“You were more distracted today,” Grandad remarks, his cerulean eyes observing me as we all troop out of the restaurant. Only Dad’s inside as he’s settling the bill, and Grandma, who went to the bathroom.
I raise an eyebrow. “Am I?”
“I’ve seen that look before.”
I’m not about to ask him what “look”. I’ve learned with Grandad, don’t test him.
“Sure,” I say, simply making him chuckle. “Really, though, I’m proud of you. You’ll be a good alpha when the time comes.”
“I’ll be happy if I’m half as good as you, Grandma or Dad,” I reply quietly.
“You will be.” Grandad pats my shoulder when I see Carterstumble back. We turn to see Theo standing there, glaring at him.
“What’s going on, boys?!” Mom exclaims.
“Can you not fucking butt in every single time? It’s between us!” Carter snarls, turning his glare on her, making anger flare through me.
Mom frowns. “Carter, I’m your mother-”
“Yeah, you never let us forget-”
“Don’t talk to her like that, Carter,” Renji says quietly, as Grandad and I stride over.
“Boys,” Grandad says warningly.
“You’re hurt,” Mom exclaims with concern as she reaches for Carter, who now sports a bloody nose thanks to Theo.
“I said stop it!” Carter shouts, shaking her hand off, the force sending Mom stumbling.
I see fucking red.
“Carter,” I snarl menacingly, closing the gap between us, the urge to snap his fucking neck almost taking over. I grab the front of his shirt, shaking him roughly as I glare at him.Don’t you ever fucking lay a finger on her!
“She was butting in. Get the fuck off me!”
“I’m fine, Jayce. Come on, let’s not ruin the evening,” Mom says cheerfully. She’s hurt, no matter how cheerful she tries to sound, she’s not ok. I can sense her emotions, and that fucking pisses me off.
She can say whatever the fuck she wants. Remember, she’s the reason you’re even on this fucking planet!I snarl through the mind-link.Apologise.
Like fuck I’m going to! You bastard, let me go. You already ruined my fucking day, and now you’re trying to play the fucking knight?
Apologise.This time, I tighten my hold, promising murder if he dares defy me. My aura swirls around me as we both glare at one another before he grits his teeth.
“Fine,” he says, and I let go of him. If only the bastard knew the only reason I’m not beating the shit out of him is because she’s standing right here. “Sorry, Mom.” Sarcasm drips from his voice before he turns and, shaking his head, walks off.
“Carter…” Mom calls softly, her eyes glittering with worry.
“He’ll be fine. What happened?” Dad asks as he and Grandma come towards us.
“It doesn’t matter,” Mom says, looking up at Dad before turning to me. “Don’t be too hard on him.”
“I won’t. But he doesn’t get a pass to disrespect you.”
“Agreed,” Dad says, irritation clear in his voice. If he had seen what happened, he would have been equally pissed.
“Ok, ok, enough. Congratulations once again, Jayce,” Mom says, smiling brightly as she holds out a small gift box. “A little gift from the four of us.”
“That wasn’t necessary, but thanks,” I say, accepting it. I open it to see a chain inside. “I like it, thanks.” I look at the four of them before slipping the box into my pocket and wrapping my arms around Mom.
