Page 100 of Their Knotty Pack
"My parents are here."
Chapter 40
Miles
We're just about to pull into the driveway when a red truck parked in front of the house makes my blood run cold. "Fuck!" I panic, making Bethany startle awake off my shoulder. "Shit, fuck, shit!"
"What!?" Titus panics, nearly slamming on the brakes.
"What's wrong?" Bethany asks, grabbing my arm and sending soothing feelings through the bond.
I can't take my eyes off the truck though. "My parents are here." They must have let themselves in, they still have the key I gave them when I moved in.
This wasn't supposed to happen. I must have gone too long ignoring their calls. They got worried about me and came all the way here to make sure I'm okay.
Our only saving grace is that nobody else is home yet.
Bethany's grip tightens on my arm. "It's okay, babe, we'll figure it out."
"Do you want me to make a few laps before dropping you off?" Titus asks, his eyes catching mine in the rear-view mirror.
"We don't have anywhere to be, Miles," Hannah reassures me. "You can take all the time you need."
"Imight need a few…weeks." I swallow roughly, pulling the little terrycloth headband out of my hair, and Wren gives me a wry smile.
"Thatmight be pushing it."
"It's fine," I let out a breath, steeling myself. "I'm going to have to face them sooner or later, right?"
Bethany wraps her arms around me, filling my nose with her addicting scent. Then I get an idea. Maybe…maybe we can pass off our combined scents as Bethany's scent. My parents are betas, they won't be able to scent the difference.
"Are you sure?" Cady asks, turning in her seat to look at me.
I nod. "Yeah, I…have it figured out."
Bethany shoots me a questioning look, but I wait until we're out of the car and Titus has driven away to take her hands in mine. "Please…just go with me on this, okay?"
Her brows furrow in confusion. "On what, exactly? Aren't you going to tell your parents—"
"That I'm a happily bonded pack beta and your scent is a unique combination of raspberry, blueberry, dark chocolate and hibiscus?"
Her expression softens in understanding. "Miles…"
"I know. I know that I need to tell them, but…next time. When I've had ample opportunity to prepare for their visit instead of having it sprung on us." I give her my best puppy-dog look. "Please?"
Her eyes flit between mine for a second before her head falls back. "Dammit, Miles! I'm supposed to be immune to other omegas! Fine. But only if you promise to tell them next time."
Relief fills my chest as I move her hair to cover her bite marks. She gives me an amused smile until I lean down, grab her face, and kiss her deeply. "Thank you," I tell her, pressing our foreheads together.
"There you two are!" Dad's voice calls from the front porch, and I let my surprise show.
"Dad? What are you doing here?"
"We let ourselves in because your car was in the driveway and we wanted to surprise you, but then when you weren't home, and were just watching some TV." Mom explains, coming onto the porch next to dad.
Grabbing Bethany's hand, I lead her up to the porch. "Mom, Dad, this is Bethany." Looking at Dad is like looking into a mirror that shows twenty-five years into my future. The resemblance is so striking that even I can see it. His black hair is cut shorter than I keep mine, and of course he doesn't dye his blue. I get my eyes from Mom though, and she gives Bethany a once-over, warmth in her gaze.
Bethany gives a shy smile, leaning into me. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorne."
