Page 123 of Home: Posy 5

"Probably. That's the first real incident I remember, anyway." I shook my head and put my arm around her shoulders. "I've forgiven him so that I could move on, Mama, not because I forgot his behavior. I don't want a relationship with him, but he's going to be our pups' grandfather, and I'd like them to know him. Not the Papa he's been the last few years, though. I want them to know the Papa who taught me to ride a bike and took me fishing."

A sudden memory hit me, and a sad little sigh slipped out as I hugged her.

"I want them to know the Papa who raced to school when I was in third grade and cussed out a teacher for accusing me of cheating on a test. The Papa who believed in me so much, he assured her that his son was too honest and self-respecting to ever cheat onanything."

"That's the Papa I want them to know, too." She nodded against my chest. "In case you were wondering, he's here somewhere, but he's keeping his distance. We can see how happy you are tonight, and he doesn't want to ruin that."

I looked around for him or even Nathan, as that's who he'd be most likely to hang out with. When I didn't see either men or Evie, I looked down at Mama.

"Did Mom and Dad leave already?"

"Your mate arranged for Nathan and Evie to drop Wesley and the heathens off with us so they could come to the art gallery, then swap places so Papa and I could come," she explained. "Nathan and Evie are at our place now. Papa and I will swing by and pick up Nathan and Bridger for the full moon run, and Evie will stay with the boys and baby Isabelle."

"Oh." I nodded. That sounded like something Posy would think to arrange. "And Mom's okay to miss out this month?"

"Posy said she offered to hire a professional human sitter or one of the pack members who didn't care to do the run, but Evie said no. Now that she's older, she doesn't think it's a good idea to do any unnecessary shifts while she's pregnant."

"Aw, Mom's only what? Thirty-nine? Forty?"

"Thirty-seven," Mama laughed. "Two years younger than I am!"

"You don't look a day over thirty, Mama," I teased her, "and much too young to have a son as old as me. The humans here probably think I'm your brother."

"Oh, you!" She slapped my chest as her eyes sparkled and pink flushed her cheeks. "Such a charmer when you want to be. Posy's a lucky girl."

"I'm the lucky one," I disagreed. "Go ahead and link Papa to come over. Might as well say hello."

And get it over with, Garnet snipped.

I ignored him as Papa joined us in a flash, as if he'd just been waiting for me to ask for him.

"How are you, Mason?"

"Doing fine," I kept it simple. "Yourself?"

"Can't complain." He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. "So, do you need any help with the run tonight?"

"Nah, everything's good. Wait until you see what we did so Lark can participate."

"I never thought of that, but yes, a runt wouldn't be able to keep up," he nodded, "no matter how strong and brave her heart is."

The noise level around us suddenly increased, and I got the shock of my life to see King Julian and Queen Lilah enter the gallery. Flanked by betas Luke and Gisela MacGregor, they looked so elegant and powerful that even the humans kept their distance and stared as they whispered behind their hands.

"Wow!" Mama's eyes widened. "Thekingandqueenare here?"

"I didn't know they were coming," I murmured, making a note to have a word with Posy later. I did not like this kind of surprise. "I'd better go greet them. Excuse me."

"Of course, son." Papa gave me a curt nod. "It was good talking to you."

Giving him a short nod of my own, I leaned down and pecked Mama's cheek, then headed over to the royals.

That was the stiffest interaction I've ever seen, Cole murmured through the alpha link as I wove through the crowd.

You were listening?

We all were, my brothers said together, then Wyatt added,We had to make sure you were okay.

I'm fine.

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