Accepting My Twin Mates

4 years later

Astennu

“That's it, moy luchik (my little sunbeam)” Konstantin crouched behind Luka and grasped his hands. “Use elbow to cast” Luka’s arm followed the arc his grandfather's did, and his lure plopped on the surface not too far away in the lake.

“Baba (dad)! I did it” He bounced up and down, almost whipping his lure out of the water.

“You're an expert like your dedulya (grandpa).” I chuckled next to him as I slowly reeled in my own lure to act as an insect on the surface. It had been a while since I fished last, but I remembered some of the basics. “Make sure you concentrate, so you don't miss the tug.”

His little face scrunched up in concentration, an expression I was often told was just like mine. But when he smiled, Luka had the same single dimple as Badru, his eyes lighting up in a luminous, smokey-blue hue like Evie's.

Konstantin stood up and stroked the back of Luka’s wavy black hair, guiding him on how to reel in the line and re cast. A warm late-August day wouldn't see much activity in the fish, but my pup was impatient to learn how to use the birthday present he received last week.

The tranquillity was short-lived, broken by a string of loud Spanish yelling coming from the open double doors to the deck behind us. No wonder Diego opted to go with Evie to pick up our surprise guest from the airport. After four years of trying, he and Catalina finally had their little bundle on the way, due in September. Her short temper had shrunk further in the last month, and it didn't take much to ignite the touch paper of her ire. On the receiving end in my kitchen was her brother, Thiago.

“Do you think she needs a hand?” Lucy suggested from under her parasol, where she rocked her four month old daughter, Taiga.

“Nope. Don't go in there,” Badru answered, shaking his head and concentrating on his carving.

sulking that Evie hadn't returned home yet, Lada went to her next favourite person, Luka, licking his cheek. He giggled away, and just like that, fishing had lost its appeal, at least for now.

“Can I go play?” He pouted, knowing his grandpa was the softest touch with any pup.

“Of course, luchik. But bring in line first. You no leave it out.

“I wanna play toot” Alena squeaked, jumping up on her little legs and waving her brightly painted unicorn carving at Konstantin. “Daddy, this is for you, but it's wet”

“Whoa there, glitterball" He grabbed her in time for her father to catch up, exchanging the pastel-painted unicorn for Konstantin’s daughter.

He and his mate, Leah, were expecting fraternal triplets in eight months. I knew he loved kids, and they'd been trying for years, but I think he was hoping for a little gap between each pup.

He took the small unicorn back to set it in the sun to dry.

Konstantin had a habit of being completely oblivious to how comforting he could be, especially around the younger wolf warriors. It was why many of them loved him as the Beta and had begun following the lycan tradition of the pack tattoos. “Thiago!” an irate voice shouted, followed by an angry and pregnant Catalina. “Why did you leave me alone to finish cooking?”

“You told me to get the flip’ out” ~ he air quoted what I assumed was a substitute for a violent swear - “So, I did."

“Yeah... well, I need you now. So, andele (hurry up)!” She pushed him back inside the house.

He huffed loudly, trailing behind his sister and muttering under his breath.

“Are you giving me attitude?” she yelled as they disappeared inside the kitchen.

“Me? Naaaw. I'm just reminding myself I can't put my pregnant hermanita (baby sister) in a headlock”

I recast my line, even though I knew it would be pointless, and side-eyed my brother. “She's really mellowed out, don't you think?"

He levelled me with a glare. “Stop trying to trap me with sarcasm!

It's taken thirty years, but he's learning, Aasim huffled.

“Babas!” Luka shouted, lifting his soccer ball over his head and swaying from side to side. “Will you do the lifty thing?” “Ready, omri (my life) 7" Badru took Luka's left hand as I took his right. “Big kick!”

His sneaker struck the side of the ball, and his giggle echoed out as he swung through the air. Lada took off and gave chase, nosing it around until my brother called her back.

“Me next! Me next!” Alena bounced and reached up her arms.

The difference this time was that Evie was coming with us, as much as hated her anywhere near harm's way.

Alpha Morgan had helped us out two years before and would be doing so again. His abilities as a white wolf were invaluable, but it could be difficult to fight alongside him when his aura exuded; it affected even the strongest of Alphas.

The waves of worry receded, replaced by the tides of a tingling blanket wrapping around my chest. It could only mean one thing: my mate was close.

“We're only a few minutes away, her mind link came following the mate bond's bloom, just heading past the pack house now. How's my baby?

Tm ok. Keeping out of mischief’

“Hilarious, goober!

“Alright, alright” I decided to play with her just a little more. “Badru’s been behaving himself with Catalina. He'll probably need a snack soon so he doesn't get cranky!

“Aste!’

Luka’s been playing soccer with Lada. Fishing was a bust, though. We need to do it again later in the year, its too warm right now.’

“50 no fresh-caught fish to go with Cata’s tacos? Evie jabbed at my lacklustre fishing skills.

Unfortunately, not today. We'll have to stick with whatever filling she’s making”

“Aste! Are you not helping her?’ She gave me a dressing down. “She can barely reach over her stomach:

That's why she's shouting at Thiago. She kicked us all out of the kitchen to keep us out of her goddess-damned hair

Diego chimed in, “That's mi vida picante (my spicy life). Which meant Evie had included him in the mind-link at some point. 'm glad you enjoy it, pal!

“Taco time! They're just pulling into the drive,” Catalina called with perfect timing.

Lada's happy yapping and bouncing feet took off as Evie stepped around the corner of the house. My mate stooped to pet our dog, laughing as Lada gently licked her face.

“Mommy!” Luka went flying into his mother's arms.

She scooped him up, smothering his cheeks with kisses.

“Uncle BI"

“My word, little pup, you double in size every time I see you

I sidled up to the left of my mate as Badru moved to her right.

You saved any kisses for us, ammar? I nuzzled into her cheek

Maybe just a couple’