To an outsider, the exchange might seem unnecessary. Surely, there’d been introductions outside, pleasantries exchanged. But this was different—this was for the pack. This was the moment Jay made it official: the visitors were allowed inside the boundaries, insidetheirspace, and the whole family needed to see that. Just as important, it was a clear message tothe visitors themselves—they were here by invitation, and only by it.
Not for the first time, Leo feels a flicker of pride that their Pack Alpha can navigate the complexities of American Were culture with such practiced ease—and still manage to win people over with nothing more than his natural charisma and that careful, quiet authority that settles rooms.
“You have a lovely home,” Nimue says, her gaze lifting to take in the timbered ceilings, then drifting out toward the sprawling yard framed by tall windows.
“Grayson has many talents,” Gideon replies with a nod, his voice warm but firm. “Thank you for coming.”
And just like that, the whole pack seems to exhale. Gideon’s blessing, as second-in-command, is more than good manners—it’s permission. The formal part is over. Now, they can all breathe easier, let down their shoulders, and maybe even smile without it being a diplomatic move.
“Nice to see you again,” Leo adds, doing his part so Grayson can quit his dancing from foot to foot.
Almost as soon as he says it, Grayson steps forward, offering his hand, “Master of Novices, thank you for coming. Luminary Nimue, this is our daughter—”
There’s a flash of light and a menacing growl before Rowan-wolf is butting between Grayson and the visiting Luminary.
“Rowan!” Nix whispers through clenched teeth.
Nix seems so very much a Were these days that it’s easy to forget he hasn’t spent his whole life as one. But he still retains a lot of his human ideas and culture, so much so that he forgets that Rowan is a new father and warning off strangers is his primary instinct. Given that he’s the Wolf 70% of his life and an enigma, too, it’s a recipe for mixed signals and loss of control.
Finn puts an arm around Nix’s shoulder, handing Rosie to their Alpha. They are going to have to do this the hard waywhen Rowan’s instincts to guard are so strong. It’s that or risk offending—or worse—their allies before they can do what they came to do.
“This is our daughter, Rosie,” Jay says. The words vibrate with the slightest tinge of Alpha Voice. While their visitors wouldn’t notice it at the low intensity, it sizzles along Leo’s spine like a low-grade electric shock.
Rowan and Nix flinch visibly too, Nix’s eyes flashing blue for a moment before he grits his jaw. The warmth of Luca’s palm settles against Leo’s back as, at the same time, Skye squeezes his hand. Together, they give him just enough courage not to drop to his knees and ask Jay to stop. But he knows it’s important, as this moment is about showing Rowan that these people are welcome and that their pups are safe.
“And this is our daughter, Mari. And our son, Skye.”
At the sound of his name, Skye peeks out from beside Leo. The sweet scent of orange surprise tickles Leo’s nose, and he realizes this is the first time their Pack Alpha would have claimed the boy as his own.
Skye might not understand the intricacies of Were culture, but his instincts are telling him that Jay’s words are important. He doesn’t come all the way out, but Leo knows their guests see him because Elysia gasps. It’s pure surprise, her eyes wide and an elegant hand pressed over her mouth in apology.
It’s too late, though, because Rowan growls in warning.
This time, Ignatius goes to his haunches, which makes no sense to Leo, given Rowan-wolf is almost as tall as Ignatius when he’s standing. “Rowan, we mean your pack no harm.”
Not easily swayed, big furry body vibrating with warning, Rowan growls again, this time pulling his lips back and baring his teeth.
“Rowan Foster—” Gideon says in a warning tone.
The older man just smiles, but he offers his hand palm down, as you would to a strange dog. Leo can’t tell if he’s foolish or smart.
Rowan tilts his head back and forth, like he’s shaking off a fly.
It hits Leo then that Ignatius is using that magical animal-talking Talent.
What was it called again?Zoelexis.
There’s a bounding noise on the stairs, and then Doodle and Domino slide into the room on slippery feet. They’re up in Ignatius’s space and between his legs in an instant, when they usually only give the time of day to Gideon, Nix, or Skye.
Tsuki butts up beside Jay and sits, as if waiting her turn, too.
It’s like the fuzzy-haired man is a modern-day Dr. Doolittle. A vision of him in the yard with the squirrels and the birds flashes through Leo’s mind.
Skye giggles, and Leo feels the moment the boy comes out from behind him, head tilted to the side. The tinkling noise is so rare, and certainly never so clear. His amusement is usually limited to half smiles or, when Rowan is particularly ridiculous, a huff. Leo’s heart twinges in his chest. He could listen to his son’s joy like this for the rest of his days.
“Well, okay. Yes, I see. Not all at once, please.” Ignatius gets to his feet with a groan. “I’ve been training for just this occasion, but I hadn’t expected to be quite so popular.”
It seems to be enough to settle Rowan finally, and with a huff, as if he hadn’t just been part of a full-on Alpha Voice showdown, he nudges Grayson to get on with the baby show-and-tell.
