Savage (Wolf Ranch 4)

My dad came into the room, looking on in confusion, but with a smile on his face.

“Dad, this is Becky,” I said again. “I admit, we went at things a little backward. She hasn’t agreed to date me yet, but she is pregnant with my baby.” I used the human word instead of pup to signal to my parents the situation. It was one they were becoming familiar with because Audrey and Marina hadn’t known about shifters when their mates had found them. They’d learned in time, and that was what I was asking for now. “Becky, if my mom ever lets you go, this is my dad, Tom.”

“Nice to meet you.” Becky extricated herself from my mom’s embrace and shook my dad’s hand. Little did she know, while he wasn’t a hugger, he’d cover her hand with the other and refuse to let go.

“Becky,” my dad said. His smile had spread to a big grin, and he was as shocked as Mom. We’d completely surprised them… and over lunch. “Not sure what to say in this situation other than we’re both so pleased to know you. Sounds like you’re not ready for a welcome to the family, but that’s how we feel, just the same.”

Because my parents would never break pack law and discuss our nature with a human who wasn’t aware of our existence, I was sure I could trust them not to say anything to Becky before I’d had the chance.

And fuck! I sure as hell didn’t know when that would be. If she couldn’t even contemplate dating me yet, she wasn’t going to easily wrap her mind around the concept of being mated for life. Especially considering I’d done it without her consent. She’d just thought I’d been a little wild in bed. Nothing more.

“Your parents must be excited,” Dad said.

Becky offered him a small smile. “We’re not close, actually. I haven’t spoken to them in a few years. They won’t be involved.”

Mom’s face fell, and Dad was silent. Shifters were all about family. Blood or chosen. We took care of each other. Becky’s words made me want to track the couple down and bash their heads together for making her think she was an accident. Between her parents and Todd then me not being around—until now—during her pregnancy, she’d probably felt very alone. That ended now. I was sure my parents would see to that as much as me.

“Well, we’re going to be involved. Too involved,” Dad said, and Mom nodded.

Exactly. This was what families did. They got in the way. I was thankful that they were showing her that while getting pregnant had been an accident, our child wasn’t one. It—she—was very wanted.

Becky pasted on a smile. “You have a lovely home, and it… it smells really good in here.”

I laughed, letting her change the subject. “She’s hungry, so let’s put some food in front of her before you blast us with questions.”

I was lucky, and I knew it. Not everyone had parents as kind and open-hearted as Rand and I did. They were a large part of what made our community—our pack—what it was. Rob had been sixteen when he’d become alpha, and Dad had really helped him in those early years. His advice was solid and respected.

Rand and his best friend, Nash, pushed through the front door. “We heard there was lasagna,” he explained, gaze flicking over Becky with curiosity. “We couldn’t turn that down.”

My parents looked at me.

I wrapped an arm around Becky which said plenty in itself. “My brother Rand’s the dark haired one, and Nash is the other.”

They took off their hats and nodded.

“This is Becky and—”

Rand took a deep breath, eyes widening. “She’s your m—”

“She’s our lunch guest,” Mom cut in, saving Rand from sticking his foot in his mouth. “Don’t scare her off before she even takes off her coat.”

Realizing she was right, I helped Becky get out of her jacket and tossed it at Rand. “Hang it up, runt. This is the woman who’s making you an uncle.”

He was far from little. In fact, he was taller and heavier than I was. But he was four years younger and had been small until he hit thirteen. Then, as my mom said, he grew overnight.

He held the coat in his hand as he opened his mouth in an exaggerated “O” and swung a can you believe it gaze at Nash. “No shit.”

“Language, Rand,” Mom scolded then reached out a hand to Becky. “Come into the kitchen and sit down. We’ll try not to overwhelm you. We’re so excited.”

I held a chair out for Becky, and she slid into it, her stomach growling again. I sat beside her, my hand protectively on the back of her chair.

“How did you two meet?” Dad asked as Mom used a spatula to place a slice of lasagna on a plate then passed it to Becky.