Technical Threat (Westin Force #4) - Julie Trettel Page 0,74
an insurance adjuster in Boston. He married my step-mom shortly after he and my mother divorced when I was still little. They never had any kids. He had never intended to have children at all. I think Shay tricked him into that.”
“Is he a shifter?”
“Yes ma’am, a fox shifter. His wife is human though. Dad believes that being a shifter is a bit of a curse and he wanted our line to die with him. He’s a good man though. Solid, reliable, everything that Shay wasn’t. I spent a few weeks with him over summer breaks growing up, but we’ve never been exceptionally close.”
“Well, I hope he doesn’t think that line dies with you either. I know you’re newly mated, but I won’t hide my desire to fill this house with great-grandpups.”
I snorted. “I think that’s a little premature.”
She gave me a knowing smirk. “Perhaps.”
The word rolled off like a warning more than an agreement.
“I’ve never really given a thought to having kids one way or another. My parents weren’t very supportive though and my dad was never around which was hard. Tarron’s work seems to take him away a lot which wouldn’t be very conducive for pups.”
She frowned. “That’s not even the same thing.”
I shrugged. I didn’t agree with that. To a kid I doubted they would see the difference. I wasn’t sure I could see the difference. I’d been at least emotionally abandoned by just about everyone close to me. Why should Tarron be any different?
I tried not to let that thought dampen the mood. I hung out with Nonna and enjoyed our visit and getting to know her better. She sure was a spitfire. I loved it. She was everything a grandmother should be, and I thought it was sad that she had never been able to have pups herself.
I stuck around for dinner and helped her clean up before saying goodbye and driving to the address Kelsey had sent me.
I stopped in front of the rancher and struggled to make myself get out of the car. I wasn’t one who went to ladies’ nights. I had no idea what to expect. I’d never even really had friends before. I hadn’t even gotten along with my roommate in college. The odds were stacked against me that I would fit in with these girls.
The front door swung open, and Kelsey ran out. She walked over and practically dragged me from my car.
“Don’t be nervous, everyone here is great and looking forward to meeting you.”
“I’m not exactly the ladies’ night kind of gal,” I warned.
“After a few glasses of wine, everyone is,” she assured me.
I snorted. “I do have to drive home tonight.”
“Maddie’s nursing and playing DD for the night.”
“Dungeons and dragons?” I asked, a little too excited. I’d only ever played online, but it sounded like fun.
“Designated driver,” she corrected.
“Oh.” I could feel my cheeks warming.
“I think there’s a D&D group that meets once a week though. Micah, our Pack physician, is the dungeon master. I can introduce you if you like. He’d be so excited to have you join them.”
“I’ve never actually played in person before, only online.”
She shrugged. “He’ll just be happy you actually know what it is and are willing to play.”
“Uh, yeah, okay. Maybe. I should probably ask Tarron’s permission first.”
She stopped and gawked at me. “Why?”
“Well, he’s my mate. I sort of have to answer to him.”
“Did he tell you that?” she asked, sounding more than a little irritated.
“Well no. He keeps telling me that’s not how this works.”
“Then why would you think it is?”
I frowned. “Because that’s how my mother has explained things my entire life. I never planned on taking a mate because of it. I don’t know what I was thinking. Just caught up in the moment I guess.”
She took a deep breath then grabbed my arm and dragged me into the house. “Ladies, listen up. This is Susan. She’s Tarron’s new mate and desperately needs our help.”
Three girls walked up quickly and took turns hugging me. It was really awkward, but I tried not to show how overwhelmed I was being there.
“I’m Shelby, this is Emma, and that’s Olivia. Our mates are on Bravo team too. So, any concerns you have or questions, we’re here for you.”
“Us Force girls have to stick together,” Emma said.
“Taylor wanted to be here tonight to meet you too, but she’s the lone girl on the team and well, I’m sure you already know they were called out today,” Olivia explained.