I spotted a flash of silver hair around a nearby corner and realized I wasn’t the only one. Violet was listening in, and considering Mira and her had travelled here together, I would bet my younger sister was there too.
“Don’t misunderstand. All I was saying was that you don’t need traditional education if you have other assets. Which you do. I’m proud of you.”
Conrad deflated against the railing, a rush of colour coming back. He managed a shaky smile for my mother before she turned her attention to West.
“If those two are Mercer and Conrad, then you must be West,” Mom said.
West stood up straighter. “Yes. West Morgan.”
“Aren’t you going to tell me what you offer my daughter?”
“I don’t offer her anything, so I’m not sure what I would say.”
Mercer elbowed West in the side, glaring at him.
Mom stepped forward and grabbed one of West’s hands in both of hers. “Oh, you think you’re being serious, don’t you?”
He stared down at his hand like it was a foreign object, not attached to his body. “Iambeing serious. If you want Talia to be with someone who brings something to the table, I’m not that guy. I hope my packmates’ accomplishments can make up for it.”
I’d opened my mouth, ready to step in and tell him off for being self-deprecating again, but Mom hauled him into a hug before I could speak. He released a surprised yelp as all five foot three of her somehow managed to envelope him in a motherly embrace.
“You have far more going for you than you think, darling. Talia needs a protector, and you’re nothing short of perfect for that role.” Mom pulled back and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ve already met Violet, so I know what I’m talking about.”
West glanced down the hallway just as silver hair flicked out of sight again. “Um, Violet may have made me out to be?—”
“Not another word from you. Was someone hungry? Let’s go eat.”
Mom urged West back down the stairs with a hand firmly placed on his shoulder. Conrad was easily herded along with him, while Mercer hung back with me.
“Well, it’s pretty clear who your mom’s favourite is,” Mercer whispered when the others were far enough out of earshot.
“She likes all of you,” I countered.
“We all passed. But thefavouriteis definitely West.”
I couldn’t deny it again, because it was probably true. In West, she saw a boy who needed a mother, and she was ready to be the mother-in-law of the century.
“You still have a chance to work your way up in the ranks.” I planted a kiss on his cheek. “Although I wouldn’t recommend it. You’ll have even more scrutiny from my dads if you end up being my mom’s favourite.”
Mercer linked our arms together, starting to follow after the other three. “West can stay the winner of this one.”
Chapter
Thirty
MERCER
With Talia in my lap and my arms wrapped around her, I felt at peace.
I had her all to myself for now. Conrad and West were unpacking our things in Talia’s room. Lavinia had the foresight to have someone fetch clothing and toiletries from our house, which meant we wouldn’t be limited to borrowed sweats and generic bar soap anymore.
Talia had poked her head in to check on Violet and tried to go see Gears and Hawk, only to find Nico hadn’t finished grilling them yet. So we’d settled here, in the living room of her family home.
Our home for the foreseeable future.
The living room was full of antiques and high-end decor, with comfortable couches and loveseats like the one we sat on. There was no TV—apparently they had a different room for that—but various tables held art supplies and musical instruments. A grand piano took up one corner.
It was all screaming ‘rich people live here.’
