That explained Emeric’s big paws.
“The next Alpha?” Macy seemed more shocked than Emeric who was just studying Braun like he’d gone from a wolf to a bug. “Was that why my parents left?”
“I don’t know.” Before she could respond, Braun palmed Emeric’s face and tipped him backward, getting more giggles. “But I do know we’ve got a pup who’s going to be very big one day.”
There was too much we didn’t know, but it was time to iron out a few things we could figure out. So as Braun wrestled Emeric and kept him distracted, I focused on Macy. “When did Emeric’s mother leave?”
Frowning, she had to think for a moment. “A couple of months ago, I think. I didn’t think to ask about her until I realized my brother hadn’t mentioned her in a long time. He was cagy about it but said she was pissed and needed space. It sounded reasonable, so I dropped it.”
How?
As Emeric laughed and pretended to try to free himself from Braun, I mouthed “mates” but she shook her head.
Interesting.
But had she actually left?
It was sad to think about, but I was fairly certain they needed to search for her body somewhere on the pack grounds.
How had no one down there thought to tell someone in authority what was going on?
Why had Macy just ignored all of the strange things going on down there?
At the very least her scale of when to worry and when to point out problems was completely warped and I couldn’t help wondering if we had the ability to make her see a therapist too? I’d never run into anything like this and I knew Braun hadn’t either.
I still had a lot of questions, but it was clear Macy wasn’t in the right place in life to take care of Emeric no matter how polite she seemed. Sylvia seemed to be thinking the same thing because she finally sat down beside Macy and patted her knee. “It seems there’s a lot to still figure out, including Emeric’s Alpha status, which is probably a good reason for Emeric to stay with you and Braun, Dorian.”
Really?
She was just going to charge in on that one after being so quiet about everything else?
There was no way getting water had taken that long.
“Macy and I had a firm talk when she showed up about how flakes who like to shop don’t get to raise a teenager.” Sylviacompletely ignored the way Macy winced and just kept going. “We decided it would be best for Braun to take official custody and you guys will register that with the council as soon as everything is cleared up.”
That was it?
A few sighs and winces from Macy and everything was done?
“See?” Emeric threw his arms around Braun as soon as his Alpha sat him back up again. “I belong to you.”
“Of course you do.” Sounding all Alpha confident got more giggles from Emeric. “Dorian bought stuff for your room when we were out shopping. That means you have to stay.”
I was pretty sure it was the way he’d called Emeric his son earlier that did that, but if he wanted to blame it on me shopping, I was fine with that. “Don’t spoil my surprise.”
It was just a small figurine that reminded me of his wolf, but it was a good change of subject and kept Emeric distracted until we’d escaped and he was racing us back home. Or claiming he was going to race us. What that seemed to mean was that he shifted and was running back and forth between us and the house as we meandered back slow enough that he could work off his extra energy.
So as he raced off again to tag our front porch, I took advantage of the space and forced myself to bring up more practical matters.
“Is it a reasonable question to ask what pack he’s going to be the Alpha of?” I really didn’t understand the magical versus political aspects of the situation. “Oh, and I’d like to point out that I told you how big his paws were.”
Laughing, Braun leaned over and gave me a quick kiss on the side of my head. “You did. Because my mate is amazing.”
“And?” I was amazing but I needed information. “Webster says he has books. Why don’t I have books?”
“Because Webster is studying to be a cop, but for us, that means he has to know everything about the human world and the non-human world from laws to important biological differences.” My wince got a chuckle out of my dramatic mate. “Yeah, our laws and the human ones and the differences between the different groups. But I’m sure we can ask for a copy if you’d like.”
“Yes, please.” I wasn’t sure it would be light reading but it seemed to be the most comprehensive way to get information. “Then I’ll know how legal your computer business is.”
