by Kelex
“He’s Kai’s uncle. And our boss. We went to live with him when we left Bear Mountain all those years ago. So… he’s family and he’s been good to us—though he can be a bit aggressive. For putting you in that position, I’m sorry.”
Turi nodded. “It’s okay.”
Lane smiled. “I didn’t get a chance to finish what I was saying before Benny interrupted. We’ve got this ceremony tomorrow morning, the one for Gregor’s statue. There’s a lot of family obligations today and tomorrow.”
“I’m happy you have family to spend time with.”
“We’d love to see you at the ceremony,” Lane said. “There’s supposed to be food and activities. I don’t know all that’s planned. But come… if you want. We’ll be there.”
“Will Benny be there?” Turi asked, one brow rising.
“He likely will… but we can keep our distance. And Kai and I will do a better job of keeping an eye out for interruptions.”
Turi smiled. “I don’t know if I can do a big crowd of people.”
Lane nodded. “Sure. I get it. It might be too much. But you’re welcome to come if you want.”
“I appreciate the offer,” Turi murmured before glancing down the street. “I really do need to get going. I’m late.”
Lane nodded. “Of course.”
Turi offered a smile before he left. Lane watched him go for a moment before turning back and heading inside the hotel. Benny was just spinning and stalking from Kai when he walked up.
“What happened?”
Kai turned his head. “Pissing contest. And I think Benny realizes who Turi might be to us.”
“Great.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Kai said. “We get through this weekend. He’ll be gone soon.”
“Eventually we need to tell him we’re coming home.”
“I already did.”
Lane’s eyes widened. “How’d he take it?”
“Not well,” Kai said before fishing out his cell phone and looking at it. “Lovely.”
“What?”
“Declan’s invited the whole family to his house for dinner.”
Lane shook his head, knowing that was the worst idea ever, especially considering the train wreck that had already happened earlier.
“Were you able to catch up with Turi? He okay?”
“Yeah. And I invited him tomorrow to the ceremony,” Lane said.
“You think that’s a good idea?”
Lane shrugged. “I don’t know that he’ll come—but if he does, we need to protect him from our nosy families.”
“Agreed.”
Chapter Fourteen
Declan had no idea why he’d let Ryder and Gage insist on a family dinner at their house, but it was happening. Inside the house that had once been Gregor’s—and Gregor’s father before him—they would host fifteen on top of his own growing family. As he got the last plate on the adult table, he stood back, sensing things would not end well.
He walked into the kitchen where his brother bear was assisting their very pregnant mate with dinner. “We should’ve gone out. I could’ve booked a private room at one of the restaurants for this. No cooking. No clean-up. No hassle.” And we could walk out if shit got too deep.
“The last time our boys and Royce’s trio got together, they nearly set the restaurant on fire. No thank you,” Gage said.
“It wasn’t that bad,” Declan said.
“It was that bad,” Ryder said. “If I hadn’t gotten those matches away from Judah and Jed, they would’ve sparked it up.”
Declan smiled. “Jed just wanted to light the candle on the table.”
“That boy has too much McCreary blood in him,” Ryder barked.
Jed was a far cry from how bad his older brothers had been at that age. And there was something about young Jedidiah McCreary that he liked. Maybe it was the fact it chaffed Royce’s ass to have his eldest cub bound as brother bear to a McCreary.
Although, Royce had warmed up to the boy over the years.
“Boys will be boys,” Declan said.
Ryder gave him the eye before going back to fileting chicken cutlets.
“After dinner, we can send all the boys to their rooms to play and hopefully not burn the house down. You’d better check both Judah and Jed’s pockets before they go,” Gage said. A worried look crept over his face. “You know what? You might be right. Is it too late to change our plans?”
“Too late,” Declan murmured before he leaned down to press a kiss to their omega’s head. Afterward, he reached in to sneak a taste of the sauce cooking in the pan.
Gage slapped his hand away. “You can wait, buster.”
“I’m a growing boy,” Declan cooed, rubbing his semi-hard cock against Gage’s ass. Whenever their omega was close, he was always a little hard. That didn’t help him in some instances. Tonight was going to be hell.
He heard a knock at the door and growled.
“Go. Play nice,” Gage urged.
“And don’t hurt Benny,” Ryder whispered. “Blood isn’t easy to clean up.”
Declan eyed his brother bear. He’d shared his concerns about Benny with both Ryder and Gage. The report he’d already gotten from Kynan wasn’t helping much, either.
They had a snake in their midst.
And he needed to make sure he could cut the head off cleanly—without collateral damage. His relationship with his younger brothers might not survive it.
Luckily, it was only Royce and his family at the door. He breathed a sigh of relief.
Judah and Jedidiah went zooming past.
“Hold up!” Declan roared.
Both youngsters stopped in their tracks and slowly turned to face Declan.
“Empty pockets.”
Both boys looked at each other guiltily before looking back at Declan.
“Don’t worry,” Jared said. “I already confiscated the M-80 they had.”
Declan cast a look at Royce’s brother bear. “Where do two cubs their age get an M-80?”
Both boys tried to sneak away, but Declan shouted another, “Halt!”
They turned.
“Empty. Pockets.” Declan gave his own version of Ryder’s eye.
Both boys reached into their jeans. Judah pulled out a folded-up piece of paper, a pocket knife, and matches. Jed pulled out a small canister of lighter fluid, a rock, and some Mace.
“You little heathens,” Royce spat, grabbing everything out of Jed’s hands while Declan took Judah’s.
“How in the hell did you sneak all that after I checked your pockets?” Jared asked them.
“Stealth?” Jed asked, shrugging.
“If you two cause any damage or bodily harm to anyone in this house, you will answer to me,” Declan told them.
“Yes, my alpha,” both boys yelled in unison before running off to join their cousins.
Carson walked up and looked into Declan’s hands. “Unfold the paper.”
“Why?” Declan said, unfolding it. A naked picture of a guy. “Shit.”
“I don’t know where they’re getting this stuff,” Carson said. “I’ve got a drawer full of their contraband.”
“Jedidiah is a McCreary,” Royce whispered. “It’s in their blood.”
“Glad it’s not my son,” Declan said, unloading his haul into Royce’s hands.
“Thanks,” his brother hissed as another knock came to the door.
Declan sighed before turning to open it.
Benny stood on the other side, a bottle of booze in hand. His brother bear and shebear stood on either side of him. “Thanks for the invite, nephew.”
Declan forced a smile. “Of course. Come in, come in.”
Shoot me now.
* * * *
Kai took another sip of the bourbon Benny had brought, washing down the Chicken Marsala Gage had served. “Dinner was delicious.”
Gage smiled his way. “Why thank you.”
“It was,” Lane added. “Thank you so much for having us.”
“Indeed,” Benny shouted. “The omega can cook!” He took a glare across the table before taking a sip of his bourbon. “On the topic of omegas, why didn’t you invite that handsome omega we met at the hotel?” Benny asked Kai. “I mean, he is your mate, right?”
Everyone at the table looked his way, particularly Declan, who had one brow raised.
“I never said he was our mate,” Kai murmured evenly.
“Oh, well, it was obvious,” Benny said. “I could see it written on both your faces.”
“You’ve found your mate here in the valley?” Declan asked him.
“We think so,” Lane answered when Kai didn’t.
Declan sat back in his chair, eyeing them both.
“So why didn’t you invite him here so we could meet him?” Benny asked.
There was no point in denying anything, not when Lane had practically said yes. “He’s a bit skittish, as you recall,” Kai said, glaring at Benny.
Benny turned to Mary. “This omega ran from me, scared out of his mind. Who’s afraid of me? I’m a teddy bear.”
Mary smiled. “Yeah. Sure you are.”
“What did you do to him, Benny?” Declan asked.
Kai was sure he heard a thread of menace in Declan’s tone.
“I didn’t do nothing,” Benny said. “All I did was put my arm around him and tell him how handsome he was.” Benny turned to his shebear. “And he was handsome. Pretty little omega.” Benny leaned closer to Gage. “Almost as pretty as you,” he said with a wink.
Kai could sense everyone at the table growing uncomfortable.
Benny leaned his way. “So what happens now, Kai? You gonna scoop that sweet little omega up and bring him home to Chicago?”
Kai eyed his uncle. Benny knew full well what their plans were. “No.”
“Oh? Benny asked, lifting his brows.
Kai had seen that look on the man’s face before. It was when he was itching for a fight.
“Our mate, Turi, needs to remain here,” Kai said to everyone at the table. “He’s under a doctor’s care.”
Benny eyed him. “What’s wrong with him?”
“Nothing’s wrong with him,” Lane spat.
“Something’s gotta be wrong with him if he’s under a physician’s watch,” Benny said. “So what is it?”
“Drop it, Benny,” Kai murmured.
“Drop it?” Benny clenched his jaw. “Why? You run out on your responsibilities in Chicago and don’t even call me. Not even to let me know you got here alive? Days pass, I hear nothing from my right-hand man? Then you tell me you’re not coming back to finish the shit you started? That’s not how you repay all the kindnesses I’ve given you over the years.” Benny turned to LJ. “You wouldn’t do that to your uncle, now would you, LJ?”
LJ said nothing, just stared at the table.
Benny banged his hand on the table. “I asked you a question Landon James!”
“Leave them alone, Benny,” Declan said.
“Who are you to tell me what to do with my boys?” Benny asked angrily.
“Your boys?” Declan asked.
“You booted them out and sent them to me. Now you’re pissed they liked me better.”
“Stop it!” Kai roared jumping to his feet. He glared at both Benny and Declan.
Both men sat back in their chairs, silent.
Kai looked at Benny. “I know you had an expectation of me—to take over one day. But I’m afraid that won’t happen.”
Benny shot venom in his stare.
“Between Lane’s papa and our mate, we’ve decided to make Bear Mountain our home again.” Kai looked to LJ, who hadn’t spoken to him since the museum. “Back home. Where we belong.”
LJ was silent.
Kai looked to Declan. “If my brother allows it.”
“You were never exiled,” Declan said. “You and your brother are welcome to come home. Have been for a long time.”
“Now they are. Suddenly the rain clouds have parted and blue skies and birds are chirping,” Benny said, eyeing Lane and Kai. “Just remember who was there through the storms.”
“Enough, Benny,” LJ said. “He’s made his decision. We need to honor it.”
“You, too?” Benny said. “You drank Declan’s Kool-Aid now?”
LJ turned to face Benny. “Leave it be.”
‘What do you mean—my Kool-Aid?” Declan demanded.
“That line of bullshit you got going in the museum. That my brother was some kind of demon. You got this whole den thinking you’re their hero. You got your father killed, Declan. You’re a murderer.”
Declan just stared down the table at Benny, his eyes aglow with a strange, scary light.
“Declan didn’t kill our father,” Kai stated before looking down the table at his brother. He looked back at Benny. “You need to accept Lane and I aren’t coming back.”
Benny grew silent. “Okay.” He rose. “I can see where I’m not welcome.” He urged his brother bear and wife up. “Let’s get out of here. The smell of something rotten is getting to me.” He looked at LJ and Chase. “You comin’?”
LJ shook his head.
Kai saw the ire growing on Benny’s face, but he remained quiet and headed for the door with his family. He watched as Benny and family left the house. He turned to LJ, curious.
“I went and talked to some old friends,” LJ said to Kai. “They opened my eyes about Father.”
Kai released a breath, relieved.
LJ looked down to Declan. “You’ve done something pretty amazing here, brother. This place has changed a lot. For the better.”
Declan smiled slightly and nodded.
“Is anyone going to tell me what the hell just happened?” Royce asked.
Declan chuckled before turning to Royce.
As the two of them shared notes on Benny, Lane turned to Kai. “I suppose this means we’re officially home.”
Kai smiled. “I guess so. We just need to get through tomorrow’s ceremony and send Benny and company back to Chicago.”
“One more day.”
Chapter Fifteen
The following morning, Lane watched the crowd with baited breath. He didn’t think Turi would come, but he still held on to hope. A huge crowd filled the quad. There was a carnival atmosphere, with games, small rides, and food vendors. Vehicular traffic had been cut off on the roads immediately surrounding the quad, allowing for foot traffic.
Lane held on to his warm cider, letting the heat seep into his cool hands. He and Kai remained close to the hotel, so they could both keep watch. From their spot, they could see a lot of familiar faces moving through the crowd. A few bears came up to say hello—but Lane was impressed by the number of new faces he saw there.
All of them there to celebrate with the den.
Even with those new faces, it didn’t feel less than homey. He was happy for it, especially if they were now to make their home there.
A smile came to his face.
They could be a family and build a life there in Bear Mountain.
After saying hello to Red, Quentin, Paul, and their assorted family, Lane saw another familiar face.
Turi’s.
The shifter slowly ambled over, looking a little overwhelmed.
“Hi,” Lane said. He glanced Kai’s way and saw his brother bear’s broad smile. Turning back to Turi, he shared the same toothy grin. “I’m glad you made it out.”
“A lot of people,” Turi said before sidling up beside Lane to people watch.
“Too much?” Kai asked.
Turi shook his head. “Not yet. But I can’t say I won’t skip out after a while. I’m not into crowds.”
“Who is?” Kai stepped off the curb and moved to the other side of Turi—deflecting someone who was moving too close to Turi. He and Lane were then bookends protecting their omega. Lane gave Kai a look, who then nodded that they were simpatico.
Turi looked between them. “What’s with the knowing glances?”
Caught. Lane shrugged.
“We just want to make sure you’re enjoying yourself.”
Turi looked between them. “As if I can’t sense the two of your hovering?”
“Too much?” Lane asked.
Turi smiled slightly. “The fact it’s keeping people away from me, no. But I’ll let you know.”
Lane grinned. He was letting them protect him in a small way. It wasn’t huge. But it damned well felt huge.
“Hungry?” Kai asked their omega.
“Nah,” he said. “I just grabbed some breakfast.”
Lane watched the crowd again, feeling a sense of pride coming over him that their mate was standing at their side. They might not have won him over completely yet, but it was a start. He’d come out—in a space he didn’t find comfortable—to be with them. “Thanks for coming,” Lane murmured.
Turi looked his direction and shrugged. “I was curious about the hoopla.”
“Ookay,” Lane said.
“What?” Turi asked.
Lane looked down at him. “You wanted to be where we were.”
Turi’s face reddened, but he didn’t look away. “Is it a problem if I did?”
“Hell no,” Kai answered before he could.
A small podium had been raised near the statue, and a familiar looking bear hopped up and checked the microphone before announcing, “Can Gregor’s immediate family come closer to the statue?”
Lane eyed Kai, worried. He didn’t want to leave Turi, and he wasn’t sure Turi would come. “I’ll stay here. You go.”
“No,” Kai said turning to Turi. He offered his palm to their omega. “My family comes with me.”
Turi stared at that hand a moment before slowly sliding it into Kai’s. Lane could sense his concern, so he placed a calming hand on Turi’s shoulder. “We’re both here. You’ll be fine.”
Kai led them through the crowd, Turi in hand. People opened up a path for them, staring as they passed. There would be no way to deny things now. Kai has just branded Turi as theirs in front of all of Bear Mountain.
Not that it was necessarily a bad thing.
As they approached the dais, Lane saw Benny and family—as well as Royce and his, and LJ and Chase moving in. Declan and his brood got there first and took the microphone away from Tyler McCreary—Lane finally recognized.