Page 31 of The Alpha Grizzly's Mate

“Only the bodyguards, and I’ll make them stay in the car.” Even six months ago, I’d have sworn he’d never concede like that.

“And what are their orders exactly?” Staying in the car wasn’t enough. I knew full well that having a gun in a car didn’t stop it from being used on people outside the car.

“They only draw if people from outside the den come to threaten us. That is it. They know their life is on the line if they touch them at any other time.”

I believed my father. He was a dick, but he wasn’t going to ruin things with his grandson. When it came to the safety of Seth, he would do anything. He was already a better grandfather to him than he’d ever been a father to me.

“All right. We’ll be down in a little bit.”

“Maybe bring the cubs?” It had taken a while, but he finally understood that those cubs were my family. That didn’t mean they were his. Not after what he’d done. Some things were never to be forgiven.

“No. It’s way too soon for that.” And probably always would be.

I wasn’t sure if they’d ever seen him when they were captive, but I wasn’t going to take a chance on triggering any memories for them. We would unpack that when the time came.

“Hey, who are you talking to?” My mate stood there with a basket of sandwiches. How had I missed his approach?

“Oh, it was my dad. He’s here. He wants to see Seth for a few minutes.”

“He’s not allowed on the property.” On that, Levi would never falter, and I was glad for it. It gave me the strength to keep my father in his place and not cower or cave in a moment of weakness.

“I know that. You know that. He knows that. He’s at the edge, hoping we could bring Seth to him.”

“And you feel he’s safe?”

“Yeah. I think with his old age and nearly losing me in his life, he’s finally figuring out the value of family.”

“I trust you.” He kissed me, letting it linger, then rubbed his cheeks against both of mine as his hands ran up and down my back.

My overprotective alpha was marking me with his scent, making no room for doubt in my father’s mind that I was his.

And I liked it. No. That was a lie. I loved it.

We picked up Seth and asked Aunt Patty to watch the kids, which she was more than excited to do, and we walked to the corner of the pack lands where we knew my dad was waiting.

I was surprised to see that he was wearing jeans and aProud Grandpashirt. Nothing about his appearance represented the father I knew, which was good because there wasn’t much I liked about that version of him, either.

“Hi. How are you?” He made no move, standing perfectly still in his spot.

“We’re good. You look…grandfatherly.”

“So I’ve been told.” He beamed.

“I don’t know if he’s going to want to go to you, but if he doesn’t, don’t take it personally. It’s kind of the age.” Generally speaking, he loved everyone, but that everyone included all the people in our pack and our friends. My father fit into neither of those categories.

“It’s fine.” He smiled. “You might not believe it, but I remember those days.”

It would still break his heart to be rejected by our sweet boy, even if it was developmentally appropriate.

Seth went to him willingly, though, cooing away.

“He looks like your grandfather.”

“I know. I see it too.” I missed the man.

“Look at you, Seth, growing so big. One day, one day, you’re gonna get to decide if this is what you want or if my life is what you want. But, unlike with your father, I’m not gonna push.”

Maybe he had learned his lesson, or at least part of one.

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