“Dean explained it to you, didn’t he?Why are you being a brat?”
“I’m just trying to understand what we’re about to walk in on.”
He stared at the car in front of the one he was in.He’d left his spot to Dean, who’d climbed in with their grandmother.Their parents were also in the car, which meant that it was full and that Mackenzie was stuck with Peter and his wife.
That was okay.It gave him a moment to breathe, and yes, to be a brat.
None of them knew what they would be walking in on.He didn’t like that Dean had felt they needed a neutral place for their family reunion, but Dean knew what he was doing.He was the only one of them who knew these people, and Mackenzie trusted him.He just didn’t feel it boded well for their presence here.It made it sound like most people weren’t happy to have them in the forest.They could leave since they weren’t shifters, but Mackenzie knew his family.They wouldn’t be going anywhere, not until they were ready, and if someone tried to get them to leave, they’d dig their heels in just to be contrary.
“I think it was smart,” Brooke said.“Besides, Dean knows these people, and we don’t.If he thinks it’s necessary, then it probably is.”
“Which you can’t deny is kind of worrying,” Mackenzie pointed out.
“Can we not?”Peter asked.“Worrying about this won’t help any of us.You’re just making Brooke and me nervous, and that’s the last thing we need.”
Mackenzie pressed his lips together.He didn’t want to worry his family.He was sure that Dean wouldn’t have let them come if it was too dangerous, but that didn’t mean they shouldn’t be concerned.Clearly, though, Mackenzie’s family didn’t want to know that he was, so he’d stop over-sharing his feelings.
He hoped he was wrong.He hoped that everyone would welcome them with open arms, that their grandmother would finally see her brother again, that they could have a nice visit, and that everyone would be happy.
Something told him things would be a little more complicated than that.
He was grateful when they finally entered what had to be badger territory.The guards waved them through, and they soon parked in front of a house.The door opened almost instantly, as if the man who stepped out had been waiting for them.He was in his late fifties, maybe slightly older, and he was smiling.It helped Mackenzie relax.Hopefully, it meant that they were welcome here and that whatever was about to happen wouldn’t be a disaster.
Dean jumped out of the car he was in, then turned and helped their grandmother.She wrapped an arm around his, and he guided her toward the house as Mackenzie and the others joined them.Mackenzie wasn’t sure what to think yet, but the man waiting for them was still smiling.
“Welcome,” he said, looking at every member of Dean’s family in turn.
“Thank you for allowing us to visit,” Mackenzie’s father said, shaking the man’s hand.“I’m John, Dean’s father, and this is my wife, Samantha.”
“I’m Thomas, the badger alpha.It’s a pleasure to have you here.Your family has already arrived and is waiting for you in the living room.”
Mackenzie hesitated, but he was the only one.While his parents glanced at each other, they moved easily, and his grandmother looked more than ready to get this over with.
Thomas looked at Dean.“Jasper has arrived, too.”
Mackenzie knew that name.It was mentioned in every conversation he had with Dean, be it on the phone or by text.“Oh, Jasper?Your best friend?”Mackenzie teased, knocking his shoulder against Dean’s, sure he’d get a reaction out of his brother.
Dean narrowed his eyes at him.“I asked him to be here so he could meet you.”
Mackenzie slapped his hands together.“What are we waiting for, then?”He was still wary, but this was too good.Besides, Dean wouldn’t lead them into trouble.He trusted these people, and maybe Mackenzie should, too.
Thomas led the way inside, and everyone followed.They ended up in a living room, and everyone inside stopped talking when they walked in.Mackenzie’s grandmother suddenly stopped moving, her attention on an older man who was sitting on one of the couches but was already getting up.The two of them stared at each other.
Mackenzie’s grandmother moved forward.
“Peggy?”the man asked, his voice trembling.
Mackenzie pressed his lips together.He hadn’t expected to feel so emotional, but he could imagine how his grandmother felt.He was close to both his brothers, but especially to Dean, and it would have been hell to be separated from him for something he couldn’t help.
“Don’t tell me you don’t recognize me,” Mackenzie’s grandmother teased.
It reminded Mackenzie of the way he and Dean teased each other.It was almost like Mackenzie’s grandma and her brother had never been separated.
Bellamy opened his arms, and Mackenzie’s grandmother sobbed as she hugged him.Mackenzie didn’t want to cry, but it was a close thing.
Things went smoothly after that, as if their reunion had broken the ice for everyone in the room.They were introduced to each other, and for some reason, Mackenzie was surprised to realize that he had a whole family he hadn’t known about.Bellamy had built himself a life in the forest.He’d had kids and grandkids.
Mackenzie ended up talking to his cousin—a cousin he hadn’t known he had until now—Galen, who apparently was the future fox shifter alpha.That was going to take some time to get used to, and Mackenzie could see that Galen was a bit wary, too, but they were family.Mackenzie was sure they’d find a way to make it work.
