Chapter 4

Leaving work, Alvin pushed his sunglasses on and walked down the street toward the local coffee shop. A whole hour to himself and he was going to enjoy a coffee and maybe a muffin or slice of cake with no little fingers trying to steal some.

He loved his siblings, but there were times when he wanted to be a man with no responsibilities. No kids to dress and feed, no kids to get to school, no tantrums to deal with. But if he didn't have those, he wouldn't have the hugs, the smiles, the ‘love yous'. They were worth it even if on occasion they drove him batshit crazy.

As he approached the shop, movement caught his eye, and he saw Eli walking across the street from him. Eli saw him, slowed slightly, then quickly walked on, ignoring Alvin. Alvin stopped and stared, watching Eli's retreating figure, and ignored the way his chest tightened. Licking his lips, and blinking his suddenly itchy eyes, Alvin ignored the ache in his throat and walked into the coffee shop.

The bitter aroma of coffee enveloped him, and he plastered on a fake smile as he stood by the counter. "Filter please and a blueberry muffin."

"How are the kids?"

"They're good. All in today, so now I have a free hour to relax."

"I remember when mine were that age. They grow up so quick. One day they're crawling by your feet, and the next they have a family of their own. I know it's hard, but enjoy these times."

Alvin smiled at the older woman and looked at her nametag. Agatha. "I will, though you're right about driving me nuts some days."

"Go and sit and I'll bring these over for you."

Alvin smiled again and found an empty table by the window. Once he sat, he closed his eyes and lowered his head. Elliot Young. What had Alvin done to make the older shift stay away from him? Was it the kids? Was a mate who came with a family too much for him? Did he have some hang-up from his past?

Elliot had been in the military. That was pretty much all Alvin knew about him. He didn't know his age, only that he was older than Alvin. He didn't know if he had a family in Morefield Village or, well, anything. He knew fuck all, and it looked like it would remain that way unless he asked questions. Thing was, he didn't want to have to ask those questions. He wanted his mate to want him in return. That wasn't going to happen anytime soon.

The only time Elliot had willingly spoken to him was to warn him about things that went bump in the night. Opening his eyes, Alvin shook his head. Creatures roaming outside of Morefield in the woods? Come on. That had to be the silliest thing Alvin had heard, but when some other man had told Alvin to listen…

Nope, he still didn't believe it.

They had enough to deal with. They all knew about the group of humans who wanted to hurt them. They all saw the extra security, cameras, patrols. The new building at either end of the Village, the outpost surrounding Morefield. It was hard to ignore the increased presence of hardened men who looked like they could kill with a single punch.

Now creatures? Creatures the shifters struggled to take down? What the fuck was Eli smoking? Alvin would never know because his mate wouldn't even talk to him.

"Here you go." Alvin smiled up at Agatha and thanked her. She patted his back. "Enjoy it while you can and give those kids a hug."

Alvin nodded and sipped his coffee, sighing. He needed it today. Biting into the muffin, he held back his moan as blueberries burst over his tongue. This was a good muffin and not dry like some could be. Eating his muffin, his thoughts drifted back to Eli. Was there ever a time they didn't?

Since finding out they were mates—and that Eli had known for some time—Alvin was at a loss about what to do. It hurt that Eli held the truth from him, hurt that the man destined to be his other half had avoided Alvin so he wouldn't catch his scent. It hurt knowing Eli didn't want him.

To Alvin, it didn't matter why the older shifter stayed away. They all lead to one place. Hurt. It hurt so bad it made his chest tight and his breath shallow, his limbs weak, but he couldn't fall into depression. He had too much to take care of. A family, bills to pay, a job to keep.

One day when he was older, when the kids didn't need him so much, maybe he could find someone who wanted him. It would be hard to walk away from his mate, but his mate didn't want him; what choice did he have?

Checking the time, Alvin finished his muffin and drink and left the coffee shop, heading toward the school. He could have brought the car, but the walk did him some good, and the walk back to the car would burn off some of their energy. He'd found once they left school they needed to run, and the walk helped.

The walk also helped him plan the evening. What meal to cook, though he'd already decided on pasta, veg, and the most important part: cheese. He had the evening routine perfected now, so he had no worries there, but there were kids involved, so who knew what could happen?

Alvin picked up the twins first, smiling at their happy faces when they ran to him to tell them what they'd done that day. He held their hands as they walked over to Alison's school, Sylvie skipping and Slater trying to hop on one leg.

When Alison came out, she ran over and gave them a hug, then tried to shove her bag at Alvin. "Where am I going to put it?"

"Alvin," she whined, but put her bag on over her shoulders.

"Tell me about you day."

Alison growled, and Alvin arched his eyebrows. "That Taden is an idiot. I want to smack him, but he's faster than me." Looking at Alvin, she asked, "Can I hit him when no one is looking?"

"Hmm. I don't think so. You could get into trouble." And then he would be asked to speak to the teacher.

"It would be worth it," she muttered. "He pulls my hair. I want to hit him."

"What has the teacher said?" Oh, he wasn't prepared for this, but he hadn't been prepared for any of it. He was stumbling along and hoping he didn't cause too much damage and that he raised semi-decent kids.

Alison rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically, and Alvin sucked his lips in to stop from smiling. "She'll talk to him. Again."

"Well, why don't you see if it works this time?"

"It doesn't work! He's horrible and smelly, and I hate him." Alison stomped her foot and crossed her arms over her chest, her lips sticking out. "I hope he trips into a thorn bush. That would teach him."

"I hope he listens to his teacher and is nice to you. We don't wish harm on others." That was the right thing to say, wasn't it?

"I do, and I want to see it so I can laugh. Stupid stinky smelly toe rag."

Somehow Alvin held back his laugh. "He's a boy."

"So are you, but you're nice when you're not making me do chores." Alison skipped along in front of Alvin and the twins. "No chores and I'm a happy girl."

"No chores and we'd all be much happier." That was one thing he could agree with. Chores, house work, whatever you wanted to call it, was something Alvin tried to avoid but knew he couldn't. Single parent, right? Had to keep the house clean and tidy. Well, clean anyway. They were still working on the tidy part.

They made it to Alvin's car, and Alvin helped them in and buckled them up. It wasn't long before he pulled up outside their home and helped the kids out.

Inside, it was coats and shoes off, bags hung up, and for Alison, reading time. It was something Alvin did every night with her, then he made dinner. Soon, they were all sitting at the table, and Alvin was helping twins eat their food and not cover themselves and the floor with it.

Alison didn't need help, so Alvin could leave her to eat, but the twins did or it was a disaster zone. Once they were done, Alvin cleaned up and washed the dishes, then spent some time playing with the kids and watching cartoons.

When bath time came around, he did the twins first, then helped Alison. She was getting to the age where Alvin would leave her alone for as much as possible before helping with her hair. Once they were done, it was reading time in bed and then Alvin spent a little longer with Alison, who was allowed to stay up a bit later.

When all three were finally asleep, Alvin took the time to make sure the house was locked up and finished putting toys away, washing the odd cup that had been missed, then relaxed to watch some mindless crap on TV.

He could feel tiredness tugging at him, but he needed a few minutes to be Alvin and not a big brother. Pulling out one of his books, hidden where the kids couldn't find it, Alvin opened to the page where he'd left his book mark. Yes, he knew about tablets to read on, but there was something about holding a book in his hands, smelling the newness, turning the pages. He loved books.

This one was about a prince and his servant and how the servant had to do everything the prince wanted. Everything. Alvin sighed as his found the spot and began.

"Alfred."

"Yes, Sir."

"I need help to undress."

"Of course, Sir." He was the prince, so of course, Alfred would do as the prince asked, even if it did make him feel uncomfortable. His trousers being one such area. The sight of the prince's naked body had Alfred struggling to remain impassive, but he would never let the prince know how he affected Alfred.

Helping the prince to remove his shirt, Alfred stepped in front of him and began to unbutton it. As each button slipped through its hole, more beautiful light skin was revealed. Once the buttons were free, Alfred moved behind the prince and slipped his shirt from his broad, sculptured shoulders. He wanted to touch, but he was a mere servant and that would never happen.

The prince shrugged it free and waited as Alfred dealt with it, then he moved in front of the prince and knelt before him to remove his shoes and socks. He reached up and slid the belt free, then undid the button and pulled down the zip.

"Alfred."

"Sir?"

"I need something more from you tonight."

Alfred kept his face passive and nodded. "Of course, Sir. How may I be of assistance?"

"You agree?"

"Why would I refuse you, Sir?" Alfred managed to keep the frown from showing and then his eyes lowered when the prince kicked his trousers and underwear free. Alfred licked his lips at the prince's evident arousal.

"Alfred."

"Sir?"

"Suck me."

Alfred blinked and licked his lips again, his mouth flooding with saliva. Finally, he had the chance to touch the prince in a manner he had only dreamed of. "Yes, Sir." Opening his mouth, the velvety head slid inside and?—

A knock on the door made Alvin furrow his brow. Checking the time, he saw it was nearing ten at night. Who would be here at this time? Putting the book mark in his book, Alvin tucked it away and stood. He approached the door, his head cocked, listening to whoever stood on the other side.

Only one steady heart beat so he opened the door and stared.

"Can we talk?"