Page 52 of Run Free

“Okay. Would you two like to come inside to talk?” he finally offered.

They hesitated, but I could see that hope flare a little brighter. Without a word they joined hands and walked towards us. I had a quick mental panic, thinking through the condition of the house. I always did a quick clean before leaving, and while I hadn’t this time, we weren’t home long enough to really mess anything up. Feeling relieved for that, I opened the door and led everyone inside.

“I’m afraid we’ve been out of town and don’t really have much of anything to offer. I think there’s a couple of cold beers left in the fridge, maybe a Coke or two, and water. I can open a bottle of wine if you’d prefer, but it won’t be chilled,” I volunteered.

“We’re fine, don’t fret,” his mother said.

“Cold beer sounds perfect,” his father said at the same time.

I laughed. “Okay.” I left the room and Gage followed me.

I gave him a look and he shook his head. “Don’t leave me alone with them,” he mouthed.

I giggled and stretched up to kiss his lips. He immediately began to calm.

It turned out I had exactly four beers left, so I grabbed them all plus a bottle opener and walked back to the living room where his parents were waiting. I smiled politely, opening the first and handing it to his dad.

“Thank you, uh. . .”

“Clara,” I offered.

“Clara. That’s a lovely name.”

“Thanks.”

“I must say I was shocked when your Alpha called to inquire about my son. He only told me that he was mating a member of his pack, but you bear a striking resemblance to your former Pack Mother. Any relation?”

I smiled. “That’s my mom. Thomas is my little brother. We’re all still adjusting to his new title.”

He nodded. “I thought that might be the case the moment I saw you. You are the spitting image of Cora at your age.”

“I hear that a lot, actually,” I said. “So I guess you know my parents.”

“We know them very well,” his mother said. “Your mother and I bonded a great deal when Madelyn disappeared. Unfortunately, we had a lot in common.”

“You don’t have to put on an act,” Gage said. “Clara knows exactly what happened and why I left the pack.

“What happened that night was terrible, Gage, but don’t you think just maybe your mother and I changed because of it? We aren’t the same people you remember. Your mom confessed to me everything that had been happening.”

“For years, Dad. She was never loyal to you. Why would you think she’d change?” I asked.

“I know your mother, Gage. There was a coup threatening to overtake the pack. My pack. We still don’t know exactly who was behind it, but we know Mick was somehow involved. Your mother did what she thought she had to do to get inside and find out what was really happening. That night—that terrible night, she thought she was finally going to bring an end to it all, but you and Mark weren’t supposed to be a part of that. I’m so sorry, son.”

Gage was silent beside me. I hugged his arm for encouragement.

“I don’t even know what to think. That’s crazy, Dad. It’s all insane and doesn’t make any sense to me.”

“I know. But you have to understand, burying your brother, and then losing you, too, just about killed us both. Maybe too much time has passed for us to even consider having a relationship at this point, but we had to see you for ourselves. We just wanted to know that you’re okay,” he said.

“And happy,” his mother added. “Are you happy, Gage?”

He looked over at me and smiled. “I am now.”

“Look at them, Daniel,” his mother gushed.

“I take it you’ll be completing the bond then?” he asked.

I scrunched my nose in confusion. I didn’t understand why Thomas hadn’t already sent out the notice of our mating. His father should have been notified.

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