Oliver was led up the steps to the front door, all the while looking around at the other houses close to them. Though the ones he could see were of varying sizes, they were all well maintained and seemed to be middle to upper-middle-class dwellings, each with a fenced-in yard. The landscaping blended nicely with the surrounding forest to give both Ollie and his wolf the peaceful feeling of home.
Ollie let out a gasp as he was suddenly lifted off his feet and into Ronin's arms. When he met Ronin’s gaze, the alpha looked abashed. “I know in human custom, you carry your spouse over the threshold…”
Ollie’s eyes widened, but then he couldn’t help grinning as he leaned in and placed a kiss on Ronin’s cheek. All the while he was squeeing on the inside.
When they walked into the house, Ollie looked around and was totally surprised to see the house was beautifully decorated.
Not only that, there was a huge banner that said congratulations.
“I guess my brothers and my papa have been in here.” Ronin chuckled as he put Ollie on his feet.
“Feel free to look around; it’s your place now too.”
At Ronin’s words, Ollie turned to look at the alpha, whose eyes were wide as if he hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
“I mean, it’s where you’re staying... for now, like, until we figure out stuff… parents’ phone and... stuff.”
Ollie couldn’t help smiling. He actually kind of liked a flustered Ronin because he saw the man as just so unshakeable.
“I can get you some things to wear until we’re able to go into town—or online—and buy a few necessities. I know that Anton didn’t really give you many luxuries.”
“That’s an understatement.” Oliver shook his head, but managed to chuckle. “One thing I’m really looking forward to is a long, hot shower. That is, if you’re alright with that.”
Ronin laughed. “Of course! You don’t even have to ask.”
Standing there with Ronin, Ollie was hit with a sense of homecoming, like he was enveloped in a warm hug. It felt all too surreal and nearly brought him to his knees. He hurriedly flicked a tear away before Ronin could see it, but it was too late because Ronin had already looked in his direction.
“Are you crying?” Ronin asked, pulling Ollie into his arms. “Is everything alright? I don’t want to push you in anyway, so please stop me if I’m making you uncomfortable.”
“I’m sorry.” Ollie sniffed. He couldn’t help it, and Ronin probably thought he was crazy for apologizing, but Oliver looked up at him and smiled. “It may not seem like it,” he said, “but they’re happy tears. I promise.”
He continued to look at Ronin, but the alpha didn’t look convinced.
Ollie put his head on Ronin’s chest. “I’m fine. I swear,” Ollie sighed.
He looked around, a feeling of longing lodged in his chest. He wondered what his parents were doing in that particular moment. He couldn’t help heaving a sigh. He needed to call them.
“Do you have a phone I can use?” He leaned back so he could meet Ronin’s gaze.
Ronin nodded and dug his phone from his pocket and handed it to Ollie. There were no inquiries or questions as to whom Oliver wanted to call. He simply handed the phone over.
Oliver didn’t even ask, but Ronin dismissed himself.
“I’ll give you some time to be alone. If you want to sit down, you can go into the living room.” He motioned to a room just off the foyer, and Oliver nodded.
“Thank you,” Ollie said, and headed into the living room and took a seat on the couch. He had been waiting for the day he could call his parents, but he never thought the day would come. Anton had kept such a tight grip on them all that it was nearly impossible to get two steps away from him without him knowing you were up to something. It was part of the reason Oliver questioned if maybe Anton had allowed Devon to escape. It was a silly notion, but one that Oliver played around with sometimes.
Ollie took a deep breath and dialed his parents’ number.Pick up, pick up, pick up. He wanted them to answer, desperately, so he could just hear their voices. Instead, it went to his mother’s voicemail. “Hello, you have reached Vivian. Leave your name and number after the beep, and I’ll be sure to call you back. Have a great day.”
The voicemail seemed like it was just any other day. Oliver felt a thud in his chest. Did that mean they didn’t miss him?Shut up, Ollie… they love you.They miss you.He disconnected the call without leaving a message. It wasn’t exactly something he thought would go over well as a voicemail. He would have to try later.
Ollie got up and walked out of the living room. He attempted to put a brave smile on his face, but Ronin saw right through that. “They didn’t answer?” he asked.
Ollie glanced at him his eyes wide. “Who?”
Ronin chuckled. “You still don’t understand this connection, do you?” He smiled. “Your parents. You called them, right?”
“Oh yeah.” Oliver smiled sheepishly. “I guess it’s going to take some getting used to.”
