BOO, TEA, AND AN APOLOGY

I think Bell would've come sit next to me, but my overprotective dad growled.

Bell paused, it was like he was trying to decide if this was worth pissing Dad off for.

Alpha Solomon raised his brow and looked amused. Trevor shook his head but he was smiling wryly at Bell.

Boo laughed, her hair flared playfully and she leaned on the armrest gracefully, "Well, it was worth a try."

"Sam..." Dad growled a low warning.

But it was Boo, not me. Boo smiled at Dad in her usual daring, "I can't?"

Internally, I winced. I wasn't sure how Dad was going to take Boo. I mean, I knew it was Boo, but I was also well aware that I was in my human form, not my wolf form. I wondered if Boo would be too shocking for my good ol' dad.

But Dad took it in his stride, shaking his head with a chuckle, he suddenly turned into dapper dad and answered, "Ask me again when you're 45."

My hair raised in protest.

"Give or take some." Dapper Dad allowed graciously.

"Hn." Bell smirked. Did he think my Dad was joking?

Behind me, my wolves had taken their places behind me. Over the mindlink, Ben had ordered Fluffy to take the minutes.

{In English.} Ben specified.

{Don't worry scary beta,} Fluffy promised happily, {This tablet is not equipped with lycan script input.}

Harvey's sigh came through the mindlink, {I'm sharing a document with you. Please use it as a template, Fluff.}

{You better do it right this time, dog.} Ben warned.

{Maybe I better do it…} Harvey said, {I really don't have time to redo it later.}

{No, Harv. That's what he wants us to do.} Ben sounded determined, {Don't cave in. Remember, "consistent parenting" is key.}

Omo, was Ben using all the parenting techniques Mrs Beta had used on him to train Fluffy?

{Alright.} Harv decided, {Do it properly this time Fluffy. Our Alpha has high expectations for you.}

{I prefer using pen and paper.} Fluffy said, {A quill is sharper than a sword.}

{Just shut up and use it.} Ben was out of patience, {Our Yellow Brick Road Database is gonna be digital. If you want to be the guardian, you learn to use that screen IN ENGLISH.}

I can't imagine why Ben had to emphasize the English part. Actually, I can… I imagine it was quite funny. Fluffy can be very difficult.

{I don't know why Sam had to choose him.} Ben grumbled.

{I'm sure Alpha has her reasons.} Harvey said, {We just have to trust her.}

{Is no one pouring her drink?} Wolfgang asked.

{Do I look like I have time?} Ben snapped.

{Ben…} Harvey warned.

{Never mind, I will do it.} Wolfgang decided.

{Two sugars and half milk, please.} Ki instructed.

{That…might be too sweet.} Wolfgang hesitated.

{Sam drinks melted ice cream like milk.} Ben told him.

I did not! Where did Ben get that idea?

"What's this?" Alpha Solomon recognized the fire wolf, "Sir Wolfgang? Why is the Fire Pillar of the Snow Moon Kingdom here pouring tea?"

Wolfgang calmly set the cup in front of me, but he looked down and said nothing.

"Alpha Gunter lent him to us to be my tutor." Boo explained.

Alpha Solomon raised his brow.

{Since when did tutors serve their students tea, pretty Alpha?} Fluffy pointed out over the mindlink.

Dope! Internal panic, but luckily Boo was still in control, Boo smiled, "Sir Wolfgang is humble to a fault."

Wolfgang took his cue to bow, "Princess is too kind. Serving you tea is my honor."

Alpha Solomon's brow raised even more.

"It is a good lesson in Servant Leadership." Dad nodded approvingly.

Bell smirked, "Hn."

I don't think Bell cared much for the concept.

"Ah, Servant Leadership!" Alpha Solomon nodded, "I've always wondered about it. What do you think, Kingsley? I'm curious to know your thoughts on it."

"You can discuss it later." Bell interrupted, "I believe came here to apologize to my princess and me."

Wait, what? But an Alpha never apologizes.

"I ah, yes." Alpha Solomon looked contrite, "I believe I owe you an apology."

I sat back in surprise.

Bell smiled, his beautiful smile, "A big fat apology."

"Yes." Alpha Solomon squirmed a little. I felt uncomfortable too. Why were we doing this?

"I apologize." Alpha Solomon repeated.

"What exactly are you sorry for?" Bell prompted.

Alpha Solomon swallowed. Bell was not making it easy for him.

"I'm sorry," Alpha Solomon gritted out, "For suspecting you of stealing something from me."

"And?" Bell pressed.

"And having you and your betas and belongings searched." Alpha Solomon continued dully.

Bell smiled like the cat who had caught its rat, "Do you think everything can be solved with just a casual apology?"

"What?" Alpha Solomon's eyes widened, "I've already apologized!"

"Surely you're not so naïve to believe that a "sorry" would be able to solve everything?" Bell shrugged, "I was very offended by the violation of our rights, and the disrespect towards not just myself and my princess, but the packs we represented."

"Ah, no. I understand." Alpha Solomon nodded, "I've brought gifts."

"Oh?" Bell asked lightly.

"Yes, as you must know, our funds are currently tied up right now." Alpha Solomon gave Bell a meaningful look, "BUT to show my sincerity, I've brought several artifacts from our vault, of which you may choose two, one for yourself and one for your princess."

"Only two?" Bell asked, looking completely unimpressed.

Alpha Solomon sighed and shifted in his seat, "We'll have them brought in, you will see they are not trifle trinkets."

{So fun!} I raised my hand, "I wanna choose first!"

And then Boo had a better idea, "Give us three items, Alpha Solomon. But neither Bell nor I would choose."

"Let's play a game. I have a little human sister. She's in kindergarten." I gave Alpha Solomon my most winning smile, "If we let the child choose, can we have three items? Of course, you may mix in any number of other less valuable items, since it's a game."

"A human girl for a sister?" Alpha Solomon raised a brow at Dad now, "Kingsley, you never fail to surprise me."

Dapper Dad smiled ruefully, "Sometimes I even surprise myself."

Alpha Solomon laughed, "Very well. Let's play this game. Give me a moment to instruct my men and prepare the items."

Alpha Solomon was really too keen to play. Perhaps he felt this was his chance to not have to part with anything priceless.

"Is this really alright?" Trevor worried. He glanced at Bell, "And you? You do not mind? The treasures Alpha Solomon is offering you are priceless."

It was straight after he asked this, that I noticed how Trevor looked straight into Bell's eyes as if trying to read Bell. I remembered how they had been friends for a long time. Trevor must know what kind of guy Bell was!

Bell smirked, "I think, my friend, that you are right. I must be growing soft. Since my princess likes to play, I'll let her play."

And then Bell smiled his beautiful smile at me, "But of whichever three treasures your sister picks, the most valuable will be mine."

Boo smiled at her beautiful mate, "What's mine is yours, but what's yours is also mine."

I leaned back on the sofa, "Ben, can you get Mum to bring Sabre over? I want her to pick her mating gift."

And because Boo was just daring like that, she had to add for Dad's benefit, "I know she's only 6, but in a blink of an eye, she'll be 45."