Oops… I Went Into Heat and My Alpha Daddies Claimed Me

Callum’s POV

I was still in the hall when one of the estate messengers came hurrying through the doors, stopping a few feet away from me with his head lowered. "Alpha, I’m sorry to interrupt, but there are visitors waiting for you at the mansion."

I frowned and gathered the papers on the table. "Visitors? Who?"

"He didn’t give me their names, sir. He only said they were waiting inside."

I sighed and walked out to see Dane lingering around, talking to a guard. "Come with me. If someone has come to my house without warning, I’d rather know exactly who I’m dealing with."

Dane followed without asking questions, and by the time we reached the mansion, I was already wondering whether the visit had anything to do with the problems I’d been dealing with all afternoon. I stepped through the entrance and immediately spotted Lyra standing in the sitting room with two men I’d never seen before.

Keisha was beside her, and the smile on her face told me immediately that whatever had brought them here wasn’t bad news.

She turned when she heard me enter. "You’re finally back."

I walked toward her, taking her hand before looking at the people she’d brought with her. "You didn’t tell me we were expecting guests."

She smiled, almost sheepishly. "I didn’t know until they arrived either."

Lyra stepped forward before Keisha could say anything else. "Uncle Callum, this is Daniel."

The young man beside her straightened immediately. "Good afternoon, sir."

I looked him over before offering my hand. "Daniel."

He shook it respectfully. "It’s good to meet you, sir."

Lyra’s smile widened. "And this is Uncle Klein. You remember him."

My attention shifted.

Klein.

So this was the man who had recently appeared in Keisha’s life, the man who had apparently been sending her information and had somehow managed to know things happening inside my estate before I did. I studied him for a moment before extending my hand. "Klein."

He accepted it. "Callum."

Our handshake lasted longer than necessary, neither of us making a point of being the first to let go. I watched his face carefully, but he remained composed.

"I’ve heard quite a bit about you," I said.

His mouth curved slightly. "I could say the same about you."

Keisha glanced between us. "Are you two going to stand there staring at each other all afternoon?"

I finally released his hand. "Perhaps not."

She stepped closer and slipped her hand into mine, looking entirely too pleased with herself. I leaned down and kissed her briefly before turning back toward our guests. Not like anyone except us was here. "Welcome. I wasn’t expecting any of you today, but you’re welcome here."

Lyra immediately smiled. "We thought we’d surprise you."

"You succeeded." I looked at Klein again. "And I assume you’re staying for the meal?"

Klein glanced at Lyra before answering. "If that isn’t an inconvenience."

"It isn’t." I turned toward Becca, who had just entered the room. "Becca, prepare enough food for everyone. Not the usual dinner. Make it a proper meal."

Her eyes widened slightly at the number of people. "Yes, Alpha."

She turned and immediately began giving instructions to the maids, sending some toward the kitchen while others went to retrieve additional dishes and utensils. Within minutes, the mansion had become busy with preparations.

We eventually gathered around the dining table, and I sat at the head with Keisha beside me. Lyra sat across from us, Daniel beside her, while Klein took the remaining seat. Dane remained nearby at first, but I eventually motioned for him to sit as well.

As everyone settled, I caught something that amused me. Dane and Lyra were staring at each other and neither of them said a word.

Lyra looked away first and Dane reached for his glass.

I hid the faint smile threatening to appear and turned my attention to Daniel. "So, Daniel."

He straightened slightly. "Yes, sir?"

"How long have you known Lyra?"

"We’ve known each other for a little over a year, sir." He replied.

I rested my arm against the chair. "And you’ve decided that you’re ready to marry her."

He glanced at Lyra before answering.. "Yes, sir."

I looked at him carefully. "What exactly makes you believe you’re ready for that responsibility?"

Daniel didn’t rush his answer. He seemed to understand that I wasn’t asking simply to intimidate him. "I care about her. I know that’s probably the simplest answer I could give, but it’s the truth. I’ve had enough time to know what she’s like when she’s happy and when she’s angry, when things are easy and when they’re difficult. I understand her and I want to be there for her on days when she’s not sure about herself."

Lyra lowered her eyes, smiling faintly and I looked back at him. "Do you have a family?"

He nodded. "Yes, sir. My parents are both alive. I have two younger sisters."

"And they know about Lyra?"

"Yes." He nodded.

"Do they approve?"I raised a brow.

He nodded. "They’ve met her several times. They like her very much."

I leaned back. "And what do you do?"

Daniel explained his work, his family and the plans he had for his future with Lyra. He answered every question without becoming defensive, and whenever I asked something personal, he gave me a straightforward response instead of trying to impress me.

By the time I finished, I had already made my decision.

I glanced at Lyra. "You chose well."

Her entire face brightened.. "Really?"

"Really. He’s respectful, he’s honest, and he didn’t spend the last half hour trying to convince me he’s perfect. That’s probably the first thing I like about him."

Daniel smiled. "Thank you, sir."

I nodded and picked up my glass.. "Then you have my approval."

Lyra immediately reached across the table and squeezed Keisha’s hand.

For years, I’d felt responsible for both girls because their father had left them behind, and there were times when I wondered whether I had done enough. I couldn’t give them back what they had lost. I couldn’t undo the years that had passed without him. But if I could make sure Lyra was choosing someone worthy of standing beside her, then at least I could do that much for the man who had once trusted me with his family.

I could do that much for her.