Where Foxes Hunt with Wolves - K.A. Merikan Page 0,153
out that only the women of the pack had come, but no. Big, bulky men led the way, and as soon as they came closer to the lamps scattered around the fox sanctuary, Radek even recognized some of the faces from the confrontation two months ago. His heart rattled for all the wrong reasons, and despite being the host, he felt like a tiny fox facing a pack of hungry wolves that could turn against him at any moment.
Fortunately he had one predator at his side, squeezing his sweaty hand.
“Welcome, Father,” Yev said in Ukrainian and nodded as the older werewolf approached with a stern expression, noble despite wearing a casual outfit of jeans and a hoodie. “This is my mate, Radek,” he said, as was the custom during a formal introduction.
The silence that ensued following that statement had Radek choking on air. The werewolves and their mates went perfectly still, to the point where the wood breaking down in the fire was the most prominent sound, but the alpha exhaled and graced him with his attention.
“Welcome to the pack. May the Moon-Eyed God bless you and my son,” he said, meeting Radek’s gaze with eyes that were as bright as Yev’s.
Radek was sure he’d been sniffed.
He had to let go of Yev’s hand to extend his to Yev’s father, but despite the wariness still there, the pack alpha, and his… father-in-werewolf-law pulled Radek into a strong hug.
He definitely was as brawny as Yev and could have twisted Radek’s head off if he’d wanted to, but there was nothing menacing about the hug, so Radek relaxed, breathing in the scent of fur and tobacco that clung to Yev’s father.
“Thank you. All that is mine is now ours,” he recited what Yev had taught him was the thing to say for a mate invited into the pack, even if it didn’t actually mean Radek was about to give away the deeds to his house.
But it meant loyalty, and he trusted it would be mutual.
The alpha pulled away, holding Radek at arms’ length, and this time there was a faint smile gracing his tough yet noble features. His gaze darted to Yev moments later, and father and son touched their foreheads, standing next to Radek while the pack waited.
Yev’s father stepped back, and his chest expanded when he took a deep breath. “We welcome you!”
The same words were repeated by a choir of firm, masculine voices three times, and Radek felt his ears redden as Yev pulled him aside so their guests could enter. His heart pounded so fast he was getting lightheaded, but that firm hug, however brief, left him unexpectedly touched. He’d really gained a new family, so maybe it didn’t matter that he might never meet any of his fox relatives.
He had warned Mother, Mrs. Irena, and Iga that Yev’s family lived by a set of local traditions which might seem strange to outsiders, but he suspected none of them understood the exchange anyway. Mom appeared tired earlier, so he assumed Mrs. Irena would be driving her home soon, but neither of them would miss out on a chance to meet Radek’s in-laws.
Once the strange formalities were over, the guests poured into the sanctuary and toward the tables stacked with food. No longer keeping their voices down, older men jokingly argued who would get the hog’s head, and a group of women was already asking where they could see all the foxes.
Only now, Radek spotted that a whole bunch of children had been brought as well, and knowing how precious those were to the pack, he had to smile. Their presence meant trust.
“My brother told me he likes Iga,” Yev whispered into Radek’s ear. It was so unexpected he flinched, instantly searching for his friend in the crowd of guests scattering around the cleaned-up yard.
“Say what?”
“You heard me. How about we ask him to help her with the hog?” Yev whispered with a wide smile that spoke of relief while everyone congregated around the fire.
Olek couldn’t have been as shy as Yev had suggested, because when Radek found Iga by the roast, the guy was already there, offering to carve the meat for her. This would be either the fulfillment of Iga’s dream about a smart and sensitive mountain man, or a disaster. Only time would tell.
Radek’s mom left before the party went into full swing. Her meeting with Yev's parents had been somewhat stiff but Rome hadn’t been built in a day.