Adam's eyes became amused.
"Are you excited, Max?"
Maxwell laughed.
"Does she know she's marrying the Alpha?"
"No. I'm going to play with her a bit before I introduce myself."
"Wouldn't she recognize the Alpha, being a Luna?"
"She's only seventeen, brother. She doesn't even know the difference between a man and a werewolf."
"You're going to try to win over a girl who still stinks of milk? Brother... What happened to you?"
"She joined an internship program at one of our companies. Maybe I'll try to win her over, but I'd like her to feel hatred and desire. Those are feelings that make a good combination."
"Be careful, Adam. She's not just any woman. You could fall in love with her while you're playing with the girl. According to the werewolf stories, the Alphas are drawn to the Lunas in an... irreversibly. I wouldn't like to see a werewolf turned into a pet puppy..."
"I'd love to see a woman do that to me, Max..."
Max detected the tone of amusement in his brother's voice.
"I want to follow this story... Maybe I'll go someday and enjoy it up close."
"It won't be the same without you."
The two of them talked for a while and agreed on a time when he would talk to Ian.
Maxwell hung up his cell phone with the impression that Adam had finally given up on Anna. He couldn't tell if he liked that. Having Adam's object of desire in his hands made his relationship with Anna all the more exciting. And Adam seemed to have completely forgotten about Anna. He was as excited about Luna as he had ever been about his brother with another woman.
He stood up when he heard the light rustle of Jasmine's approaching footsteps, and put his hands in his trouser pockets.
Jasmine came up next and looked at him worriedly.
"You mustn't play with your brother, Max."
"Mom, I told you not to spy on me, right?"
"You called me, remember? I can't control my hearing."
"Not wanting to control it is different from not being able to, Jasmine."
Jasmine smiled.
"Leave Adam alone, Maxwell, or one day, he'll kill you. I sensed from the way you spoke that you've already decided to play with Adam's Luna."
Maxwell looked at her thoughtfully.
"I'd like him to do that. Kill me." Maxwell said and looked away to the window. "Me and Adam... We're both freaks. We shouldn't exist."
"Don't talk nonsense. Vampires and werewolves have existed since the dawn of the world. You're not responsible for that."
Maxwell turned his dark eyes on Jasmine.
"It's time for your talk with Anna."
Jasmine realized that he no longer wished to talk about his feelings.
"What do you want her to know?"
"Everything. Don't omit anything. Anna is my wife, and I don't wish to keep secrets from her."
"Should I talk about Luna, too?"
Maxwell thought for a few seconds.
"Yes. But don't say she's destined for the Alpha. I'm going to surprise her."
Jasmine shook her head in annoyance.
"Dude, son! Don't go looking for trouble. You'll have the chance to be happy now, without your brother's interruption. Adam is no longer a menacing shadow that haunts you night and day. Leave it at that."
Maxwell looked impatiently at Jasmine.
"Go on, Mom, ask the nannies to bring my children. I'll look after the children. I need to talk to Ian alone."
"What about my conversation with your wife..."
"Don't get so excited, Jasmine. I'll listen to every word. I'll let you know the right time to talk to her."
...
Anna had lunch with the children, Maxwell and Jasmine, and although she looked intently at her children and seemed to listen to everything they said without pause, Maxwell realized that her thoughts were far away. He made an almost imperceptible sign to his mother and she understood. They needed to let Anna assimilate her new reality before approaching her with more information. In his mind, Maxwell said the words, short but concise.
"After dinner."
Jasmine nodded that she understood and they listened to the children's adventures that day, without interrupting them.
They finished lunch and when the children were leaving to get ready for nursery, Maxwell asked Ian to stay at home that day.
Donald and David were outraged and also wanted to stay at home, but Maxwell was firm and wouldn't allow it.
Maxwell took Ian to the library and the boy went quietly until Maxwell closed the door.
"Is Uncle Adam going to talk to me?"
"Yes, my son. He'll call in a few minutes."
Ian closed his eyes.
"I want my brothers to be present. I want them to know everything. I don't like secrets, Dad. Uncle Adam and you are brothers, would you live happily if you had to keep a secret from him?"
Maxwell remembered that his marriage to Anna, and the existence of Ian himself, had been a secret between him and Adam for some years, and Ian had been right. Not good.
"Soon, you'll be able to invite your brothers to take part in your conversations, but you'll need to ask Adam if he'll accept that."
Ian's face softened.
"I'll ask him, Dad."
Adam made the call and the two talked. Maxwell realized that Adam was in his office at the tanker company in Alaska, and that he and Ian were enjoying themselves together without reservation. He was happy with the chemistry between Adam and his son. He loved Ian even more for having so many similarities with Adam. Similarities that they both didn't realize.
Just before the conversation ended, Anna knocked on the door, wanting to come in, but Adam noticed and immediately said goodbye. By the time Anna got them to open the door for her, the call had ended.
Maxwell saw the hurt in her eyes when he explained that she couldn't take part in these conversations, but she resigned herself to it and went to her room, where she stayed and didn't come down for dinner.
Once dinner was over, Maxwell went to put his children to bed and left Jasmine alone, with the obligation of talking to Anna.