Gavin swiped a hand down his face. “I agree with the elders that we should prepare the next few Alpha Protectors due to mate that they should be aware to look out for possible traits no one can predict. That way they won’t be blindsided, and they’ll be able to handle the shock smoother than I did.”
Felix chuckled. “I was so stunned the first few times Khloe’s entire face went blank as she had a vision that I thought I would lose my mind.”
Damon set his elbows on the table. “At least you had one example in Olivia. I had nothing. I nearly died when I first saw her standing so close to Surge and Thorn. Hell, we didn’t even know the bear shifters’ names yet.”
Gavin nodded. “I’ll speak with Hayes, Jayce, and Isaac when I get home. Hell, I owe them big time for jumping in to help me out on such short notice. Hopefully I’ll be able to repay the favor one day.”
Gavin hadn’t mentioned to Molly that a dozen Alpha Protectors had descended on their house the moment the two of them left earlier. It was a surprise. One he was certain she would appreciate.
Elias leaned back in his chair. “I spoke to Hayes a few days ago. His mate comes of age in a few months. He’s been ready for her for years. The man is always tweaking his nursery.”
Gavin chuckled. “He did get an early start. She’s going to be one very lucky Little girl. He’s been devoted to her for a long time from a great distance.”
Brock laughed and gave Arion a shove next to him. “No Alpha Protector in the history of Alphas has ever been as prepared as this man.”
“Hardy har har,” Arion responded, but he was grinning. He didn’t give a fuck that everyone knew he’d watched his mate from a distance most of her life. He’d been obsessed and devoted to her long before she’d come of age.
Most of the Alpha Protectors didn’t allow themselves to become overly invested in their mates until close to the claiming ceremony. For one thing, it was frowned upon for them to know too much ahead of time. They were also deeply discouraged from making contact in any form. But occasionally some Alphas knew more than others about their mates.
Brock sighed. “Too bad there’s no way to get a head’s up about these random powers. It would be a lot easier on upcoming Alphas if they were prepared and not blindsided.”
Gavin nodded. “That’s for sure. I’d give anything to have that kind of hindsight. When Molly started covering her ears and telling me it was too loud, I was in a panic. But I freaked the fuck out entirely when she slid under the water in the bathtub and held her breath over and over. I had no idea what the hell was going on. She was trying to avoid the noises.”
Everyone cringed.
“That would have caused me to pull my hair out,” Brock muttered.
A serious thought came to mind, and Gavin needed to address it. “If Molly can hear the bears communicating with each other from a great distance, she can easily hear any conversation between any two Alpha Protectors on this section of the mountain, including meetings with the elders.”
Everyone nodded slowly.
Felix ran a hand through his hair. “I’ve had the same concerns with regard to Khloe knowing the possible movements among our people. I spoke with the elders about this issue a few weeks ago. I’ll make them aware of Molly’s abilities, too, but the reality is the elders recognize the importance of these newfound powers among our mates. They aren’t concerned about secret meetings, nor do they have any interest in keeping information from any of us. If something comes up in the future that worries them, they will address it with us then.”
Gavin nodded. “Thank you. I’m sure they will reach out if they have any specific questions.”
Felix pushed his chair back and stood. “Guess we better get some lunch ready for the Littles. When they get hungry, their naughty sides will come out, and they’ll start plotting against us.”
Gavin rose. “I shudder to think what we’ll be up against as there are more and more of them. The shenanigans will get out of control.”
Arion rubbed his hands together. “Collective spankings. Imagine the volume in the room if we have to spank six naughty girls all at once.”
Gavin winced. He would have to take Molly out of any situation like that. Either that or plug her ears beforehand. Other people’s sniffling and crying would be too much for her to handle.
Chapter Seventeen
“Are you having trouble tuning out the Daddies?” Khloe asked Molly.
Molly turned toward her new friend, realizing she was covering her ears. She lowered her hands. “I’m getting better at focusing on specific people, but yes, it’s hard. They’ve had some of the elders on speakerphone, too. So there are ten voices in the kitchen.”
It was almost more than Molly could tolerate. She was growing exhausted. She didn’t want to listen in on the men, but it was so hard to tune them out. It was like being in a room with dozens of conversations and trying to decide which one to focus on. But all of them were loud.
Molly was surprised when it was Olivia who leaned into the middle of the Littles to say, “Let’s plot something naughty. It will take Molly’s mind off the men. Besides, we need to initiate her.”
Everyone giggled.
Before Molly had arrived here today, she would have panicked at this suggestion, but Gavin had assured her it was okay for her to join in the shenanigans, so she was far calmer about the idea. “What kinds of things do you guys do to get into trouble?”
“Well,” Jezebel said, “the last time we were together…”
