“Oh my goodness, please call me Anne,” she said, beaming. Her hands rested on Westin’s shoulders. “We’ve been so excited to meet you. I’ve never seen Henry so smitten with anyone, so I knew you were special.”
“That’s so nice,” Westin said softly, her eyes wide. My chest clenched as I thought of the tragic way her parents had died, and then how her aunt had died a year ago. No one deserved a loving mother figure more than she did.
“Henry, introduce me to everyone else,” my mom demanded, looking at me over her shoulder.
I grinned. “This is Liam. He works as a nurse. And this is Gray. He’s a bodyguard. Bear is Liam’s roommate and owns a custom motorcycle shop.”
My mom shook each of their hands. My parents didn’t have many alpha friends, so I’d been a little worried about what they would think about my new pack. But, of course, my mom was warm and friendly as always.
“Oh, Bear,” she said, shaking his hand, “I’m sure my husband, George, will talk your ear off about mechanics and all sorts.”
“Dad’s hobby is working on cars,” I clarified.
“Yes. He’s around here somewhere. Why men think the moment guests arrive is the perfect time to do an oil change is beyond me,” she said with an exaggerated sigh. “Let’s get you all inside. I’ve made lunch.” She linked arms with Westin and led the way into the house.
“Should we bring in the suitcases?” Gray asked me, clasping my shoulder as my mom ushered Westin up the pathway.
“We can pull around back to the guesthouse to unload,” I said. “But we can wait until after lunch.”
“Sounds good,” Gray responded. He hesitated before adding, “This was a good idea to stay here. It’ll be good for Westin.”
Gray’s approval felt like a balloon filling my chest. Westin had made clear that I added value to the pack, but I was finally starting to feel it.
I led the guys inside to the living room. Westin was on one of the green couches, accepting a cup of coffee from my mom. I settled down beside her, and Gray sat next to me. Liam and Bear settled on a patterned loveseat, their broad alpha frames looking absurdly squished.
“We have more chairs,” my mom said, looking a little flustered. “We’re not used to entertaining alphas. I mean, it’s just?—”
“This is a beautiful room,” Liam cut in. “And we’re perfectly fine here.”
My mom beamed and continued serving coffee and tea until we all had mugs in our hands. She settled down in a white armchair next to Westin.
“George and Rose should be in soon, and then we’ll eat. Rose is my daughter,” she clarified. “And she just got married. But I want to know more about you. How did you all meet?”
I’d kept things vague when I’d told Mom about my new pack, not wanting to say Bear and Liam had been naked the first time I’d met them.
“Westin and I met at the Omega Rights Committee meeting,” I said.
“Well, I know that, dear,” my mom said, pursing her lips. “I meant all the rest of them.”
Westin bit her lip to hide a smile. “Bear’s shop isn’t far from where I work. I walked over one day looking to buy a bike, but I didn’t realize they sold motorcycles, not bicycles.”
Liam snorted a laugh. “I was wondering what you meant when you said you two met because of false advertising.”
“His shop is called Bear’s Bikes,” Westin exclaimed. “What was I supposed to think? But I walked out with a pair of roller skates, so it all worked out.”
“And then you met Liam because he’s Bear’s roommate?” my mom asked.
Westin hesitated and I wondered what she would say since she technically met Liam on the Sugar Nest app.
“I met Liam in the hospital. He was the nurse assigned to me,” Westin finally said.
My mom’s eyes grew soft with concern. “Of course. Henry told me about your medical concerns. I’m retired from the hospital now, but I’m happy to go with you to any appointments. The doctor you’re seeing tomorrow—Dr. Elsie Ash—is lovely. Are you feeling alright now? Do you need anything?”
Westin shifted uncomfortably, and I ran my hand down her back.
“I don’t know that Westin wants to talk about it right now, Mom,” I said.
My mom was an incredible person, but she was also nosy. I wouldn’t let her make Westin uncomfortable.
