form, roaring down at Alexi, his eyes glowing golden like a nightmarish monster.
“I told you not to do that!” Mihaela stood on her toes and smacked his big chest.
“Should I just wait until the roof caves in on us?” he hollered, throwing up his leathery hands. “He stopped, didn’t he?”
True enough, Alexi had stopped his tantrum and the house had settled, though the poor baby looked ready to faint from fright as he gaped up at his grandfather with big, watery eyes, his lower lip hanging in a pout.
Skoll stomped over to the stairwell, calling down to Annie. “Everyone okay?”
“Yeah,” she called back. “All safe under the table.”
“Call Cyan,” Mihaela said to Rone. “Ask her to come now.”
Rone reached into his pocket. “Okay.”
“Don’t give me that look, Mihaela.” Still in his protector form, Skoll crossed back toward Mihaela and Rone, his beefy hands clenched at his sides. “It’s my job to protect this family.”
“He’s abebelus,” she said. Bebelus meant baby in her native Romanian tongue. Her accent always got thicker when she was upset.
“Who needs to be protected from himself!” Skoll seethed.
Mihaela crossed her arms, glaring up at him. “You can shift back now.”
Skoll’s heavy brow drew down. “I’m staying in protector form until Amara comes home.”
Rone went out onto the balcony as his parents’ heated voices intensified. He reached Cyan’s alpha, Erik, on the second ring and briefly explained their situation. He hated putting the family out, but they agreed to come over right away. Shoulders slumping, he returned to his parents, who were still arguing. He had to hand it to his mother, who showed not the slightest ounce of fear as she jabbed Skoll’s big chest.
“Could you guys take this outside?” He waved his hands. “Cyan’s coming.”
“Call Tor,” Skoll said to Rone. “Tell him to come relieve me.”
“Skoll.” Mihaela grabbed his arm. “Don’t act like this.”
Skoll shook Mihaela off him and stomped past Rone. “Call him,” he said over his shoulder before going to the fridge. He shifted into his human form and grabbed a beer. Then he wrapped a blanket around his waist and stomped back onto the patio. Mihaela followed him, and Rone shut the door on them as they continued to argue.
Rone looked over at Alexi, who sat as still as a statue in his high chair. He dialed his alpha father Tor with trembling hands. “Father,” he whispered into the receiver when Tor answered. “Skoll wants you to come relieve him.”
“Something happen?”
He heaved a pent-up breath. “Alexi is being Alexi. Skoll and Mom are fighting.”
“We’ll be right over.”
“Thanks.” Rone knew that by ‘we’ Tor meant he’d have to bring their brooding sister, Tatiana. She’d been so moody lately, and Rone suspected it was because she’d had another argument with her fated mates, no doubt after she put off the bonding once again. Whenever she came over, she usually just pouted in a corner and offered little help, but he’d take that over his mother and second-alpha father arguing all the time.
Amaroki law dictated that packs always have at least one protector with them at all times, otherwise, he knew Skoll would’ve already left. He understood the rule, since Alaska was teaming with bears and other threats. One could never be too careful. He pocketed his phone and returned to Alexi.
“Mama,” Alexi cried out.
“Come here, baby.” Rone unstrapped him from his high chair and returned him to his playpen, handing him a pacifier. “Cyan will be here soon to feed you.” His voice cracked and broke on a plea. “I just need you to be a good boy.”
Alexi swatted away the pacifier. “Mama.”
