Page 65 of A Farmer’s Guide To Gamers

“I’m glad you could join us. I wasn’t sure if you’d be able to walk after that performance. What did I always tell you? Betas are the ones to watch out for. They’re absolutely freaks in the sheets!” my mother announced with a squeal as we walked in the door.

Right there in front of Drew and his pack, and Ari, who all looked mortified on my behalf.

Aiden’s hand squeezed mine hard, and I didn’t have to look to know he was blushing furiously.

“Mom, good to see you. Maybe next time you’ll just leave a message like a normal person,” I teased as she crushed me in a hug.

My dads, Roger and Brady, were there next. I knew they wouldn’t save me from her. They simply chuckled and gave her an exasperated but indulgent look. They were as gone for her as they were for each other.

Roger, the beta and my dad, was practically beaming after her beta comment. Brady, my pa, just smiled knowingly and rolled his eyes.

“So, I brought some fresh bread,” I said, holding up the loaf as a peace offering to change the fucking subject.

“Perfect,” Pa said as he took it and held it up in the air. “The holy grain of grains has arrived.”

“I was about to have to call and beg for more. He’s been a sourdough fiend lately,” Dad told me as they ushered us further into the house.

“You know I always have a fresh loaf or two going,” I reassured him. “So, I hear you’re putting every pizza parlor in the area to shame.”

That was enough for the two of them to launch into an excited explanation. Pa’s hazel eyes danced with laughter as he told me about some mishaps in the beginning. I could just imagine them both covered in flour. Pa had a teasing smile and didn’t take anything too seriously. He had fluffy dark hair and a beard and mustache that was now starting to take more grey. His once-muscled alpha frame was filling out around the middle, making him look like a big teddy bear.

Dad had curly, brown hair and green eyes that always seemed to be amused. His smile was contagious and he added fun and lightness to their lives. And ours. Growing up with the two of them and our mom meant our lives were chaotic, but full of love.

Even now they were drawing in my pack like one of their own, making them laugh. Even Jack and Aiden weren’t quite as tense as they were when we walked in the door.

“Well, that was more information than I ever wanted when it comes to my sister,” Ari said as he walked in from a nearby room.

Mom just smirked and shrugged while I laughed before walking over to give him a hug.

“The long lost brother!” I proclaimed as I gave him a squeeze. “Look at you finally deciding to come back and see us country people. You would think you didn’t even remember us anymore.”

“Oh don’t you start, Tillie! Mom already shoved me on the guilt train, not you, too!”

“It has been forever since you’ve been there, though, son,” Pa added on, with a solemn nod. Though there was a bright twinkle in his eye as Dad echoed his sentiment.

Ari threw his hands up in the air, his long, brown hair swinging slightly at the movement. His green eyes were filled with laughter as he tried to respond.

“Guys, it’s only been like two months since I’ve been here. That’s not that long!”

“I think even I came back to see my family once a month when I was at school,” Dean joined in.

“Oh god, not the newbies joining in. I need an adult beverage if this is what’s going to happen.”

“An adult beverage? I think that’s just called a beer,” Drew said as he finally joined us all standing around.

“Says the black sheep of the family!” Ari shot back, laughing as Drew just rolled his eyes and didn’t play into our dramatics.

“Come on outside, everyone,” Dad said, leading the way onto the deck out back. “We’re going to get the pizzas started soon and we don’t want any of them to burn. Do any of you have any food allergies or anything?”

This last question was aimed at my pack and I looked at them to answer since I couldn’t quite remember if they couldn’t eat anything that would go on a pizza.

“We’re good!” Kai spoke up, a wide smile on his face as he walked beside me still holding my hand. “No allergies that are pizza related, just pine nuts for me, but please tell me there aren’t any anchovies on these things. I can handle a lot of things but tiny fish are not one of them.”

“I never could get past the tiny eyeballs,” Pa said with an exaggerated shudder.

“Ew,” Aiden grumbled. He’d moved in next to me and was standing close enough his arm was pressed against mine. I didn’t mind. It was nice to have him close.

“Agreed,” I tacked on. “Don’t worry, they’re more of the meat lovers and extra cheese kind of guys.”