Page 68 of Culture and Curiosities
I was going to tell him something but my body was alternating between heavy and so light I was like a cloud, and words were just too hard.
“I love you too, sweet boy.”
Nuzzling against me, Daddy made soft, soothing sounds and sent warmth through the bond that soaked into every part of me.
“Yes, my mate. That’s my love filling you.”
Filling me.
Owning me.
Loving me.
Chapter 18
Toman
“I don’t care if this isn’t the right place, he tattled on me.” Wren’s behavior was beyond what I understood to be reasonable, but I did not have siblings or even cousins to help me understand the situation. “Gentle parenting is for good boys. He was not good.”
He was also not a boy under the definition of the lifestyle I was coming to understand.
“We can’t assume bad intentions, my mate. Weren’t those the words you gave me at the bookstore?” I was fairly certain there were a variety of situations where bad intentions could be assumed, but he had been confident in his assertion.
“That’s not the point.” His whispered words stopped as Pierce approached our table, looking confused but recognizing me. “Daddy, this is my cousin Pierce.”
Making the correct greeting, I held out my hand. “It is good to meet you again.”
He looked appropriately suspicious.
Clearly he was just as smart as my mate.
“Good to meet you again.” Glancing back and forth between us, Pierce seemed to be processing the situation as we ate our breakfast. “Merritt has a meeting with the other medical peopleon the council. Do you mind if I join you guys? I don’t trust him alone in the diner.”
That was understandable.
“It’s no problem.” Ha. I used that correctly. “The diner men are already discussing toys not appropriate for public viewing, so your concern is warranted.”
Something about my statement must’ve been off because his focus became more intense. “They make questionable decisions.”
The way he glanced at Wren indicated he was also one to make questionable decision. However, it was unfortunately not the day to have implied that. My mate was being feisty as the diner men had learned when they tried topat the birdieon his head.
“At least I’m not a tattletale.” He glared at Pierce, fierce and predatory…a bird of prey and not the prey. “Want to explain why my mother called at six this morning asking me about my behavior?”
Her interruption had been poorly timed.
Blinking, Pierce frowned making me think he was confused, but my mate disagreed with that based on his mental grumbling.
“Looking stupid isn’t going to get him out of this.”
“Well, that would explain mine texting me at seven wanting to know what was going on.” Pierce shrugged, not looking guilty. “I played dumb since I wasn’t sure what she was talking about and it didn’t seem to be about Merritt.”
Did him playing dumb earlier indicate he was doing it now?
“She wanted to know what kind of costume party I’d gone to and who I was with.” Wren was still highly upset about that topic, but Pierce did not seem to understand what was going on. “What did you tell her?”
If she’d told him he looked cute or any positive words, I don’t think he would’ve been as angry. Unfortunately, her wording and tone had been negative. My mate was an adorable squirrel and he resented not being able to explain that.
“Nothing.” Looking more awake and less distracted by who I was, Pierce studied the rest of the room. “I’ve been avoiding both of them and your mother stalks people better than mine. Someone else complained about you being a squirrel in public.”
