Page 12 of Whisper Woods

I squat down at her knee, and she settles back into the overstuffed recliner. Dad bought a few of them specifically for the senior pack members, to make sure they are comfortable at pack events. Garret and O’Brien are currently snoozing in the other two.

“You’re looking good Nanna. They been taking care of you?” Nanna lives in a seniors facility that specialises in being care. It can be tricky when beings get old, they can lose control of their powers and many need specialised assistance. The pack pays for the very best, though.

“Of course, darling. But the food’s rubbish.” I huff out a laugh, rolling myeyes.

“Of course it is Nanna. Mum will fix you up today.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Her pale eyes narrow at me. “You haven’t been sleeping again have you?”

Nanna was one of the few pack members that never made fun of me as a kid for being different. Nanna B just said I was a big kid with big energy and equally big emotions and I’d find my way eventually. And after I learnt how to hide all the stuff that bubbles up inside, she’s the only one that really saw through it all.

“I’m all good Nanna. Don’t you worry about me.”

Nanna B just scoffs, waving me off. “Don’t tell me what to do young man. If I want to worry about you, I will.”

“Seff, darling! When did you arrive?” Mum interrupts before we can bicker anymore. Nanna winks at me as I stand and turn to face Mum, pulling a blanket into her lap and shutting her eyes. Mum tugs me into a tight squeezing hug, before pushing me back to give me a quick once over.

“Just now, just saying hi.” I wave to Nanna who is now faking being asleep. Or I think she’s faking. At her age she falls asleep pretty quickly.

I obviously pass Mum’s inspection because she wraps her arm around my waist. She's tall, but not quite tall enough to reach around my shoulders.

“Excellent, come join us for mimosas before they lay claim to you outside. Matty has plans to nag you into helping him paint his nursery.” I let her lead me over to her friends.

“Shouldn’t be a problem Mum, I’ll catch him later and let him know.” I’ve been doing a lot of work over at the Black Stump, helping Theo and Roan, but that is wrapping up so I’ve got a bit more free time. In theory, anyway.

And Matty is pack, so he should be the priority. Even knowing that, I can still feel the weight of the expectation in my spine, accompanied with the familiar flush of guilt at my reluctance. Ever since Dad got the role of top dog in the pack, there have been far too many eyes on me. I’m not even his number two, but it’s always there, lurking in the background, this idea that I’m somehow lining up to be his heir. Hard pass. The hardest pass.

Even the idea of taking over the pack sets off my hair trigger fight or flightreflex hard enough to have me looking up flights to the other side of the world.

“Seff! How are you? Been seeing anyone special lately?” Aunt Margerie kicks off as soon as I reach their group.

“Actually, Margerie.” I lean in, conspiratorially. “I’ve been on dates. Like real ones.” The tidbit causes a ripple of excitement to go around the island as they all talk over each other to get more information and offer up every gay, bi or pan single man they have ever crossed paths with.

“Have you had any second dates, though?” It’s Tam, Mum’s best friend that cuts through to get to the real questions, a faux-stern look on her face.

At some point my leg started bouncing again. It must be irritating Mum, because she reaches over, placing a gentle hand on my back, giving me the subtle head shake she does when I can’t keep my body under control. I make sure to stand up a little straighter so it’s less tempting to fidget.

“Alas, Tam, so far I have not.” I clutch a hand to my heart with a dramatic sigh, drawing out a laugh from the ladies around me.

“So how, exactly, is this different to hooking up with every cute boy you see like a kid at a candy store?” Ouch, Mum. And I thought you loved me. I continue my wounded act, falling with a pretend sob onto Delilah’s shoulder next to me. She takes full delight in the opportunity to cop a feel of my biceps as she pats my arm.

“Mother, youwound me. Here, I am, devastated in my loneliness and—”

“Oh, enough of that,” Mum laughs, shaking her head and wrapping her arm around my waist for a quick, squeezing side hug.

I can see the questions in her eyes that she can’t ask with everyone around. Is this because of what happened in the Woods? Is this because my ex Caelan returned with not just a mate, but abondedmate? Like, not only are they magically connected, they’ve bound their lives, spirits, and magic together. It’s a pretty massive commitment that they managed to pull off by accident. It’s kind of impressive, to be honest.

I have told my parents the bare bone facts about what occurred in Marieth’s cottage; it was that or have them believe the idiotic rumours that somehow made their way through the beings of the Woods, but she knows there’s moreI haven’t told her.

“Well, if you’re interested, I have a very lovely nephew.” Another friend offers and I wince internally, because if it’s the nephew I am thinking of, Ihavemet him. And he wasn’t very nice. Not nice at all in fact.

He was dirty.

In the very best ways.

I clear my throat and drain the last of my mimosa.

“Uh, I have another date next weekend, but if that doesn’t workout, maybe I’ll hit you all up. I better go see Dad.” With one last wink, I leave the island and head out the opened sliding doors to the patio. A beer is pressed into my hand, and I keep hold of it, because otherwise I’ll just get offered another one.

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