Page 60 of Tempest

Cash nodded, following close behind him, shutting and locking the door. “Yeah. I knew there’d be some pushback, but it seemed like most people were supportive of the idea.”

His bird headed straight for the living room, throwing himself down on the couch and letting out a dramatic groan. “Goddess, I’m tired. This day has just been so long, and I feel like I’ve barely seen you.”

Smiling, he sat next to him, lifting his arm when Ore immediately leaned into him to snuggle close. “How are your parents feeling?”

Ore’s scent soured a little. “I’m not sure. I’m hoping after a few days of processing everything, they’ll be a little more open to the idea of staying here.”

He glanced down, staring at Ore’s face and the tiny furrow between his brows. “They’re not planning on staying?”

He tipped his head back to meet Cash’s gaze. “They’re not sure. I kind of get it. If I didn’t have you, I wouldn’t be as comfortable staying in a pack full of felines. I think they’re worried mostly about feeling like outsiders or like they were only admitted to the pack out of guilt or charity. I know they’re worried about my sisters too.”

“They’d all be safe here,” Cash assured him. “I promise you.”

Ore reached up and cupped the side of his face. “I know that. You don’t have to convince me. I don’t know that it helped when I told them about us. They seemed pretty shocked.”

A lump formed in Cash’s throat. “They were upset when you told them we were mates?”

He hummed in agreement, leaning up to press a kiss to the underside of Cash’s chin. “My mom was. My dad came around really quickly, told me they were happy for me, but she still seemed horrified at the idea of me being mated to a panther,”

Cash scowled. “Does she think I won’t treat you well? I can talk to her if you want. Even if we hadn’t been destined for each other, I still would’ve chosen you, Ore.”

His mate stretched up farther to give him a quick kiss on his mouth. “I would’ve chosen you too. But no, you don’t need to talk to her. They’ll either decide to stay or to go to another pack. Hopefully if they leave, they won’t end up too far away so we can visit every now and again.”

“You’ll still be staying?” Cash asked slowly, voicing the worry that had gripped him as soon as Ore had said his parents might not.

Ore gave his ear a tug. “Of course I’m staying. I love them, but you’re my mate. You’re the one I’m going to build a life with.”

“If you want to be with them, we could still le?—”

“No,” Ore interrupted. “I would never ask you to leave. You are an integral part of this pack, and you’ve worked so hard to get where you are. I would never ask you to give that up.”

“I just want you to be happy,” Cash said softly, leaning closer and nuzzling against Ore’s temple.

“You do make me happy. So does Pops—and even Rachel and Saint are growing on me. Plus, the cute little bookstore.” He tapped his lips, pretending to think. “Oh yes, and I love you.”

“I love you too, little bit.” He couldn’t help but smile at his silliness.

Ore’s sweet face turned radiant with happiness. He slipped a hand behind Cash’s neck and used his handhold to pull himself up and over Cash’s lap so he was straddling him and they were face-to-face.

As Ore leaned in, Cash put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. His dick throbbed in protest, but there was one more thing he needed to say before he got distracted. “I’d rather you not come tomorrow.”

Liam had let the pack know at the end of the meeting that the reinforcements from his brother’s pack and Rick Kincaid would be arriving tomorrow afternoon. Then, they’d fly to California together to confront Ore’s old pack and rescue anyone who wanted to leave.

It would hopefully be a short trip when they showed up with formidable backup. Their numbers should discourage Alpha Barney or his Enforcers from putting up a fight. Then, it would just be sorting out transportation and anything else the pack needed before they headed back home.

Tipping his head to the side, Ore studied him, a faint smile still on his lips. “It’s my family, my former pack. I have to go.”

“It could get dangerous,” Cash said. “I need to make sure you stay safe.”

Ore clasped either side of his face, leaning in until their foreheads were pressed together. “I know, and it’s one of the many reasons why I love you, but I have to do this. I need to facewhat happened and the fact that I just ran instead of staying and trying to help.”

“You were worried about your own well-being,” Cash insisted. “I doubt anyone blames you for fleeing to protect yourself.”

He shrugged. “Maybe, but the fact of the matter is my sisters and other hatchlings in the pack have suffered because of my decision. I need to be a part of the solution.”

Cash sighed and closed his eyes. He understood what Ore was saying—he’d feel the exact same way. Even if Ore didn’t plan on staying with his old pack, he still felt responsible for them. A sense of loyalty that didn’t just evaporate because he met Cash.

“If anyone even looks at you wrong?—”

---