“Really? Never?” asked Henri, his mood lifting.
“Nope…but I’m keen on trying it,” Alex said.
“I think I still have your father’s fishing gear you could use,” replied Henri.
Crossing his hands together over his heart, Alex grinned in delight. “That would be awesome. Would you mind if my mates came along too?”
“Do they fish?” asked Henri.
Shrugging his shoulders, Alex replied, “Don’t know but I’m sure they’ll learn fast.”
Glancing at the two men standing behind the SUV, Henri said, “I think that sounds like a great idea…it’ll give us an opportunity to get to know each other better.” His eyes lingered on them for a moment before turning back to his grandson. “I also kept all of Jean-Luc’s belongings…at least whatever he didn’t take with him…that you can have. It’s mainly books…”
Giving a whoop of joy, Alex grabbed his grandfather’s hand. “That’s…oh my gods…I love reading…it’s what I spent my summers doing. And to read my father’s favorite books…well, that is absolutely the best thing ever…well, after meeting my mates and finding out I have a brother and a grandfather.”
Chuckling, Henri said, “Glad I’m included in the ‘best things ever’ list.”
“You most definitely are,” Alex said emphatically. “Less than a month ago, I thought I was all alone…without any family but then I met my mates and found out I have a brother. That’s why we came to France…to meet him. Fionn’s actually my half-brother, but I was hoping he could tell me more about my other father. I was ecstatic about that but I knew Fionn didn’t know my omega father. But then the Fates gave me you…someone who can tell me about Jean-Luc.”
“Fionn MacDùghlas?” Henri asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
“Yup…you know him?”
Shaking his head slowly, Henri murmured, “I met him once.”
“He’s mated to Hunter, my mate’s brother,” Alex explained. “I was worried he wouldn’t want to see me…”
“…because he’d be worried you’d want part of his father’s hoard?” Frowning, Henri’s protectiveness surged forward as his fox snarled at his grandson’s revelation about Fionn.
Alex’s eyes grew round. “No, no…Artur MacDùghlas set up a trust fund for me. I was more worried about Fionn resenting Jean-Luc’s role in Artur’s life. Sawyer told me if Fionn didn’t like me, then we’d leave the Blackwood Pack and live by ourselves.”
“I’m guessing you worried for nothing since here you are,” Henri smiled, gently.
“I guess…but I’m still nervous,” Alex murmured, more to himself than to his grandfather.
“Fionn’s mate is your mate’s brother…did I get that right?” asked Henri.
“Yeah…Hunter and Sawyer are brothers.”
“Is Sawyer worried about the meeting?”
“No…he keeps telling me it will be fine.”
“Has he given you any reason to doubt him?” asked Henri.
“Not at all,” Alex said, shaking his head.
“Then I don’t think you have any reason to be nervous.”
Biting his lower lip, Alex knew his grandfather made a good point, but it still didn’t settle the butterflies in his stomach. After spending a few days with Sawyer’s other brothers and his cousins at the Blackwood Pack house, he’d finally found a family, satisfying his life-long, deep yearning. And there was nothing more he yearned for than to have his cub grow up with his uncles and cousins.
Henri watched his grandson’s expressive face as it gave away the true cause of Alex’s anxiety. Deciding to address the issue head on, he asked, “Does Fionn know you are pregnant?”
