“Thank you,” I say.
“What about me?” asks Macy from behind me. “Don’t I get a greeting from my own mother?”
Linda rolls her eyes and pulls Macy into a hug. “Welcome home to you too, dear.” Her gaze returns to me. “Would you like me to heat up some dinner for you and your…” Her eyes dart to Ollie. “Guest?”
Time for trial run.
I plaster a smile on my face and rest my hand on Ollie’s lower back. “Linda, I’d like to introduce you to your new Alpha Mate. This is Ollie.”
Her mouth forms an ‘O’ of surprise. “But…”
“He’s male?” I say, forcing my smile to stay in place. “Yes, I’m aware.”
Her brow furrows. “I see that,” she says slowly. “What I was trying to say was, but you’ve only been gone for a week or so.”
“Ollie and I are fated mates,” I say, nonplussed. “So, you don’t have a problem with the fact my mate’s a guy?”
Linda blinks at me. “Why would I?”
“He’s expecting torches and pitchforks,” says Macy in a dry voice.
Linda frowns. “Some of the older pack members might grumble about it, but the rest of the pack—myself included—won’t care as long as you’re happy. I know Randall and his ilk would have taken an issue with your mating a male, butyou’reour Alpha now.”
“But I’m not Randall’s biological son,” I blurt out, slightly panicked for a reason I don’t understand.
Beside me Macy face palms and lets out a long sigh.
Linda reaches toward me, hesitates for a second, then places her hand on my shoulder. “I already know that. I’m pretty sure half the pack does. Nobody cares. Especially not after all you’ve done for us since taking over.”
“Really?” I ask, almost squeaking the word.
Linda laughs. “Of course, you silly boy. Did you really think anyone who matters cares that asshole was not your real father?”
“John cares,” I say.
“Yes, and that’s one of the reasons I left him. I’ve been living with Macy for almost a year now.”
My head swivels toward my second. “And you neglected to mention this?”
“I’m pretty sure I did,” she replies. “You just weren’t paying attention.”
“Oh, well…” I stammer. “I’m happy to have your support?”
“And I’m happy to give it.” She pats my arm. “I’m going to go heat something up for you all to eat.”
I gently take hold of her arm, stopping her. “Thank you, Linda. Really.”
“You’re welcome,” she says, face softening. “But no thanks are needed.”
Linda continues on to the kitchen and whips up meat loaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans like some sort of magic trick, then calls us to the table. She accepts my invitation to eat with us, making a plate for herself and taking the seat next to Macy.
As we eat, we regale her with the story of our journey from Smyrna to Madison to Rockcastle. And everything in between.
“To tell the truth, Luke’s actual father wasn’t any prize either,” says Macy when the subject of Randall comes up again.
“Neither was his brother,” says Ollie. “He even tasted bad.”
“You won’t hear any arguments from me,” I say, leaning back in my chair. “I’d just as well never see anyone from Rockcastle again.”
