Page 28 of Blackmailed

She sniffed and took his hand, allowing him to guide her. While he got dressed, Jochi cleaned up their mess then headed upstairs for a shower. Déshì lay in his bassinet as well, still sound asleep, but would be waking soon for his bottle.

“Sorry, Daddy,” she whispered. “I should have knocked. Something my mate scolded me for not doing.”

“I’m sorry as well,” Jefferson said. “I should’ve taken more care. I left the door unlocked.”

“Sir, with all due respect, Charisma knows better. Shifters and their mates have no control of their baser instincts, most especially at the full moon,” Royce chided. “Congratulations on joining the pack.”

Charisma stared at Royce. “Why are you welcoming him to the pack again. I thought we did it the other day.”

“Sweetheart,” Jefferson began. “I have—” A squeal of worry drew Jefferson’s attention to the bassinet. “Give me a second.”

“What in the...” Charisma gasped as Jefferson lifted the small bundle to his shoulder. “Who...who is that?”

“There is so much to tell you,” he murmured. “First a bottle and a change.”

“I’ll grab it,” Royce said. “You guys sit and talk.”

“Who is this?” Charisma stared at the boy in Jefferson’s arms.

“This is our son, Déshì.” Jefferson rubbed the baby’s back soothing him. “Dani said he was dropped at the orphanage in a box. He wouldn’t shift until Jochi coaxed him.”

“So, he’s m-my brother?” She brushed a tuff of his unique hair from his forehead. “Oh, Daddy.”

“There is more.” He took the bottle from Royce when he brought it back to the couch and placed it to the kitten’s lips. “I-I think you should talk to Danielle. There has been another development.”

“What? Why? Are you okay?” Fear colored her words.

“I’m perfectly fine, sweetheart. It would appear I was—am a dormant wolf.”

“A what?” Charisma’s gaze bounced between him and Royce. “How is this possible?”

“It’s rare,” Royce answered. “Very few are dormant. They either are or aren’t wolves or any type of shifter from birth. To be dormant means the wolf never developed properly.”

Jefferson nodded. “My wolf needed a kickstart. Kalkin and I believe it started to show itself when I mated Jochi last year and when I went to visit Danielle a few days ago, she urged the wolf the rest of the way out. We’re not sure if I’ll shift, but...”

“You knot,” Royce said, a bit in awe. “Fuck, oasis. We have some shitty timing coming here.”

Jefferson chuckled. “As I said, it’s my fault.”

“Wait, both of you.” Charisma stood and began to pace. She wrung her hands like her mother had done whenever she’d been nervous. “You’re here making light of it and this...this is serious. My father is a-a wolf and neither one of you seem concerned.”

“Oh, I am concerned, sweetheart. I have been since Danielle told me, but what am I supposed to do? It is what it is and now, you get to find out whether or not you are a wolf as well.”

Charisma scoffed at her father. “I’m not. I think I would have known.”

“Oasis,” Royce snarled. “Don’t be mean.”

“I’m not, asshole. I’m trying to digest the fact my father has a baby and by the way, I walked in on him knotting his mate because he’s a wolf!” She spun away from both men. “So, fuck off, Royce.”

"Don't raise your voice in my house, little girl," Jefferson snapped. "You're not too old to have your butt paddled for being disrespectful."

She faced them then. Her bottom lip trembled. Her cheeks were red. “I’m sorry, Daddy. This is a lot to take in. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do or say.”

“Then don’t say anything,” Jefferson said. “Be happy for me. Be happy for our family. I know you have always worried about what will become of me. Now, you don’t have to.”

“I am happy,” she muttered.

“Are you sure, oasis?”

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