Tegan nodded, her eyes flicking toward the tree where Liam had just been. “He’s asking more questions, you know. If he stays in Ravenholde too long, he will figure things out. He is too close to this.”
“I know,” I said, my voice tight. “But we’ll handle it. One thing at a time.”
The door creaked open, and Liam returned, holding the bag I’d requested. “Got it,” he said, his easy grin cutting through the tension like a warm breeze. “What’s next?”
I smiled, taking the bag from him and pretending everything was fine. “Next? We figure out how to top that tree with something that won’t fall over.”
The others played along, their laughter mixing with Liam’s as the conversation shifted back to decorations. Butunderneath the cheer, the reality of what we were facing loomed around me.
Liam adjusted an ornament on the tree, his back to me as he spoke casually, like he was asking for something as simple as extra gravy at dinner. “I’ve been thinking, Mom. I want to have dinner with my grandfather.”
I froze, halfway through untangling a string of lights we’d brought back with us. “What?” I asked, my voice a little sharper than I intended.
He turned, his expression earnest and open. “Carnell. I’ve never had a relationship with him, and now that you’ve rekindled yours… I don’t know. I feel like I should get to know him, too.”
My stomach sank like a lead weight. This was going to be a disaster. Liam didn’t know the truth—he didn’t know that the man he thought was his grandfather had a few extra “greats” attached to the title. And I intended to keep it that way. Carnell barely looked older than me, thanks to his immortality. Dinner with him would be like tossing Liam into a den of wolves—wolves that smiled and didn’t age.
“I don’t think that’s such a great idea,” I said carefully, placing the lights on the desk and crossing my arms.
Liam frowned, his eyes narrowing. “Why not? You’ve been spending time with him. Why shouldn’t I?”
I hesitated, trying to come up with a reason that didn’t involve blowing the lid off the supernatural world for my son. “It’s… complicated,” I said finally, wincing at how weak it sounded even to me.
Liam stepped closer, his voice softening but still insistent. “Mom, come on. He’s my family, too. I know you’re protective, but I’m not asking for much. Just one dinner.”
I rubbed the back of my neck, glancing away. He wasn’t going to drop this, and I knew it. The earnest look in hiseyes, the way he stood there waiting for me to give him a chance. It was impossible to ignore.
“Fine,” I said, sighing heavily. “I’ll talk to Carnell. But he isn’t what you expect. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Liam grinned, his excitement palpable. “I won’t, I promise. Thanks, Mom.”
I forced a smile, though inside, my mind was already spinning. I’d have to prep Carnell for this and ensure he didn’t let anything slip. One dinner. How bad could it be?
As Liam turned back to the tree, humming to himself, I felt a pang of guilt twist in my chest. He had no idea what he was asking for—or who Carnell really was. And keeping him in the dark was getting harder by the minute.
The last garlands were hung, the room softly glowing with a mix of twinkling lights and candles. Nishi had gone upstairs to train with the hunters, her determined energy filling the halls as she climbed the stairs. Salima, ever the healer, had been called away by the council to tend to a young warlock. A reminder that even on nights like these, duty always found us. Tegan had left earlier, off to spend the evening with Kacey. She deserved that peace, that quiet connection, before the chaos resumed. Aurora and Eve had left, their goodbyes tinged with purpose as they prepared to track Krampus back at the pack.
And me? I was left standing in the silence of Black Bounty, staring at the soft glow of our efforts. For a moment, I let myself think it was worth it.
Carnell had agreed to coordinate efforts to find Krampus while we took Liam to dinner, though not without warning me that Cal would be there. They’d been waiting for this day. The concern settled in my chest, heavy and unavoidable, despite Carnell’s assurances to “quit worrying so much.”
Liam and I left not long after Eve and Aurora. I grabbed my coat, checked the time, and resisted the urge to call offthe whole thing. Liam was excited, chatting about the restaurant Carnell had suggested—an Italian place just far enough out of the way to promise a quiet evening. I was grateful for that. No surprises tonight.
The drive was uneventful, Liam flipping through his phone while I kept my eyes on the road, trying to ignore the knot in my stomach. When we arrived, the place was warm and inviting, the kind of restaurant that hadn’t changed in decades because it didn’t need to. Carnell had chosen well. I could hear soft laughter from a corner table as we stepped inside, the scent of garlic and fresh bread wrapping around us like a comforting hug.
They were already waiting. As we approached, two figures stood—Carnell, his familiar, steady presence grounding me, and Cal, who pulled my chair out with a smile equal parts charming and disarming. “It’s good to see you,” he said, his voice carrying that unspoken history. I nodded, murmuring my thanks as I slid into the seat.
“This is my son, Liam,” I said, gesturing to him as he sat across from me.
Carnell’s face softened immediately, and Cal extended a hand. “Liam,” Carnell said warmly. “We’ve heard a lot about you.”
Liam grinned, a mix of pride and curiosity lighting up his features. “Good things, I hope,” he said, shaking Cal’s hand. I could see it—the way he leaned into the moment, maybe without even realizing it. I’d hoped that Max’s presence in his life had filled the void left by his father, but seeing the way Liam looked at Carnell… made me wonder. Had I been wrong about keeping him from my family?
The meal started pleasantly enough. Plates of antipasto arrived, followed by bowls of pasta and fresh bread. Liam asked questions, his natural charm breaking through the initial awkwardness. “What was Mom like as a kid?” heasked, leaning forward with that boyish grin that always made me smile.
Carnell chuckled, shaking his head. “A troublemaker,” he said, raising an eyebrow at me. “She’d climb anything that looked remotely like a ladder and always had a smart remark ready for anyone who thought they could boss her around.”
Liam laughed, turning to me. “Yeah, that sounds about right.”
