Page 27 of Bear With Me

The woman’s eyes darted from Bjorn to Dennis. “Who’s this?” she demanded with no segue.

“He’s -” Bjorn began to say, but Dennis stepped forward before he could confess all.

“I’m Dennis, a friend of Bjorn’s,” he introduced himself instead, holding out a hand to the woman.

She studied him for a long moment, and then took his hand in a limp grip. “Rowena Karlsson.” They shook, if you could call it that when Rowena barely moved her hand. “It’s…a pleasure to meet you.” She looked like it was anything but. She kinda looked like she smelled something bad, really. Dennis had showered this morning, he was sure of that, so how bad could he possibly smell?

“Likewise,” he said formally, then allowed Bjorn to gently shoulder him aside.

“So, did you need something from me?” Bjorn asked in the coldest tone Dennis had ever heard from him, which wasn’t really all that cold objectively but was still a bit jarring after his usual warmth. “Where’s Papa?”

A man materialized behind Rowena’s shoulder. He was as tall as Bjorn, but heftier and softer. He was also wearing a three-piece suit and tie. Everyone else was wearing sweats or jeans, even the alpha, but this guy was in a suit? Dennis tried not to stare. “I’m right here,” said the man. “Welcome back to the den.”

Bjorn just nodded tightly. “I’m here to see Gran.”

His father pressed his lips together. “Mmm. You would come when she calls, even though you won’t take our calls.”

Bjorn snorted. “When was the last time you called me, Papa? It’s less that I won’t take your calls and more that you don’t make them.”

“Yes, well.” Rowena pushed on her husband's shoulder, moving him from in front of the door. “You may as well come inside. Thank you for bringing him to us, Alpha,” she said, bowing her head respectfully to Escalus and then the other men. “Enforcers.”

Escalus grunted. “Send him to me when you’re done with him. We have some things to talk about as well.”

Dennis felt his eyebrows go up. Did that sound ominous, or was it just him? Beside him, Bjorn stiffened but said nothing. He just stood there for a moment, and then walked into the house through the newly-cleared doorway. He looked like he was preparing for battle, and as he followed him, Dennis wondered just how bad this was going to be.

Bjorn’s parents led them to a very formal-looking living room - parlor? Sitting room? - with an ornate couch and loveseat set covered with embroidered flowers. They looked distinctly uncomfortable to sit on, but sit on them people did, Bjorn on the couch and the parents on the loveseat. Dennis dithered for a few seconds, considering whether he should withdraw for what was likely to be a personal conversation, but Bjorn tugged him down beside him. And yep, the couch was uncomfortable. Was that a spring poking him in the ass?

“Bjorn," his father began, then paused and looked at where Dennis had just crossed his legs. "Why is your friend here? This is family – den – business."

Bjorn scowled. "I won't keep secrets from Dennis, so there's no reason for him to not be here. Take it or leave it."

Both parents studied Bjorn critically, eyebrows down and lips pursed. “When will your belongings be arriving?” Rowena asked after a moment.

Dennis and Bjorn exchanged a confused look at the non sequitur. “I just have my suitcase,” Bjorn said slowly. “I was on vacation when I got the call about Gran.”

“Ah.” She nodded. “So you will have the rest shipped, then.”

Bjorn blinked. “Shipped where?”

“Here, of course,” his father cut in blandly, waving a hand to encompass the house. “Though I suppose Alpha would allow you to have your own little cabin if you feel strongly about it. Pointless, though. We’ll need to focus on your training.”

Training? What the fuck? Dennis opened his mouth to ask, then closed it. These weren’t his parents and this wasn’t his community. Maybe he was missing something?

Apparently, though, if he was missing something, Bjorn was as well, because his eyebrows went up and he said, “What?”

His mother clasped her hands primly in her lap. “Well, you’re certainly not prepared yet to take your new role, so we’ll need to train you. I think we can get it done in about six weeks, well before the solstice gathering.”

“Mom…” Bjorn said cautiously, “what role are you talking about?” He sounded like he had a pretty good idea but was hoping he was wrong, and Dennis got a sinking feeling.

Rowena turned on her husband, hissing, “Didn't you tell him the plan?" Her husband blanched and shook his head slightly. "I told you to -” she began.

“What plan?” Bjorn interrupted, his patience obviously fraying.

She blinked at him. “For you to take your new position in the den, Bjorn,” she said as if her son was a bit slow on the uptake. “Your papa will handle most of your training, as it should be, but I think I should handle your social skills.”

Bjorn’s jaw tightened. “My social skills are just fine. And I’m not taking a position in the den. I’m here to see Gran, and then I’m going home.”

“That’s absurd,” said Rowena. “Your home is here and always has been. A role as an enforcer or beta is your birthright. Besides, with your grandmother so ill, you won’t leave, and we all know it.”