Page 58 of Tempest

Ore

“Are you sure it’s safe here?”

Ore forced himself to look away from the hideous cowboy-themed decor in the room his parents had been put in and met his mom’s worried eyes. “Yes, it’s safe here. I haven’t spent a lot of time with most of the pack, but there’s only been one guy that wasn’t… welcoming. Otherwise, everyone I’ve come into contact with has been very receptive and kind, especially considering they’re not used to having outsiders in their territory.”

His dad was pacing on the other side of the bed, one hand clasped on the back of his neck, but at Ore’s words, he pivoted on his heel and gave him a stern look, eyes sharp. “What do you mean some guy wasn’t welcoming? What happened?”

Ore shrugged, not really wanting to tell his parents about Billy and the bookstore. “It wasn’t a big deal. He said something rude to me, but Cash stepped in before anything could happen.” He smiled at the memory. “I thought he was going to rip the guy’s throat out.” At their horrified looks, he rushed to say, “But he didn’t. He made sure the guy was punished though.”

His mom didn’t look very relieved, making him wonder what sort of punishment they thought happened in Liam’s pack. “He was that upset over some rude words?”

His dad’s eyes narrowed. “They must have been pretty bad for a pack Enforcer to react so violently against his own packmate while protecting a stranger.”

Ore looked away, his cheeks heating. “Cash was… sort of put in charge of making sure my stay here was uneventful.”

He picked his words carefully, not actually wanting to admit to his parents that he’d basically been confined to Cash’s house until he finally wore him down with Pops’s help, and then the first time he came into town, he’d run into Billy. He wasn’t sure his parents would understand—or appreciate—their only son not being trusted by the very same pack he was now asking them to put their trust in.

They exchanged a look, wariness clear on both of their faces and scents.

“Maybe staying isn’t such a good idea,” his mom said, looking back at him. “I’m sure there are wonderful people here, but we have to think about all of our safety, including your sisters.”

Ore nodded. “I get that, truly, but if Alpha Amato says we’re safe here, I believe him. I don’t know exactly what’s going to happen at this pack meeting tonight, but I do know that he plans on telling people who don’t want any of the members of our pack joining to leave. He won’t tolerate people being intolerant or divisive.”

“Still,” his dad said, crossing his arms over his chest. “This Amato has been alpha for a few years now and hasn’t done anything like this. Seems like he’s being rash and that he might regret welcoming us into his pack. Where will we be then?”

Taking a deep breath, Ore stood from the uncomfortable chair covered with a weird horse fabric. As calmly as he could, he told his parents, “If you don’t want to stay, I can’t make you. Youhave to do what you believe is best for yourselves and the girls, but I’m an adult, and I’ll be staying either way.”

His mom jumped up from where she’d been perched on the edge of the bed—the quilt covering it was a patchwork of belt buckles, horseshoes, and all kinds of other cowboy paraphernalia, and he couldn’t help but be distracted by the idea of Liam decorating the room that way. Hadn’t Cash said he’d grown up near Chicago?

She came forward and clasped his elbows, giving him a quick squeeze. “Sweetheart, you don’t have to stay here because you feel a sense of obligation after they saved your life. We’ll be forever grateful for that, but we just don’t know if it’s the best place for avian shifters, given the attitude of some of the pack members.”

“I’m not staying out of misplaced loyalty or a sense of obligation.” He took a deep breath and swallowed. “Cash and I are mates. I’m not leaving him.”

His mother’s nails dug into his skin before she dropped her hands and took a step back. He winced at the horror on her face.

“Are you sure?” she asked quietly, glancing back at Ore’s dad before refocusing on him.

His dad wasn’t saying anything. His only reaction to Ore’s proclamation was the furrowing of his dark brows. His stomach got a little queasy, but he straightened his shoulders and nodded. It didn’t matter if they approved. He and Cash loved each other. They wanted to be a family.

“I’m positive. My bird led me here to him when I was injured and terrified, and even when I couldn’t remember anything, I felt drawn to him. He’s kept me safe ever since I arrived. He’s been generous with his time and money and affections, taking care of me in ways I couldn’t even begin to explain. We’re mates, and we’re sticking together.” He cleared the emotion out of histhroat and added, “He’s worked hard to become an Enforcer in this pack. I would never ask him to give that up.”

His dad walked slowly over to stand next to his mom. She still looked shocked, but his dad clasped her hand and said, “Obviously, your mother and I are very happy for you. You’ve always wanted a mate, and we’re glad you found someone as wonderful as Cash.”

His mom started to say something but stopped with a faint noise that made Ore think his dad had just tightened his grip.

“We can’t wait to get to know him and personally thank him for taking care of our boy,” he finished, smiling at Ore. It wasn’t big, but it was there.

Tears sprang into Ore’s eyes. As frustrated as he was at his mom’s reaction, he knew she would come around. It wasn’t that interspecies matings were unheard of among shifters, but avians could be a bit stuck up about who they believed were acceptable mates. He understood it was a shock for her.

He just hoped it didn’t take too long for her to realize how amazing Cash was.

Giving them a strained smile, he headed for the door. “I’ve got to head out and meet Cash before we go to the meeting tonight. Do you guys need anything?”

His dad shook his head. “No, son, we’re just fine. It’s been a long day, so I think we’ll turn in for the night.”

“Okay,” he said, forcing himself to ignore the fact that his mother still hadn’t said anything. “I’ll try to come by in the morning before we leave.”

Ore was a little surprised that the pack meeting was being held outside in the same area behind Alpha Amato’s house wherethey’d all met before the pack run. When he said as much to Cash, his panther informed him they enjoyed having their gatherings out in nature whenever possible. The only time they used the community center was if the weather was too bad.

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