Chapter 183

Shawna POV

We all sat around the dinner table, the food being passed around family style. I loved this, and I loved even more that we didn't have a bunch of Omegas hovering over us. I admired that Janice wanted to keep time with her family, just with them, without others waiting on them. "So Peter, where is Stephanie?" Janice finally asked. "I thought for sure you would bring her."

Peter rolled his neck and then looked at his father, something passing between them, before looking to his mother. "We broke up," he finally said.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know," Janice replied, looking surprised. "What brought that on?"

"Her mother," Peter said as he loaded his plate up with lasagna. He passed the pan to James, who sat next to him. James hadn't said anything, just looked over at Collette, confusion on his face. Collette shrugged and then looked over at Peter. It seemed everyone except for Dean was waiting for the news. "Hannah overheard the Alpha having a conversation that was none of her business."

"I don't follow," Janice said. "What conversation?"

"I was talking with that Guardian Cedric," Dean finally spoke up. "He will be coming with your sister and her mate, Shawna, just so you are aware."

"What does that have to do with anything?" Michael asked. "What exactly was Hannah doing, listening in on your conversation?"

"I asked one of the housekeeping staff to get a room ready at the main pack house for him. I thought it was better than having him stay with us. We have too many private discussions in our house for him to be hanging around here. I assume that when she heard a single man who held a position as a guardian was going to be here, her first thought was that Stephanie should be available."

"For the Love of the Goddess!"Janice spit out. "You cannot be serious right now."

I took a bite of my salad, watching the expressions around the table morphing. James looked like he wanted to laugh, Collette looked disgusted, Michael was confused, and Peter looked like he wanted the conversation to be over. Dean sat at the head of the table, looking like he had no cares in the world. "It's for the best. You know what kind of woman she is now, son, and her mother pushed her into that. It's no wonder the girl hasn't found a man to settle down with yet. Her mother appears to be steering her towards the most eligible man, the one who can give her the most. It just so happens that guardians make outstanding salaries, and most are from prominent families. Cedric is no different."

"I am the son of an Alpha, the leader of this pack," Peter growled.

"No denial there," Michael finally said quietly. "What is she after, if not that?"

"Honestly," Dean said, "I think she wants Stephanie to move away from this pack. The girl has a bad reputation as a bit of a gold digger. Sorry, son," he looked up at Peter.

"It's fine." Peter shrugged. "I wasn't going to take her as a mate anyway. I heard something two days ago that helped me make that decision."

"What did you hear?" Janice asked.

"That she was screwing around with someone else behind my back," Peter admitted. "I'm over her already. I should try to find my true mate anyway. Look how happy Michael and James are."

"Very true," Janice replied with a smile.

"What did Cedric say that convinced you to let him come here?" Michael asked, changing the subject. "Why does he want to spend his time off here and not go home?"

"His mother harps on him about his deceased mate and how he needs to move on. He isn't opposed to finding someone one day, but not someone his mother tries to set him up with. Widowed women. She thinks it would work out better that way, and Cedric doesn't want that to be the reason he is with someone. He has a hard time saying no to his mother, and he just needed an excuse. Plus, he asked if he could train with Michael," Dean tossed out as he took a bite of his food.

"What?" Michael blurted. "What the hell for?"

"You don't want to train with him?" I asked, knowing full well he didn't care for Cedric.

"Not particularly," Michael said. "I can't imagine what he thinks I can teach him."

"You can teach him plenty, son. You have seen more combat than he has and trained with the best. He confided that he wants to apply for a position in the King's Guard. He needs more training, more experience," Dean disclosed.

"Why does he want that?" James said, sounding surprised. "It's on another continent. He wants to be that far from home?"

"I didn't ask," Dean replied. "It's none of my business. He did say his contract is up in two months, which is why he was assigned to this investigation. His council wants to help him build up his resume so the King will look at him closely."

"I didn't even know that was a thing," I said quietly. I had hardly participated in the conversation, feeling like it had hinged more on Peter's personal life. As it took another turn, I thought I could at least participate. I also wanted to know when my sister would arrive and whether Dean would allow her and Clint to stay here.

"Didn't you?" Collette asked. "Michael, weren't you going to apply for the King's guard?"

Michael cleared his throat. "I considered it. I met my mate though, and that changed everything. I am right where I am meant to be," he said, placing his hand on my thigh and squeezing it.

"Alpha," I offered, but before I could finish my question he corrected me again.

"Dean. We are at home, with family. You are family, Shawna," he said firmly.

"I apologize, Dean," I began. "Do you know when my sister and Clint will arrive?"

"Day after tomorrow, hopefully early," he answered, watching me.

"And you will let them stay? Let Clint live on pack land?" I asked.

"Your sister is, of course, welcome, but her mate will have to convince me that it is safe for him to be here amongst us," he looked around the table. "I think everyone can agree that when humans know to much, it's extremely dangerous." I swallowed, feeling my anxiety rising. Michael must have felt it, because he gave me a reassuring smile.

"He is a good man, Father," Michael said. "You will like him, and he can run a cattle ranch on the lower side of the mountain. You have that land there begging for a use."

"That's what you keep telling me," Dean said. He looked to me now, making direct eye contact. "I find my son is an excellent judge of character. I don't doubt your sister's mate is exceptional; I just need to meet him first. Minor formality, but I'm sure it will be just fine."

"Of course, I understand." It felt like lead sat in my stomach. I did understand, and I was certain Clint would make a good impression. It didn't change the fact that I felt a little bit unsure, despite Michael's words.