Page 2 of Bear Your Fate

“You know what I mean, Dad,” he grumbled. “Don’t pretend that you don’t.”

I turned away from him to pull the roast from the oven, but that didn’t stop me from hearing the flow of words from his mouth.

“Our lives are better than they’ve ever been. The danger to our family has been eliminated. The clubs are doing great. All your kids are happily mated. You’ve got four grandchildren already. And when Selene finally goes into labor, you’ll have another.”

I chuckled at the frustration in his tone. His mate was a week past her due date, and he wasn’t dealing with the wait well. Meanwhile, my daughter-in-law was serene about the whole thing—even with my son hovering around her pretty much all of the time. It had made for some interesting council meetings over the last few months, that was for damn sure.

Just about the time the other council members had grown accustomed to having Selene around, Camden had knocked her up and refused to let her out of his sight. Having a witch on a council of shifters, who’d spent their whole lives not trusting witches, had been an adjustment for everyone. Even me, and I adored Selene. But serving on the council with a mated and pregnant witch whose bear-shifter consort growled at anyone who even looked at her wrong? It was fucking hilarious, at least for me because I was the only one safe from my son’s wrath. Camden had it right when he said our lives were better than they’d ever been.

“I do have a lot to be thankful for,” I agreed as I yanked a tray of rolls from the stove next.

“I just want you to be as happy as the rest of us.”

The pain in my son’s voice tore at me. After dropping my oven mitts on the counter next to the stove, I moved towards him. As soon as I got close enough, I pulled him in for a brief, but strong, hug. Looking at him, I wished I had the words to make this right. But I didn’t. He’d made enough comments recently for me to know exactly what was bothering him, and there wasn’t a solution for it.

“I spent years being bitter about the hand Fate had dealt me, but that time is past. I’ve accepted the fact that I’ll never have a mate of my own, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be happy,” I explained. “That I won’t have a rich life, full of contentment. I might not be mated, but I have a feeling Fate has something in mind for me, Camden. And I’m more than okay with the path I’m on.”

I knew exactly where—or I should have said towards whom—that path was leading me, too. But I wasn’t ready to share that information with anyone yet. Not until I convinced her to stay where she belonged, at my side.

Once that battle was over, Audra and I would face our family together. With Selene about ready to pop, my wait was almost over. Thank fuck because I wasn’t sure I’d be able to hold out much longer.

“I just want you to have what I found with Selene,” he whispered, his left hand lifting to his right bicep where his consort mark wrapped around his arm.

“It is what it is, son. There’s no changing fate.”

“I don’t know, Carrick.” Selene’s soft voice had both of us turning towards the door. “Maybe it just needs a little nudge in the right direction.”

She practically glowed with happiness, her green eyes shining mischievously and her hands resting on her swollen belly.

“You made all my favorites.” Her smile grew wider as she wandered over to the stove and lifted the lid off a pot of mashed potatoes.

“Of course I did,” I confirmed. “I figured it might be the last time you’ll enjoy my roast quite so much.”

“Like a not-so-little pig, you mean,” she grumbled, waving her hands at her belly. “I swear all this baby wants to eat is meat, meat, and more meat.”

“Thank fuck for that,” my son chuckled as he moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist to rest his hands over her stomach. “Because my meat appreciates your cravings.”

“Camden!” she gasped, slapping her hand over his mouth. “You can’t say stuff like that in front of your dad.”

Camden’s answer was muffled by her hand, but I could see his jawline moving as he spoke.

“Ew!” she screeched, jerking her hand away. “I can’t believe you licked my hand.”

She scrunched up her nose and wiped her hand on his shirt, making me laugh.

“I’m pretty sure he’s licked more than your hand,” I deadpanned.

“Carrick!” “Dad!” they yelled at the same time, turning to look at me with wide eyes.

“What?” I shrugged, gesturing at her stomach. “It’s not like I don’t know how she ended up like that.”

“Fuck, Dad,” Camden sighed.

“Exactly,” I muttered.

“Oh my Goddess!” Selene gasped, doubling over with laughter. “You—” she sputtered, pointing at Camden. “And then he—” she continued, turning towards me. “So not right,” she finished, shaking her head.

“Too much?” I asked as I pulled a stack of plates from the cabinet to set them on the table.

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