Chapter 177

Michael POV

I'm gobsmacked at what my father just said. No charges. All because the two women would not speak out against anyone. "So you're telling me the council isn't doing anything?" I ask.

"I wouldn't say that," my father replies. "The Alpha has agreed to assist them, track down others that were involved. As it turns out, he did not work with Alpha James on this, so that's going to uncover some other higher-ranking officials involved, which the council has been itching to reveal."

"He's getting clemency?" Shawna asked.

"Sort of," my father answered. "And very good, I can tell you are a smart young woman. He's agreed to assist in finding those responsible for selling werewolves, in exchange for not being charged. The two she-wolves said they are happy and have not been mistreated. Neither have any desire to return to the old pack."

My father watches Shawna with curious eyes, waiting on her reaction. She looks at him and nods. "I understand that. Malik is not a bad man, but he does have anger issues. I guess he hasn't shown that to his mate, or she doesn't care."

"Hmmm," my father hums. "Sometimes, when a wolf is an Alpha, an Alpha not trained properly, or ignored for that matter, they develop issues such as rage, jealousy and difficulty controlling their emtions. He needs help with that, and maybe eventually someone will step up and give him that."

"Like his biological father," I muse. "He has to take ownership of that first and I'm not sure he will."

"Kind of seems like he may have done so now, he protected him and his mate. A mate that the Alpha paid for no less," my father points out.

My mother claps her hand, her way of changing the subject. "Let's discuss more pleasant things, shall we?" She beams at Shawna. "If you didn't notice Dean, our son and his mate have something to share," she smiles pointedly at Shawna. "Would you like to share with the Alpha your news?" She is practically bouncing in her seat, so excited that it's pouring out of her.

My father looks expectantly at the two of us, his eyes flashing back and forth between Shawna and I. "Oh um, yes," Shawna says shyly. "Alpha," she begins.

"Dean," my father interrupts. "You're family."

"Oh, yes of course. Dean. We are expecting a baby," Shawna says, her cheeks pinkening.

"Seriously?" my father asks, his jaw hanging open. Then he sniffs the air and looks at me, his eyes wide. "That's incredible! Our first grandchild!" He slams his palm on the table and Shawna jumps. "We must celebrate!"

"Father," I say, "We need to see the pack doctor, today if possible. Shawna hasn't been properly examined yet."

"Okay, sure, get it arranged," he looks pointedly at my mother. "You will make sure that happens today, wont' you Janice?" my father directs to my mother.

"Of course dear, I'm steps ahead of you. I mindlinked the pack doctor as soon as I knew," she smiles at him and then winks at me. "She will see Shawna after lunch."

"So um, how are your other two sons?" Shawna looks to my mother. "Will we meet them today?"

"Oh yes dear, at dinner. They will both be here. James and his mate, Collette, they both live here. Peter is still in the main pack house, but he will come for dinner. He may bring his girlfriend," she says with an eyeroll.

"Girlfriend?" I ask. It's the first I've heard of this.

"Yes, he's been seeing Mark and Hannah's oldest, Stephanie," my mother says.

"Mark and Hannah, as in Mark who runs the lumber mill?" I ask.

"The one and only," my father says, sounding unhappy about it. "But who are we to interrupt young love."

"Love? Really dad, you aren't serious," I laugh. "Stephanie has tried to get with every single one of us, such is her drive to want to be higher up on the food chain." I glance over at Shawna who is just watching me with amusement as she eats a piece of bread. "Not that I slept with her," I say as I look at Shawna.

"Well neither did James," my Mom rushes out. "But half of the pack did. It doesn't matter," she waves her hand in the air. "Peter is happy and she dotes on him, so as long as he is happy and she's not inserting herself where it doesn't belong, it's fine."

"Inserting herself is exactly what she's doing," I joke. "Probably on top of his dick."

"Michael," my mother spits out. "Watch your mouth."

My father and I both laugh and Shawna says nothing, just observing us all, with a humorous twinkle in her eye.

"What do you think about all of this?" my mother asks Shawna. Shawna looks up from her plate.

"Me?" My mother nods.

"I don't think I have a say Janice, he's a grown man isn't he? I'm just his sister in law who he has never met. Besides, I think if two people are happy then it's no one elses business." Shawna winces. "Sorry," she says, her teeth gritted together.

"Don't be sorry," my mother answers. "I asked. You are free to speak here, the same as the rest of us."

Shawna looks over at me and I give her a smile. My father is holding back a laugh, drinking his beer, a smirk on his lips. "Thank you," she finally says, looking back to my mother. "The lunch was delicious," Shawna says and I look over to see she's eaten every bite. "Would it be okay if we went to see the doctor now? I'm anxious to know what's going on with my pup, and I'd like to see our house, at least before dinner."

"Of course," my mother says. "Michael, hurry up and eat and tend to your mate for Goddess sake."

"Okay," I reply and procede to wolf down the food I'd hardly touched. Father and I had been conversing so much that I forgot to take bites of my food in between. "Are you going back to the office?" I asked my father.

"Yes, I am. I'm sure you know the way to the pack doctor. You know where your house was being built and it's completed, lights went on this morning. Your brother went over to check and make sure the hot water was working too before he signed off on the work order completion. All you have to do is choose some paint colors, if your mate wants, and decorate," he says.

"I took it upon myself to order you some bedding," my mother says. "Just sheets and a down comforter, all white. I figured Shawna can add color and order anything else once you arrived. I didn't think you would want to sleep without bedding your first night home," she smiles.

"Thank you, that's wonderful," Shawna replies.

"Of course, I made sure it was all washed and one of the Omega's went over earlier and made the room up for you. If you need anything at all, her number is next to the phone in your kitchen. She's assigned to you, but if you choose not to use her services, she wont' be offended. They are all used to me dismissing them," she smiles warmly at Shawna. "Of course I'm sure you are very tired at this point of your pregnancy, so don't over due it."

"Of course not, thank you," Shawna replies. I finish up my last bite and grab mine and Shawna's plates. I walk them to the sink and rinse them off, just as I know my mother likes, then place them into the dishwasher. I walk back to the table and take Shawna's hand and pull her to her feet.

"We will be heading to the doctor now," I announce. "Thanks for lunch mother, see you at dinner." We say our goodbyes and we are out the door and headed to the doctor. Now, I'm suddenly nervous. I hope everything is okay with the baby. Either way, we are about to find out.