“Yeah. And Papa, too. But Dad was the one I did so many things with.”
“It will be fine. We’ll meet them and if you feel unsure about anything, we have your back,” Seth said.
It felt good to have reinforcements. I didn’t need them in the physical sense. It was all emotional. Through our bond, I always sensed them, Seth and Bram, two bright lights like beacons letting me know that with them, I was always safe, always home.
We drove up the winding driveway to my parents’ house. It was a large two-story home with eaves like a gingerbread house and tons of wind chimes hanging on the porch and in the trees. Here, even in the lightest breeze, there was always the singing of the chimes.
Papa had hummingbird feeders all over. He kept them filled with red sugar water. Iridescent wings filled the air. He also had a bird feeder that attracted all different kinds of birds, along with squirrels who tried to steal the seed.
We got out of the car, and birds fluttered away as we walked up the porch. The door opened before I could even knock.
Dad and Papa stood together, Dad wearing his usual suit and tie with his long dark hair loose to his waist, Papa, with his bright golden hair, in his brushed silk jacket and matching pale-blue trousers.
“Welcome.” They pulled the door wide and glanced beyond me to see the two men I’d brought. I hadn’t really warned them more than saying I had a couple of friends who would be accompanying me.
Dad stepped forward and embraced me. Papa was a step behind, his arms going around me as well. He spoke softly into my ear. “Good to see you, Son. Did you have a nice trip?”
“Hi, Dad. Hi, Papa. Yes, it was a great trip.”
Dad surveyed Bram and Seth. “I see you made some new friends?” He sniffed the air and addressed Seth. “You’re from the shimmer up the road.”
Seth nodded, looking at me as if asking my permission to speak. I gave him a nod. Seth stepped forward.
“I’m Seth, the shimmer’s alpha apparent.”
“Ah, it’s been a while since we’ve seen you. You’ve grown.”
“Yes, sir.”
Bram stepped forward, hand out. “I’m Bram.”
He introduced himself. “I’m Caiman. And this is my husband, James.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Bram said. Seth echoed him a second later.
Papa interceded in that moment. “Why doesn’t everyone step inside? We have tea and coffee. And snacks.”
Dad and Papa stepped back, motioning us all in.
As we stood in the foyer, Dad looked at Bram. “You are a wolf, yes?”
“Yes, sir.” Bram pressed his mouth tight.
“I see.” A pause. “Well, you’re quite welcome here.”
Bram’s eyes brightened. “Thank you.”
He said nothing about Bram being an omega, or pregnant, but of course he had to have scented it.
“Come.” Papa escorted us into the living room where he had drinks and food already laid out on the coffee table. He motioned for the three of us to take seats on the couch.
Papa handed us each a mug then asked if we wanted coffee or tea. Seth and I chose coffee. Bram asked for tea.
Once we had our filled mugs, my parents both sat in recliners facing us. My parents were smart with great senses. They no doubt already sensed our bond.
I gulped. “Dad, Papa. Seth and Bram are my fated mates.”
“Both of them?” Papa asked, then coughed to cover his outburst as if it might be impolite.
