Devon pulled into his driveway with a sigh. Relief ran through his body like it always did when he got home after a long day at work. And the day had been…interminable. It ran over time-wise what he originally wanted to work. But patients had demands, and emergencies quickly followed. In truth, it was a typical day for him, except for the fact that he had plans with his in-laws, and wanted at least a small respite before they showed up. Some time to shore up his nerves and get his mind right for the visit.

That wouldn’t be happening, though. The dark Cadillac pulling up next to him as soon as his engine was off was no surprise. The Jordans were right on time, something he anticipated they would be. Philip had been eager to see the kids the night before. The excited gleam in his eyes an indication of how much he wanted to be there. That excitement was enough to overpower Tracey’s reluctance, he was sure.

Philip may not wear the pants in the family, but Devon thought when the man wanted something, like spending time with his grandchildren, now that he had the opportunity, he would get his way.

Stepping out of his SUV, Devon waited for them to approach. “Evening, Philip. Tracey.”

“Evening, Devon. It’s good to see you again.” Philip glanced at his watch. “Long day?”

Devon nodded. “Longer than I planned, but that’s the life of being a doctor here. Or anywhere I would assume. How was your day? Did you get a chance to walk around town?”

“We did. It really is lovely here.”

“When we weren’t being stared at,” Tracey quipped.

Devon held back the snort that tried to make its way out. A quick call to the Sheriff that morning ensured people kept an eye on the couple. He expected a call from the man later with an update on what they had done during the day. Not that he was paranoid, but he didn’t trust them.

Reaching the door, Devon unlocked it and swung it open. A chorus of little feet reached his ears before they were greeted with happy shrieks and tiny bodies racing toward them.

Sebastian barreled into his legs. His tiny arms wrapping around his legs. Seb’s head knocking into his knees. Tabitha came in behind him, squishing Seb between them. Marcus was the one who came skidding to an abrupt halt after noticing Philip and Tracey. His head cocked to the side, and he sniffed, nose crinkling up slightly. It was the first time any of the kids had shown any shifter traits. Devon wanted to scoop him up and ask a thousand questions. A glance back at Tracey told him that would be a bad idea. He wanted them comfortable around the kids at least, and not shying away in disgust.

The woman’s eyes narrowed as she caught Marcus’s action. Her mouth thinned in a disapproving line. She was well on her way to backing away from the boy, having the potential to break his heart.

Now was not the time to revel in his kid’s first possible step into the shifter world. It could wait until later, without shifter-wary eyes on them all.

“Hey, kiddos. Let’s move inside so we can shut the door. I’m sure Grandma and Grandpa would love to come in. It’s getting a little chilly out.”

“Okay, papa.” Tabitha slipped her hand into Sebastian’s and pulled him away. “Nana says dinner is just about ready. Pop-Pop said he heard you pull up, so we came to get you. He says he’s starving and could eat a whole deer,” she giggled.

Tracey gasped. Devon looked in her direction again. She was horrified, and it showed in her rigid spine and near-panicked face. Devon’s gaze skittered to Philip’s and saw he was frowning in disappointment, but it wasn’t directed at the kids. At least he understood it was just a phrase…like eating the whole cow. Devon hoped.

“Well, Pop-Pop always did have a big appetite and sense of humor. He would probably say he could eat a boat or a train, if he knew it would make you giggle.” He bopped her lightly on the tip of her nose, causing another girlish giggle to escape. “Why don’t you show your grandparents where they can put their coats? I’m going to go get changed real quick, and meet you in the dining room.”

“Okay, Papa. Come on Seb, let’s show them what to do. Follow me, Grandma and Grandpa.” She paused and a serious look came over her face. “I can call you Grandma and Grandpa, can’t I? I call daddy’s mom and dad, Nana and Pop-Pop.”

“Of course, sweetie,” Philip answered with a grin splitting his face.

Tabitha nodded sharply and then, with Seb’s hand still tucked into hers, led them down toward the kitchen and mudroom where they could hang up their coats.”

Marcus, on the other hand, stood off to the side and watched them go by. Devon looked to his boy and studied him for a moment before resting his hand on his shoulder. Marcus looked at him and Devon nodded toward the stairs. “Come up with me and you can tell me what’s wrong while I change.”

He nodded and went up the stairs without any more prompting. Devon followed him. Once they were in Devon’s room, he shut the door to give them some privacy. Slipping into his closet, he closed the door most of the way and listened as Marcus paced near the bed. His new quiet nature took time getting used to, but Devon had adapted.

Marcus would need a minute to gather his thoughts and figure out the words he needed to express himself. It was a vast difference from the vibrant little boy who used to talk a mile a minute and with no filter. The death of his mother changed him in unexpected ways.

Devon changed clothes and came back out. Marcus stopped pacing. His forehead was crinkled up and he was frowning. “Go ahead, son. What’s on your mind?”

He huffed out a quiet breath. “You won’t get mad?”

“Never,” he reassured him.

After a brief moment, Marcus spoke in a quiet, serious voice. “I don’t like them.”

Devon wasn’t surprised. He moved to sit on the edge of the bed to make Marcus more comfortable. The kid didn’t trust many people these days. It was like he was afraid to let someone new in, always concerned they wouldn’t stay. It was something the therapist commented on after one of his sessions.

Devon spent the prior evening watching the kids and how they interacted with the Jordans. Devon didn’t fail to notice how Marcus stood back and observed. He talked to them when spoken to, but didn’t offer up anything on his own like his brother and sister.

When it appeared Marcus wouldn’t elaborate, Devon spoke up. “Why don’t you like them?” He asked softly, not wanting Marcus to think he would get in trouble for voicing his thoughts and feelings.

Marcus’ brow furrowed even more. “I don’t know. There’s something wrong with them. Wrong with her. She smells funny to me. Like lemons, or that cleaning stuff Nana uses to clean the floor sometimes. It stinks and burns my nose.”

“I see,” he mumbled, not sure what that meant in the grand scheme of things. Devon hadn’t smelled that on Tracey, but he had a more refined sense of smell. Years of honing the skill of sniffing out feelings and emotions allowed him to quickly assess what rolled through a person. When he paid attention. He could turn it off, so to speak, on a whim. A mistake he’d obviously made the evening before. “Did she smell like that the entire time they were here last night?”

Marcus shrugged. “Most of the time. Every once in a while, it smelled like something was burnt, like that time you tried making special toast in the oven and forgot about it.”

Anger? Repulsion? They both had an acrid, pungent tinge. At least to him. He didn’t know if it would be the same for Marcus. He would have to take note of Tracey’s scent tonight.

Marcus fidgeted in front of him. Nervousness rolled off him.

Reaching out, Devon gripped the back of Marcus’ neck. He squeezed gently and Marcus’ scent started to clear. “Thank you for telling me. You don’t have to sit with them or be next to them the whole night, but I would like you to try and get to know them. They are your mom’s mom and dad, and I know she would want you to like them. Plus, Grandpa Philip seems pretty nice and excited to get to know you.”

“Yeah, he’s okay, I guess.”

“Good. How about we head down for dinner before they send out a search party?”

“Okay.” Marcus headed out of the room and Devon followed. They hit the stairs, and he could hear everyone moving around in the dining room. Plates and silverware clinked and thudded. People were talking civilly.

The feeling of family and home eased into his senses. The moment of peace he hoped for was seemingly unneeded. Even Marcus seemed to relax. The apprehension that drew up his shoulders dissipated, and he bounded down the steps.

They joined everyone at the table and took their seats. It wasn’t until everyone sat down that he noticed someone missing. Someone important, and someone he hadn’t heard from since that morning.

Carolline wasn’t there.

Devon glanced at his mom, hoping she could silently read his mind. One of her eyebrows shot up and she shrugged.

He checked with his dad, who merely shook his head.

His heart sank and his tiger started to pace. He couldn’t say anything while Tracey and Philip were there, if they wanted to keep up the ruse that she was only a family friend. He would have to wait until they left before he could find out what was going on.

Worry ate at him and it was completely unacceptable.