A horrified silence that stretched until I asked, “What’s wrong?”
Dad glanced at Father then licked his lips. “Son, that dragon is an alpha.”
“I know. And Kyle is an omega wolf.” There were mixed matings in our sleuth. An otter and a bear for one pairing. “Aren’t you going to greet them?”
“Of course.” Dad approached and did shake their hands.
Father did nothing, focused on his paper again.
I looked from one of them to the other, still puzzled, but Falkan put a hand on my shoulder. “Mate, we’ve come and made the introductions. I think we need to continue on our way.”
My eyes stung with tears. My parents had never been a super-loving couple and their parenting was short of warm and cuddly, but I’d never seen them like this. “Dad, do you have a problem with my mates? These are my fateds, and they are not going away, so I suggest you be careful of what you say here.” The wordsif you ever want to see your grandchildren or possibly even me againhung waiting to be said.
“We’re just surprised is all. We didn’t think you liked”—he lowered his voice—“alphas.”
“I don’t like alphas. I love Falkan, and he’s a very wise dragon. We’re going to leave now.” I turned and started for the door, half expecting one of them to say something to make it all better, but what would that be?
I heard a sob from behind me, but I wasn’t sorry. Let them grieve if they chose to reject my mating. Who were they to try to overrule Fate?
Back in the car, I turned the keys over to Falkan, too shaken to drive. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea they felt that way.”
“It’s okay, Griffith.” Kyle reached over the front seat and patted my shoulder. “We can’t help what our families are like. I have a feeling some of yours are, or were, better than that, though.”
“My grandparents.” I remembered the two of them, so in love. “My dads were not fated, but my grandparents were. Our house was generally okay if a little cool, but every summer when I came to my grands, it was like being bathed in love to stay with them. Even when they were quite elderly and toward the end of their lives, they found joy in the silliest things. Always laughing together and never in a way that made me feel left out. No, anyone around was included.
“One year, I tried to stay with them after the summer, but my dads weren’t having it. They’ve been telling me I shouldn’t wait for my fated. I should settle for whoever was around. It’s what they did, and growing up, I knew the difference between their house and my grandparents. I would never have settled. You two were worth waiting for.”
Kyle squeezed my shoulder. “I know you hoped your sleuth would welcome me, that I want a pack, but you two are enough. I’m just scared to be alone again.
“Omega ours,” Falkan said, “you never will be alone.”
“Never,” I echoed. “Not while either of us draws breath.
Chapter Eighteen
Falkan
“Are you sure your parents are okay with all of us dropping in on them?” Kyle asked.
We had just pulled onto the street where my parents lived. And where I lived half a block away.
“They specifically said they would have dinner for all of us. They want to meet you.” I reached over to the passenger side and slid my palm against the side of his head.
“I guess I don’t like the meeting-the-parents part of all this.”
Griffith leaned forward from the back seat. “It’ll be okay, Kyle.”
It was nice of Griffith to be so optimistic after his family had snubbed us nearly as badly as Kyle’s.
Kyle’s worry was understandable. He’d had only bad experiences. Dragons could be territorial and temperamental, but my flight was open and friendly. Sure, there were always bad eggs, but we chased them out when we could.
Another difference. My parents couldn’t wait to meet my mates.
I pulled into the long circular drive framing a big fountain.
“Wow, your parents have a huge house,” Kyle exclaimed.
“I warned you.”
