Page 35 of Two Wrong Turns

Thank Fate for bringing him here.

Two days later,my parent’s rental ambled up the driveway as my mate squeezed my hand tightly.

I could feel the worry pulsing through our bond. He was a nervous wreck, though on the outside, he wore a smile that was meant to charm.

It was his artist smile as I had come to learn. I only knew because he had made it when talking on a video call to his agent a couple of weeks back. I had managed to catch the tail end of the conversation, and I’d called him out for the extremely fake expression.

He told me that sometimes, he had to put on a face even when he wasn't in the mood. When I asked him if he'd ever done so with me, he scoffed and said that he never had to fake anything with me.

“Going to love you,” I repeated to my mate.

He nodded, his smile remaining in place as my parents parked and climbed from the car.

My mother took off using her shifter speed as she approached. I stepped in front of Barrett and put a hand up.

“Easy, Mom. Baby on board,” I reminded her.

She stopped as she reached me. Then pushed me aside and gently wrapped Barrett in a hug. “Oh you're so precious. Such a perfect little mate for our Nolan. The Fates have blessed us.”

Barrett gently wrapped his arms around her and patted her back. His eyes were wide as he looked over her shoulder at me.

Dad and I laughed silently, knowing just how powerful Mom could be. Dad clapped me on the back and winked. “Congrats, son. I think you're going to make a great dad.”

My heart swelled at the praise he so easily gave me. My parents were my biggest supporters and though they didn't live in town anymore, they still checked in with me often.

Them being back was going to be an adventure, not only with a baby living in our space, which was going to be an adjustment for all of us, but I had a feeling that they wouldn't be turning around and leaving as soon as the baby was born.

I wouldn't be surprised if they were already in the market for a house close by.

When Mom finally let go of Barrett, his smile was a bit more genuine. Whatever she said to him while I was talking to Dad must have eased the rest of his worry, or at least the majority of it.

We switched over, and I got to hug Mom. She gave me a bone-crushing squeeze as Dad pulled Barrett into a quick pat.

He knew how my inner beast would feel with another man's scent on him. Even though it was my father, the animalistic side of me didn't understand.

It only wanted to protect and defend.

Mom wasn't a threat because she was so obviously female.

Like I said, it didn't make much sense. Hindbrain and all that.

Besides, Dad wasn't the overly affectionate type. Mom was though, which is why she looped her arm through mine and then dragged me up to the house while motioning for my mate and my father to follow us.

“You have to tell me everything. I want to know the story from the beginning.”

I groaned. “Mom, I've already told you everything. There's nothing new.”

Barrett snorted a laugh, then tried to cover it with a cough.

Mom turned to him. “Will you tell it then, Barrett? I would love to get your perspective since my son is not a very descriptive storyteller.”

“Mom, just because I gave you the high points doesn't mean I'm not descriptive. You don't need a four-hour story about how things went.”

In a surprising move, Barrett stepped forward and put his hand on my shoulder to gently push me away. He didn't have near enough strength to do it, but I moved just the same.

He slipped his arm over Mom's and tucked her hand into his elbow, then led her over to the couch. He motioned for her to sit and then he eased himself down beside her.

“Well, if you want to know the story, I'll tell you my perspective all day long. I love our story.”

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