Page 39 of Coming Home

When it was finally time to sit down to eat, I saw a few questioning exchanges when Ben sat next to me, but no one came right out and said anything. We made it through dinner without a hitch.

Peyton hadn’t said a word to me or Ben so far, but she kept sending glares my way. Ben caught one of them and I felt his wolf stir. I discreetly moved my hand onto his thigh and he instantly calmed. I bit back a grin knowing I had that kind of power over him.

When dessert was served without a single question or anyone even noticing there was something going on between Ben and me, I saw him grin and wink at the twins sitting across from us. They both scowled in frustration, having been certain they were going to win their bet.

As the boys cleared their dessert plates, all three of them asked to be excused. That’s when Ruby started in on Walker and Ben. She basically began interrogating the two of them until Dad stepped in and told her it was enough.

I could feel Ben’s agitation rising again and a few minutes later everyone started holding their noses and complaining. I glared at Ben.

“It wasn’t me,” he said.

Everyone turned to look at Walker.

“No way was that me. God, it sinks,” he complained.

“You’re the only two unmated males here,” Ruby pointed out. “One of you is clearly trying to claim Shelby.”

“What?” I shrieked. “I smell that stench, too. It’s not for me. I mean if it was, aren’t I supposed to like the smell?”

Ben looked at me in confusion and shrugged. “I swear it’s not me.”

That’s when I heard the giggles from under the table. I pulled my chair back and lifted the tablecloth to find Oscar, Will, and Troy lying on the floor with some kind of aerosol can in their hands. Ben leaned down and snatched one of the cans from Will.

“Can ?O Fart? Really?”

Maddie glared at Liam. “Are you serious?”

“Oscar, that was not to be used at the dining room table. Now get off the floor and apologize to your grandparents for trying to ruin Thanksgiving,” Liam scolded them.

“You two as well,” Ben added.

The boys stood and apologized, but then Will smirked at Ben.

“You guys really thought it was a Ben, didn’t you?” Will asked.

Ruby laughed. “No, we all thought it was Walker. Were you guys the ones that changed the place cards, too? Because we were trying to avoid something like this from actually happening.”

“Why would you think it was Walker?” Oscar asked.

“Oh, sweetie, um, you see, Walker and Aunt Shelby are . . .” Peyton started.

“Friends,” Walker finished. He looked right at Ben, trying to give him reassurance. “We’re just friends.”

Peyton’s face fell and she turned on me. “You said he was definitely not your true mate.”

I dropped my head, knowing my face was likely ten shades redder than usual.

“His wolf hadn’t even come in before he left, Pey,” I said weakly.

Lily burst out laughing. “Oh my God! Are you saying Ben really is your true mate?”

All eyes flew to us. I dared a quick look at Ben. He didn’t seem put off one bit; instead he was grinning proudly and reached for my hand on top of the table to give it an encouraging squeeze.

Mouths dropped open in surprise and the entire room went quiet.

“Is this true?” Dad finally asked.

I sighed. “Yes,” I finally managed to say.

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