Chapter Sixteen
Kai was almost shaking in anticipation as they arrived at the Weir. Both Joe and Axel had explained the kind of reception he could expect from Axel’s father.
“But he’s not fond of me, either,” Joe said. “So, you won’t be alone in that.”
“Besides,” Axel added when Kai couldn’t hide the worry from his face. “We won’t be staying in the pack house, so it’ll be easy for you to avoid him for now while you settle in.”
He’d seen the sketches and paintings Axel had done of the Weir. It looked like a nicer place than Axel made it sound.
“It’s the people who let it down,” the alpha had explained. “And only some of them.”
Now they were clambering out of the car and Kai was as eager to stretch his legs as he was anxious about how his arrival would be seen. A fox in a pack of wolves didn’t sound like a good survival plan.
Axel moved to stand in front of him, watching him with knowing eyes.
“You look like a rabbit who’s hoping the fox won’t spot him if he just doesn’t move.”
“I’m not a rabbit, I’m a fox.”
Axel grinned. “I mean you look scared. You don’t need to be.”
“You’re not the odd one out,” he grumbled.
Joe laughed. “He’s got you there, Axel.”
The beta gave Kai a quick hug. “But Axel’s right. The worst you have to worry about here is people being unfriendly. You’ve lived in cities, I’m sure you’re used to that.”
Kai was. But this was different. He’d had no expectations of being liked or accepted there. But here… if he wanted to stay with Joe and Axel, he needed these people to accept him and he had no idea how to go about that.
“Come on,” Axel said. “Let’s go say hi. I called ahead, so they know to expect us.”
They walked inward, Kai sandwiched between Joe and Axel, passing houses, gardens, and plenty of people. He got more than a few stares and searching looks.
“There’s the pack house,” Axel pointed out. “We’ll go there first and say hi to my parents. It’s expected.”
Before they’d even reached the door, an imposing alpha stormed out. Just the sight of him had Kai stumbling back a step. Both Joe and Axel reached for him, catching his arms, and halting his backpedaling.
“Don’t panic,” Axel said in an undertone. “My dad’s bark is much worse than his bite.”
“He does like his bluster,” Joe agreed equally as softly.
With their urging, he walked on, toward the alpha whose fury had him wishing he was anywhere else.
“How dare you bring these two into my home.”
“It’s my home, too, Dad,” Axel replied smoothly, sounding upbeat. “We talked about this already. If you want me to be the alpha heir, then you have to accept my mates and the people I care about.”
He wrapped an arm around Kai’s shoulder as he spoke. “You know Joe, of course. And this is Kai. He’s had a rough time of it, thanks to the hyenas and lions, but I’m sure you’ll make him feel welcome.”
Shane’s face turned red then purple. Kai sensed an explosion was imminent and wanted to get out of the blast range. But before that could happen, the door to the house opened again and a woman stepped out.
“Axel! You’re home.”
She stepped forward quickly, passed Shane, and walked right up to Axel, pulling him into a hug.
“And Joe, it’s good to see you again.” Her enthusiasm dimmed a little when she greeted the beta, but she seemed to be doing her best to keep the smile on her face.
“And this must be Kai. Axel told me a bit about you. Welcome to the Weir. We haven’t had a fox shifter here in well… as long as anyone can remember.” She laughed at her own joke, but her eyes seemed to soften as she watched him. “Axel said you were an omega. But… not from the den?”
“That’s… that’s right,” Kai agreed. “I only came to the dens recently. They were kind enough to take me in. Before that, I was alone.”
“Alone? But you’re so young. That must have been very difficult. No pack? No family?”
“Mom, maybe this is something we could talk about later,” Axel interjected. “We've been traveling for hours and I, for one, am starving.”
“Me, too,” Joe said. “Breakfast was a long time ago.”
Axel’s mom was smiling. “You boys and your appetites. Lunch is all ready. Let’s head inside.”
Shane was still standing there, but the fury seemed to have faded to a sort of angry resignation.
As they walked past him, his expression changed, and he looked strangely sad and lost. Kai knew that look, knew what it felt like. He’d seen it in his own reflection a hundred times after his dad had died.
He stopped walking and turned back. “I’m so sorry about your eldest son.” The words were out before he could rethink them. “I lost my dad years ago and I still miss him so much.”
Both Axel and Joe had gone tense, Axel stepping forward, so he was between Kai and Shane. They were afraid of his reaction.
Shane didn’t react at all at first, then he blinked and looked at him a little closer. “Kai, is it?”
Kai nodded.
“Thank you for your kind words. And welcome to the Weir.”
He turned and walked away. Around Kai, Axel and Joe breathed sighs of relief.
“Lunch will be getting cold,” Axel’s mom said. Turning, they followed her inside, hustling Kai along with them.
“I knew you were brave,” Axel said softly. “But taking on my dad? That’s a whole new level of brave.”
The whole encounter left Kai feeling a little more positive. Maybe it wouldn’t be as bad as he feared.
After a lunch that seemed to consist of a ridiculous amount of food of which Kai managed to eat a sizable portion, Joe suggested they go and unpack.
“No need,” Axel said cheerfully. He seemed happier than he had been when they’d first arrived. Maybe it was the food, but Kai thought it was more likely how his family were acting toward Joe and Kai. Joe seemed surprised, so Kai guessed it wasn’t normal. He wasn’t sure what had changed or why.
“Why aren’t we unpacking?” Kai asked.
“We’re not staying here. We’re heading to the hills.”
Even Joe seemed surprised at that. “What? Why?”
“Because we need some time together, where we can be ourselves. That’s not gonna be here and now, not with the rest of the pack breathing down our necks.”
Joe seemed thoughtful. “Your family seems happier.”
“My mom seems happier. I have a fair idea why.” He was looking at Kai as he said it. Joe followed his gaze, his eyebrows raised. “Oh. Wow. She really does have a one-track mind.”
“I think that’s normal for moms of adult children. It’s all ‘when are you going to find a nice mate and settle down?’ then as soon as you do that ‘when are you going to give me—’”
Joe elbowed Axel sharply, nodding to Kai, and the alpha fell silent. Kai was missing something but what?
“Anyway,” Axel continued. “That’s why we’re getting the hell out of here for a few weeks. You’ll love it up there, both of you.”