Page 80 of Bound By Pain
“Mine,” he teases, licking my throat before he steps away. Heat sears between us, as hot as the oven he’s pulling trays of pasta from.
As much as I love my family, dinner cannot end soon enough.
“So, Shiloh, how old are you?” Mom asks after we’ve all sat down at the table. Of course, her first question is about the twenty-year age gap between us.
“Mom!”
“What? I’m not judging; I’m just curious.”
Shiloh places his hand over mine and squeezes, lips tilting up at the corner when I turn to look at him. The gray at his temples has spread over the past few months, leaving him with a salt and pepper look that makes my knees weak. Within the next year, he will be fully silver. My silver fox.
“I’m forty-two,” he tells them. “Early graying runs in my family.”
“I was simply curious. So long as you treat Bea right, we don’t care how big the age gap between you is.” Mom grins, looking at each of my mates.
Their inquisition continues. Digging into my mates’ careers and families as we enjoy the wonderful spread of food Shiloh’s chef prepared for us. Only Ridley is spared their questions since he had already passed their inspection when we visited my family home last summer.
Our phones chime, bringing the conversation to a halt. My hands shake as I grab the device from my pocket, worried to hear the results of the Pastor’s trial.
“The jury found him guilty,” my Alpha father, Phoenix, announces. We all let out a collective sigh of relief. Omen’s father is going to prison. For a very long time, given the charges against him.
“Thank the Fates.”
Orion slips his hand onto my knee, rubbing gently. I relax, enjoying the chaotic presence of my parents now that I don’t have the weight of concern for my bestie on my shoulders.
Later, I’ll call her to see how she feels. I know the trial has been stressful for her. Being dragged through the mud for protecting yourself is utter horseshit and would stress anyone out.
Ridley and Creed are wrapped in a thrilling conversation with one of my dads about the upcoming baseball season. Their exuberance has me biting back a groan. I have a feeling I’m going to be watching the games with them. Not exactly my idea of a good time, but I could always just nap between them. That sounds lovely!
Orion has been cornered by my Omega father, who is asking him about the myriad of tattoos on his body. I should probably tell Mom, given the sparkle in Dad’s eye as he studies thedifferent ink, but I don’t. He’s an adult. If he wants to sneak off to get a tattoo, who am I to stop him?
My father stands at the door to the balcony, quietly conversing with Lex. Their stoic personalities mesh well together, even if they are wildly different people. Lex is much grumpier than my Alpha father. Maybe because he doesn’t have a bond to temper him the way my parents do.
“We’re proud of you,” Mom tells me, sliding onto the couch beside me. Her shoulder bumps into mine, and she smiles. “The pack you’re creating, your career, everything you’ve accomplished. You’re an incredible person, and we are lucky to have you as a daughter.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I lean my head against her and watch our packs interact. This is the future I always imagined when I was growing up. A house full of laughter and love. The only things missing are Omen, her mates, and whatever children we have in the future.
“I’m proud of myself, too.”
The bed in my new room is like a cloud. It’s so soft I sink into the plush material. Which is perfect for lazing around during a video call.
My door opens, Ridley sauntering in wearing only a pair of dark gym shorts. Fates, I am one lucky Omega. Licking my lips, I watch as he crawls across the bed to lean over me, pressing a way too brief kiss to my lips.
“Come here,” he tells me, flopping onto the bed beside me and holding one arm out. I scoot closer, leaning my head on his shoulder.
Before I can react, he has his phone hovering over both of us, a video call connecting on the screen. Five feeds appear on the screen with a myriad of faces. Seeing his little sister, Sage, I realize this must be the rest of his family.
Subtly, I reach over and pinch his nipple hard. A punishment for springing a family meeting on me when I was unprepared. Wearing nothing but an oversized shirt was not how I imagined introducing myself for the first time.
“Oh, Ridley James, she’s beautiful!”
At the sudden influx of compliments, my face heats until I’m sure I look like a tomato. They’re all talking, asking questions I can’t follow. It’s a little overwhelming, but I can certainly see where my Alpha mate gets his energy from.
“Alright, chill! At least long enough for me to introduce you all.”
“You should have done this one by one instead of throwing her into the middle of this zoo,” Sage quips, giving me a little wave.
I return the gesture, then turn my attention to Ridley as he introduces his parents and sisters. I remember bits and pieces about them. Stories he’s shared with me. Each one soaked in pride, even when he was frustrated with them.
