Damn this stupid prophecy!
“Let’s sleep on this,” Mom suggested calmly. “No one is being attacked. We’re safe for the time being. Can we all agree on that?”
Dan and Linda nodded, and obviously so did Dad and Eric. It seemed empty around the fire without North Pack’s leaders, but there was no use worrying about that now.
“Good,” Mom said. “I’d like to make a suggestion. With all the uncertainty in the air, I say we meet in two weeks time at the next half-moon. This gives Matheson time to confirm his pregnancy, and gives the rest of us an opportunity to strengthen our defenses against potential attack.”
Dan grimaced. “So, wearegonna fight these gryphons, huh?”
“I didn’t say that. We won’t go looking for a fight, but I’d rather be safe than sorry,” Mom said grimly.
“I agree,” Eric said. “We’ll be there.”
My parents approached me and Mom put a kind hand on my shoulder.
“Matheson, where will you be staying?” She smiled slightly. “I’m guessing since you have your mates now that you won’t be wanting to come home, at least not alone.”
My chest tightened. I didn’t want my parents to think I was abandoning them, but my mom was right. I didn’t want to be away from my mates.
“I’d like to stay with one of them for now,” I told her quietly.
“I understand.” She hugged me tight. “I’m proud of you, Matheson. I know this hasn’t been easy for you.”
I swallowed a whimper. I didn’t want her to see me looking pathetic. “Thanks, Mom.”
She pulled away, still smiling. “So. A baby, huh?”
I blushed. “Yeah.”
“It seems our son is all grown up,” Dad added with a chuckle.
I groaned. “You guys are embarrassing me…”
“We have to. We’re your parents,” Dad teased.
Mom narrowed her eyes at Ramsay, Colton and Eric. “If what Matheson said is true, and you’re all somehow the fathers, you’d better do a damn good job being parents.”
Ramsay straightened up. “Yes, ma’am!”
Colton nodded vigorously. “Yes, we will.”
“Trust me, Lady Lilian,” Eric said, his tone low as he took my mom’s hand. “I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life than taking care of Matheson and this baby.”
Mom slowly smiled at Eric. “Fine. Then I trust you to look after my son while he’s with you.” She looked back at me. “See you soon, Matheson.”
“Take care,” Dad added.
As they left, my spirits lightened up. I didn’t feel like I was being crushed by overwhelming dread anymore. Maybe it was because Mom had called the three alphas surrounding me mymates.
She knew. She supported me and my relationships. And that meant the world to me.
Ramsay said a quick goodbye to his parents, who left soon after. Then it was just the five of us again.
“Let’s get back to my place,” Eric suggested. “We need to decompress.”
“Is that code for sex?” Ramsay joked.
“Shut up and get the canoe.”
