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“Good,” I replied. “I can definitely see the remnants of the old ways there, some backward-thinking geezers when it came to Marley and me, but Grandpa Vic was kind and accommodating. Many of his upper leadership were happy to share information with me and give me some advice.”
“No trouble with, uh, other males?” Dad asked.
“No. Actually, the opposite. A few women tried to make a pass, but...” I looked over my shoulder at Marley. When I was sure she wasn’t paying too close attention, I lowered my voice a bit. “Can we not talk about that? It was pretty upsetting for Marley.”
“Yeah, we can drop it,” my father said. “Why don’t you guys come in for a minute? I’m sure you’re both exhausted from the day’s travel, but fall is coming, and it’s getting chilly.”
“Sure,” I said.
Marley picked Noah up, blowing a raspberry on his cheek as she walked toward us. My mom beckoned her inside with a huge smile.
That is, until a breeze blew past us. Then my mother’s expression changed real quick.
“Cole William Lucas,” she said under her breath. “You...you did not…”
“Marley smells like Daddy now!” Noah said excitedly.
My mother quickly comported herself and gave an uncomfortable laugh. “How about that, huh? They must have spent all their time hugging while they were away! Got their scents all mixed together.”
“Eww! Daddy, you hug girls?” Noah asked.
“Well, of course I do, bud. I mean, you’re hugging her right now.”
“That doesn’t count—she’s my mama. She’s not your mama,” Noah said, tightening his arms around Marley’s neck. My mate looked like she was trying not to implode on herself.
“Why don’t I get Noah packed while you guys talk,” Marley suggested, her face an adorable shade of pink.
“Thanks, sweetheart,” I said, knowing she wanted to be as far from this conversation as possible. I felt a little guilty to be putting her in this position again, but as predicted, my father had given me advice and hadn’t told my mother.
Once Noah and Marley were out of earshot, I looked at my mom. “Dad told me to,” I said. “Advised that it would be a good way to protect her from other shifters.”
“I don’t care if the fucking pope advised you to do it,” she said through her teeth. “I did not raise you that way. Marley is her own woman, and you’ve been together, what? A couple months?”
“That doesn’t matter,” I said.
“Like hell it doesn’t!” she said. “Cole, claiming is permanent.”
“And I plan on being with her permanently, so it’s not a big deal,” I retorted. “People were not taking our relationship seriously because I hadn’t sealed it by claiming her. She was feeling uncomfortable and wanted to experience being claimed. And as I said, I’m pretty sure I want to marry this girl, so—”
“Did you tell her that she won’t be able to get rid of the claim?” my mom demanded. “Ever? Did you tell her it was permanent, even if you two don’t wind up being forever mates? Did you tell her all of that?” She glared at my father. “Did you, Mister Ideas Man?”
My dad and I mirrored each other’s uncomfortable expressions and shifted awkwardly on our feet.
“Of course you didn’t,” my mother said. “I’m about ready to beat both of your asses raw.” She poked my chest with a rounded fingernail. “You discuss it with her tonight. All of it. If you don’t, I will.”
“I will,” I said, feeling sufficiently ashamed.
If I was honest, I hadn’t even thought about the fact that it would be permanent. I’d never considered that Marley might ever want to be in a relationship with someone else. Frankly, the idea filled me with so much despair and rage that I wanted to break something, punch holes in walls. I wouldn’t, but the drive was certainly there.
Marley and Noah came back out during that tense part of the conversation. Marley looked between me and my parents, then shot me a look that screamed what the hell is going on?
“I was just telling Mom and Dad that we’re exhausted, so we’re heading back to the condo,” I told her. “Got everything?”
“Uh, yeah,” Marley said. “Are you sure, though? We can hang out a little longer.”
“No!” Noah whined. “I wanna go back to the little house! Want my bed!”
“Oh, okay,” Marley said. “Home it is, then. I could use a nap, anyway.”
