Page 1 of The Griffin, the Tiger, and Their House Cat Omega

Chapter One

Allen

When I finished with the last email on my list and fulfilled their requests, I leaned back in my chair rubbing at my temples. I stretched out my arms and legs, sighing out loud. It had been a long day. I’d been at my desk six hours straight with no break.

I got up and headed to the kitchen to make my favorite end-of-the-day drink: orange juice on the rocks.

Just then, I heard the crunching of footsteps in the snow just outside the window. A man wearing a black parka and sweatpants, shoulders hunched for warmth, approached my door.

Dad coming to check on me.

I went to the door and opened it before he could even raise his arm and knock. “Hey, Dad. Your timing is perfect. I just finished work for the day.” I did most of it from home managing the accounts of other griffin shifters. A glorified freelance accountant, that’s what I was. I had my license. I could go anywhere. But I was encouraged to remain among my pack members very untrusting of outsiders. Especially with things pertaining to money, investments, and taxes.

“Allen. It was so quiet all day back here. I knew you were working, but I didn’t even see you come out for a break.”

“It’s cold out there.”

Dad laughed, brushing a little ice off his shoulders and stomping his boots before walking into my cabin. He was a handsome guy. Long legs and dark hair. I liked to think I was just like him in attitude and tone. Plus—I hoped—maybe handsome as well.

“And,” I added. “I like to work in complete silence.”

Dad huffed. “Just seems a little lonely to me. You need to get out more. You’re almost twenty-eight years old. And handsomest of all my sons. You shouldn’t be alone.”

“I’m your only son. And I’m not alone, Dad. I’ve got you.”

Dad undid his jacket and hung it up on the hook by the door. He was the one who got me addicted to orange juice on the rocks, so I made him one as well, and we settled on my couch.

“It’s just too quiet out here for a young boy like you,” Dad said. “I keep saying you should move back into the main house.

“I like it out here,” I said.

On the end table, my phone chimed. I picked it up and saw a text from Christopher.

Im free tonight. I’ve got a couple of steaks. EZ to just heat up the barbie and plop them on even though it looks like it’s going to snow a lot later.

Quickly, I texted back,Sorry, can’t. Having dinner with Dad tonight. Everything is already made.

I didn’t addMaybe next time, orHow about later?Or other things one might say to a part-time lover. Plus, I outright lied about dinner. I really wanted to cut things off completely but didn’t have the courage to say it to his face. Or in text.

Christopher was nice. And a griffin shifter. A safe bet. But I didn’t love him. He wanted more, and it wasn’t fair to him or to me to make him think this might lead to a family someday. Plus, I was restless for something different, something new.

Christopher texted back immediately,Say hi to your dad for me.

I knew him well. We’d gone to high school together. That overly polite, succinct reply meant that he was quite disappointed, if not downright pissed. I’d been putting him off for weeks.

I set my phone aside without replying.

I looked up at Dad who was watching me through slitted eyes.

“That was Christopher,” I said. “He says to tell you hi.”

“Are you going out tonight?”

“Nope. I told him I was having dinner with you.”

“Wait, do we have plans?”

“Not yet. But if you want to go down to the Gold Mine, I’ll buy. I’m craving one of their juicy mushroom burgers with a side of loaded mashed potatoes.”

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