Page 53 of A Farmer’s Guide To Gamers

“You can certainly share my bed tonight, betas. If things progress naturally, then I won’t be opposed,” I said with a wink as Kai parked in front of the house.

Before anyone could overthink it, I climbed out to greet Dean and Jack who were waiting on the porch.

Tillie

Kai and Aiden were full of surprises.

I had thought the pottery class date was the biggest surprise today, but I was wrong.

As Dean and Jack handled moving boxes around the house, Kai and Aiden brought in some from the trunk of the car. I opened the boxes with a questioning look before laughing in shock and looking at them in wonder as they helped me unbox a gaming computer they had, apparently, built for me.

Kai and Aiden’s faces glowed even as they argued while setting it up. It was hilarious to watch them together, both betas seemingly bickering out of habit more than actually being upset about anything.

Jack and Dean would step in to assist and see if I needed anything before continuing to move boxes in and out of the room they were taking over today.

It was an odd and homey feeling having them all in my space.

Odd, but not unwelcome.

Just as I was about to offer to figure out some dinner my phone rang.

My brow furrowed, unsure who was calling me to find my brother’s name, Drew, on the screen.

“Hey, Drew! What’s going on?” I greeted him with an easy smile, happy with my pack around me. “Did Mom get in trouble again?”

“I’m sure she’s cooking up something, sis, it has been a few days,” he replied with a hint of his normal exasperation whenever our mom’s shenanigans were mentioned. “But no, I just wanted to call to check up on you after that run in. How are you? Any other issues?”

I cleared my throat, anxiety spiking at the mere mention of Jonathan. The others must have noticed because as I moved to stand, both betas had stopped their setup and turned to completely focus on me.

I waved them off, saying my brother was calling to catch up and walked to sit outside on the porch.

They gave me my space, but I knew damn well the moment I stepped back inside they’d all have questions. Starting off a pack with secrets wasn’t ideal, and I knew it was time to tell them everything.

“It’s okay,” I hedged as I sat on the porch swing. My feet kicked lightly to get it moving as I explained. “He hasn’t tried anything else yet but he called out to me earlier today in town. I ignored him and we drove away, but we made eye contact. I don’t think this is the last I’ll see of him.”

He sighed. “Tell me you’ve told your pack so they’re watching your back? This isn’t giving me the warm and fuzzies, as Mom puts it.”

That was a fucking understatement.

“No, I agree,” I breathed out. “I plan on talking to them after our call.”

“You need to. They want to keep you safe and I need them to keep you safe, sis.” His voice edged on a bark. Not quite there but his alpha was on the verge.

“I promise I will,” I reassured him.

“Good. You should also prepare them that Mom is sniffing around about dinner again. She won’t let you skip out,” he warned. His voice was lighter now and I knew if I didn’t follow through he’d ask the guys himself.

At dinner.

In front of our parents.

“Hopefully, I can avoid it just a little longer. Our family is a bit unconventional,” I mused. I could only imagine my mother telling wild stories, my dads grilling and interrogating the guys. Dean would be fine, Jack would manage with a few bad jokes they’d love, Kai would likely adore Mom, and Aiden would be out of his depth.

“I doubt it, so I’d prepare yourself, too.”

We said a quick goodbye and I swear they were listening because the door opened a moment later and Dean peeked his head out.

“Is everything alright out here?”