Page 77 of Claimed

“A word?” I request.

My father shoots me a grim expression before he moves out of the yard. I follow him to the other side of the Savage Construction storage building.

“Your attitude with the Youngs is far from welcoming, Dad,” I say.

He grinds his molars, nostrils flaring.

“Erica is pack now. And Dad… these folks are all kin to me. They’ve made it clear they want to be family, and I plan to explore that.”

“There’s a lot of history. I’m here. That’s me doin’ my best.”

He was in a mood when he dropped Stacy off to me at the cabin, of course, but when I asked her how his demeanor was with her, she said he was friendly.

I sent a text message to Bailey about it afterwards since Bailey made sure to tag along. She phoned me and told me Dad has been grouchy since my mating, isn’t talking much, that he and Mom had a big blowup of some sort and they’re barely speaking. Mom’s got a smile on her face today, asked me how things are going, and was disappointed Stacy didn’t come. She wants us over for a family meal soon.

“We need to talk,” I say to Dad. “I think it’s time to give me answers about Soleil.”

His eyes flare with light showing his heightened emotions. He grinds his molars some more before he says, “This isn’t the time or place, son. But we’ll do it. I do want you to have the facts from my perspective now that they’re working their way into the fold. Let’s talk after this SCC bullshit is done with. I’d ask that you keep your eyes and ears open with the Youngs, but I already know you, so I know you will.”

I agree to put a pin in it for a few more days and slap his back. “Maybe it’ll help to unload.”

He rolls his eyes. “That’s what your mom and sister try to tell me. Not my style.”

“Letting it fester doesn’t seem to be doing much good either, does it? Might be time to try something new.”

He gives me half a smile. “I’m gonna feel a lot when I let myself dig into those memories. I won’t be near Carrie when I do.”

“Okay?” I prompt.

“Gonna say it anyway. Be careful. My experience with them hasn’t been good. I’d hate you to have to deal with bullshit and deceit.”

“Obviously you’re telling me your former mate deceived you.”

He scoffs bitterly, but offers nothing.

“Just because one witch was dishonest doesn’t mean they all are.”

“Know that,” he mutters.

“If you’d sired me on just anyone, it wouldn’t necessarily be such a big deal. But we know there’s witch blood in me, always known it’s not latent. The hunches I get. The way I can typically put people at ease, open them up to talking, agreeing to my side of things. Especially humans. After seeing the carnage at the cabin the other day from what Erica did to those fuckers, it’d be useful to learn what sorts of magic I might be capable of. What might help us as a pack down the road. Stacy’s brother’s using tools I should have knowledge of, right? I’ve got witch blood as well as being a council alpha, so I might have as much magic as my cousins do.”

“I know. Always known it. Felt it from the minute you were born how much you’ve got in you. As did she.” His gaze darkens even further. “Just spooks me after some of what I saw with Soleil. When she left, I was not… it was not good, Greyson. They said they wanted to get their hands on you when you turned eighteen to start training you, wanted visitation with you as you grew up, but I told them they could wait until you decided if you wanted that. Lyrica told me you’d not be able to wait long after your mating. And that’s checking out with everything else happening. Let’s go for a ride one day next week, talk after this SCC shit is over with. All right?”

“Yeah, Dad.” I clap his shoulder. He claps mine in return.

I’m letting it go despite the questions brewing in my gut because I can see that this is gonna require a different setting for my father. And maybe a big ole bottle of Andy Quinn’s moonshine.

“I’ll drive to Silver Hills with you if you want,” he says. “Help out there and we can talk on the drive. That’ll give me space toprocess before I get home to your mom. Don’t feel right even bringing her up anywhere near where Carrie lives and breathes. Can you give me this, Greyson?”

I nod and slap his back. He returns the gesture.

“Happy? With your mate?”

“Lot of baggage muddying the waters with her. Once this shit is sorted with her brother, once that coast is clear I’m sure she’ll settle. But yeah, she’s everything, Dad.”

He slaps my cheek with affection. “Bring her into the fold with the pack. Don’t keep her isolated at home. That’s the best way to do it.”

I nod. “You’re right. I’m already plannin’ on it.”

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