Page 16 of Bite for Sore Eyes

Torren stepped slightly forward, his stance mirroring Rath's protective posture. "Lana is my fated mate and Rath's fated mate."

The silence stretched for exactly three heartbeats before Rosie's weathered face split into a delighted grin. "Well, I'll be blessed by both suns. That's extraordinarily rare, but..." Her gaze shifted between the three of them, taking in their natural positioning and the way they unconsciously moved as a unit. "It makes perfect sense for you two. You've been joined at the hip since you were five years old, running around causing trouble in every which way."

Lana's face lit up with genuine pleasure. "Rosie, you'll need to share some of those stories with me later."

"Of course, dear. I'd be absolutely delighted to." Rosie's expression softened with maternal warmth as she studied Lana more carefully. "Now then, what can I get for you today? Are you feeling adventurous, or would you prefer something familiar?"

"What's your specialty?" Lana asked, leaning forward with the same focused curiosity she'd shown throughout their castle tour.

Rosie's chest puffed with obvious pride. "My signature roasted chicken sandwich—a chicken breast layered with aged cheese, crisp vegetables from my own garden, and a sauce that's been in my family for four generations. All served on bread I bake fresh every morning."

Lana's eyes widened with unmistakable hunger. "That sounds delicious. I'll take one of those."

"Make that two," Rath interjected smoothly, already reaching for the credits in his jacket pocket.

"Make that three," Torren added with a grin.

Rosie beamed at them as though the triad mate bond was the most natural thing in the world, and Rath felt a knot of tension he hadn't realized he'd been carrying begin to loosen. If Rosie—who'd known them since childhood and commanded respect throughout the territory—could accept their unusual situation so readily, perhaps the rest of his people would follow suit. Perhaps this wouldn't destabilize everything he'd spent fifteen years building.

"I'll have those ready in just a few minutes," Rosie promised, already bustling toward her cooking area. "Go find yourselves a comfortable spot."

Rath nodded and turned toward the outdoor seating area, a collection of sturdy wooden tables arranged beneath colorful fabric canopies that provided relief from the twin suns' intensity. Most of the tables were occupied by sleuth members enjoying their midday meals, and he could feel their attention turning toward his group as they moved through the space. His bear bristled at the scrutiny, territorial instincts demanding he shield their mate, but his human mind recognized the looks for what they were: natural curiosity rather than hostility.

He selected a table positioned strategically near the seating area's edge, close enough to the other diners to demonstrate confidence in their situation while far enough away to allow for private conversation. The wooden chairs scraped softly against the stone flooring as they settled themselves, Lana naturally positioning herself between him and Torren.

"So," Lana began, her brown eyes moving between them with obvious interest, "how long have you two been Alphas? And how exactly does the dual leadership structure work?"

Rath glanced toward Torren, catching his co-Alpha's subtle nod of encouragement. They'd developed this silent communication system over years of shared leadership, each instinctively knowing when the other should take point on different situations.

Before he could respond, Rosie appeared beside their table, setting down three plates laden with sandwiches that looked every bit as appetizing as she'd promised.

"Enjoy, dears," she said with a maternal pat on Lana's shoulder before bustling back toward her stall.

Torren and Lana bit into their sandwiches simultaneously, and Rath watched their faces transform with pleasure at the flavors. The sight of Lana's genuine enjoyment sent satisfaction through him—another small success in making her feel welcome in his world.

"Well, I became Alpha when I was twenty," Rath finally said, his voice taking on a measured tone. "Right after my parents died in a mountain climbing accident during what should have been a routine survey of our northern border."

Lana's expression immediately softened with sympathy. "I'm so sorry for your loss."

The simple sincerity in her voice touched something deep in his chest. "Thank you. That means more than you know." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "The council worried that twenty was too young to handle leadership alone, especially while I was still processing the grief. They suggested I appoint a co-Alpha to provide stability and support. So I chose Torren immediately," he continued, meeting his best friend's eyes across the table. "There was no one else I trusted more."

Torren picked up the narrative seamlessly. "For the past fifteen years, we've led this sleuth together in every sense of the word. We strategize together, solve problems together, defend our territory together. Everything is built on compromise and complete trust."

Lana's face glowed with obvious admiration. "That's really remarkable. I can already see how solid you two are together, how strong your relationship is. It's admirable and refreshing to see⁠—"

Her sandwich tumbled from suddenly nerveless fingers, hitting the table with a soft thud, and her breathing became shallow and rapid. Her face drained of color so quickly that Rath's bear roared to immediate alertness. Rath and Torren reached for her simultaneously, their chairs scraping back as they leaned forward. Rath's hand found her shoulder while Torren grasped her arm, their protective instincts overriding everything else.

"Are you okay?" Rath demanded, his voice sharp with concern. "What's happening?"

Torren's grip tightened on her arm. "I think we should get her to the medical facility immediately."

But Lana was already shaking her head, her breathing gradually evening out as she took deliberate, measured breaths. The practiced nature of her response sent alarm bells ringing through Rath's mind—this wasn't the first time she'd experienced whatever had just happened.

"I'm fine," she said, though her voice carried a breathless quality that contradicted her words. "I don't need medical attention. I'm just... overwhelmed by everything today."

Rath's mind immediately shifted into self-recrimination mode. Of course she was overwhelmed—they'd pushed her too hard, too fast. In the span of a single day, she'd traveled through a wormhole portal, met her fated mates, explored an alien castle, and now toured their territory. That would be exhausting for anyone, let alone someone adjusting to an entirely new world.

"We should get you back to the castle so you can rest," Torren said, his voice gentle but firm. "And maybe you should postpone the moonlight hike for another day."