Page 60 of Forbidden Devotion
His heart beat a little fast as he knocked on their door.
His father tugged it open and smiled. “Evening, Sinclair.”
“Hi, Dad.”
“What brings you here so early?” Luther stepped aside to allow Sinclair’s entry. “We were sure you’d be swarmed with admirers all evening after the incredible speech you gave last night.”
He flushed. “I haven’t been out. Had about as much of that as I can take last night.”
“We know. We kept an eye on you all evening. You were swamped every time we looked your way.”
His mother called from farther inside. “We’re so proud of you, honey. You were wonderful up there.” She joined them and greeted him with a hug and a kiss.
“Thank you.” Sinclair wished he’d come for a simple visit. Just to catch up. Hang out. But this couldn’t wait. Mitchel was telling his uncle. So Sinclair must tell his parents. “Look, I need to tell you something. Can we maybe sit down?”
“Of course.” His mother led them to the generic hotel furniture. “You sound serious. What’s on your mind?”
They all took a seat, and Sinclair sucked in a steadying breath. “Do you remember Mitchel? The alpha wolf I road here with? He gave the first speech last night.”
His parents nodded in unison.
When he didn’t continue right away, his father spoke. “He spoke well. If you insist on living among werewolves, at least it’s good you have a rational alpha managing things.”
Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.
“Yes, he’s a very good alpha. His pack loves him.” Sinclair flinched and confessed in a rush. “And so do I.”
For a moment, his parents only stared, blinking, while Sinclair tried not to squirm in his seat.
“Sinclair,” his mother said his name very slowly. “What do you mean?”
“I wanted to tell you in person. That’s why I didn’t say anything over the phone. I’m seeing him,” he blurted out. “Romantically.” It felt good to have it in the open, regardless of what might come next.
His parents glanced at each other. Their silence was deafening, but Sinclair knew better than to fill it. He’d let them collect their thoughts for as long as they needed. He forced himself not to look away, even though it was tempting. His heart was beating a mile a minute. It had been a long time since Sinclair had thrown up, and he was hoping to keep it that way, but the butterflies in his stomach were turning cartwheels.
Finally, his mother broke the quiet. “You’re serious.”
Sinclair nodded solemnly. “Yes, Mother, I’ve never felt so strongly about anyone in my life.”
“You love him?”
“Very much.” Sinclair had known this for some time, but saying it was new. He hadn’t worked up the courage to tell Mitchel. It felt…precious somehow. He didn’t want to screw it up.
His mother sighed. His father seemed to be reserving judgment, letting her take the lead.
“You realize this is dangerous, Sinclair? Have you thought of that?” she asked.
Sinclair had expected questions, but not that one. “Um, no? It doesn’t feel dangerous.”
“Well, no, I imagine it doesn’t. But Mitchel isn’t just any werewolf. He’s an Edgehill. Next in line to lead the other alphas. Has he told his uncle?”
“He’s telling Ramsey now. He didn’t seem worried. They have a good relationship.”
“They might, but the Edgehill clan is known for quarrels with our kind, some of them deadly. They blame us for their early blunders in the modern world. Despite the progress made last night, old rivalries do not mend so simply.”
Sinclair rarely saw his mother this serious. He didn’t know how to respond. “Ramsey wants peace. Mitchel told me so.”
“Wanting peace is a far cry from mating with the enemy,” she said. “Sinclair, you have surprised us with this news. I’m torn between my desire to protect you above all things and my desire to see you happy. Are you sure about this?”
