Marked by the Alphas

Chapter 122: Chapter 122

Elara POV

I look at Kane with admiration and appreciation. We are all cramped up in a crappy situation, and he is extending an olive branch, trying to maintain the peace. And he is right. If we want to survive this cabin, we must work together.

“I have a better idea,” I blurt out, and everyone turns to me.

“How about a picnic?” I smile brightly. “I mean, we have nothing else to do, and this place is small.”

“We can all do with fresh air,” Kane smiles at me.

“Then it’s settled,” I grin. “And since it’s my idea, and I have zero confidence in your cooking abilities, I’ll prepare the food.”

“I can cook,” Mason replies, and I notice the faint hint of a smile tugging at his mouth. “I’ll help you.”

“Sure,” I smile wickedly. I bet Mason figures helping me would give him alone time to reconnect. “You can help.”

“Here,” I hand Stella over to him. “She needs a diaper change. I’ll prepare the food while the three of you care for the babies. Oh, and lay out blankets and pillows on the grass. Make it nice for the kiddies.”

I suppress my smile as I turn around and walk to the kitchen, leaving three men staring dumbstruck at me.

Kane POV

I groan inwardly. Elara tried to do good, but she had no idea the situation she put us in. We do not want Mason to see our babies. We do not want him to ask questions.

“I’ll put out the blankets and pillows,” Axel sighs, walking to the room.

“Since our kids are still sleeping, I’ll help Axel,” I smile stiffly at Mason. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

“What the fuck are we going to do if he puts two and two together?” Axel mind links as we gather blankets and pillows.

“We deny it,” I reply bluntly. “We’re brothers, after all, there will be a resemblance.”

“I love them, Kane,” Axel sounds desperate. “I don’t want them to grow up in a rogue city.”

“It won’t come to that, okay?” I snap. I know I cannot guarantee it, but I am trying my best to be positive. “For Goddess’ sake, we’re living in a cage. He’s going to see the twins at some point; we might as well get it over with.”

Axel reluctantly stays quiet, and we finish setting up the picnic area under the tree in front of the cabin.

“This tree is perfect for a swing,” Mason says beside me, and I turn to him.

“It is,” I smile politely. “But heaven knows, this place is too small to raise a family.”

“We don’t agree on much, but I’m right there with you,” Mason chuckles.

An awkward silence settles between us as we stare at the tree, and I sway back and forth on my heels.

“You did a great job,” Mason points to the blankets and pillows.

“Thanks,” I nod. “So, ... uhm, let’s get the kids. Elara shouldn’t be much longer.”

I turn around and practically run inside. Being civil with Mason seems to be more complicated than I anticipated. All we have in common is arguments. We both despise Dad, and we both love Elara. And both topics will lead to a fight.

“Perfect timing,” Elara smiles when we enter the cabin. “The food is done.”

“We’ll get the kids,” I smile, bending over Isaac. My little man chews on his fist while looking at me, and I freeze. Isaac has Mason’s eyes. Facial features are one thing, but Alice, Axel and I all have blue eyes.

Shit.

“Axel,” I mind link him quickly. “Take Isaac and keep him away from Mason as much as you can. I’ll distract him with Lanie.”

“I’ll do my best,” Axel replies as we switch babies.

Mason is already sitting on the blanket with Stella while Elara spreads out the food on the side.

“Hey, Mason,” I say jovially as I sit next to him.

“Meet Lanie,” I smile, holding her to him.

“What?” He raises his eyebrows. “Aren’t you afraid I’m going to rub off rogue onto your daughter?”

“That’s mean, Mason,” Elara snaps, before I can respond. “You were the one bitching about not meeting the twins.”

My heart swells with joy that she is covering for me, and I keep my smile to myself. I am more than capable of fending for myself but knowing that she is on my side is priceless.

“You can hold both girls, if you like,” I say sweetly, Lanie still hanging mid-air between us.

Mason does not reply. He simply takes Lanie and gives me Stella.

“Hello, my beautiful girl,” I coo, stroking her cheek. As much as I love Lanie and Isaac, there is something extra special knowing that Elara and my blood are running through her veins.

Cautiously, I look at Mason, and I hate that I feel guilty as I watch him with his daughter. Axel and I are being selfish. We are depriving him of the feeling of holding his own.

“She looks so much like Alice,” Mason whispers nostalgically. “She would’ve been so proud. As shallow as it sounds, Alice was all about looks, and she would’ve been so happy to see that her daughter inherited her blond curls and blue eyes.”

“You’re right,” I laugh genuinely for the first time today. “Can you imagine the outfits Alice would’ve picked out for her?”

“Goddess, help us,” Mason rolls his eyes theatrically. “I hope the two of you have more sense.”

“Oh, they’ll be dressed in burlap and shapeless rags,” I say, looking at Stella. “At least until they’re eighteen.”

“You’re a bunch of hypocrites,” Elara laughs softly. freёwebnovel.com

“Kane’s right,” Mason says, surprising me. “We’re men, and we know what men think when they see a beautiful girl.”

We all look at Elara, and she rolls her eyes. And with that, the ice is broken, and the four of us chat and joke like old friends. Hope blooms in my heart. Maybe, just maybe, we can get along and be one happy family.

But I know the peace is only temporary. Orion is dead on us like a vulture