Madelyn came over with a mug in one hand and delicate teacup in the other. Jono carefully took his tea, hands dwarfing the teacup. Patrick took his coffee from her with both hands.
“Cream and sugar?” Madelyn asked.
“Uh, just cream. Thanks,” Patrick said.
“Milk and sugar for me,” Jono said.
Madelyn smiled at them. “Coming right up.”
The coffee smelled good and tasted even better after a dollop of cream was poured into it. Patrick sipped at it carefully, half watching as his…cousins started setting up the long dining table by the window for brunch.
Eloise smoothed her hands over the soft-looking fabric of her dress pants, prim and poised in a way that made Patrick feel out of place. “Ethan was always a problem, and I regret very dearly that we couldn’t keep all of you safe before Clara tried to leave him.”
Patrick blinked at her. “She was going to leave him?”
“Divorce papers were drawn up,” Finley said quietly. “My sister didn’t trust him at the end. We told her we’d go as a family and a coven to move her out, but she was stubborn.”
“You wouldn’t know anything about being thick, Pat,” Jono muttered under his breath.
Patrick politely elbowed him in the side. “Fuck you, I’m a ray of sunshine.”
“Not before your alarm goes off. Or after, come to think of it.”
“I will throw out your tea when we get back home.”
“Got some right here, love.”
Jono raised his teacup to show it off before taking a large swallow. Patrick rolled his eyes, trying not to smile, but it was a lost cause. When he dragged his attention away from Jono, he found his uncles and his grandmother staring at him with varied expressions on their faces, but at least none of them looked disgusted. Two of the cousins were whispering in the corner and glancing over at them as well, but the smiles on their faces weren’t mocking.
“So you’re together?” Eloise asked, gaze flickering from Patrick to Jono. “Not just as alphas, but as a couple?”
“We’ve been together since last year. We’ve no plans to separate, no matter what happens,” Jono said.
“It’s good you have someone,” Finley said to Patrick. “I hope you know that you have us now as well.”
“It will take time, I know,” Eloise said when Patrick hesitated too long, smoothing over the awkward pause. “But weareyour family, Patrick. We would like to get to know you and—and your pack. We’d invite you into the coven if you would be comfortable with that in the future.”
Patrick stared at her. “Uh.”
“It’s a choice, not a requirement. You will still be family. Always.”
Strange to think he had that now outside his pack. He wasn’t quite sure it felt real—everyone in this home was a stranger to him, even though they looked like him in some ways. His track record with family was all with Ethan, and it was fucking terrible. Jono would be the first to tell him that side wasn’t family in any way that mattered.
Jono settled his hand on Patrick’s thigh, fingers pressed over the straps of his dagger’s sheath. “It’s not something you need to decide right now.”
Patrick nodded stiffly, glad to shove that decision off until later. Possibly way later.
Madelyn came over with a tentative smile on her face. “We’re ready for brunch. If you’d all like to come join us at the table?”
“Sure,” Patrick said.
“Did you get the pomegranates while you were at the store, Maddie?” Eloise asked as she was helped to her feet by Grant.
“Yes, a whole bagful. It’s nice that they’re back in season again.”
“Pomegranates? Are they for a salad?” Patrick asked as he stood, wondering what was on the menu.
Eloise smiled. “No, dear. They’re for the family’s altar. We worship the goddess Persephone in this home.”
