Chapter Eleven

Mike took a deep breath before ringing the doorbell of his parents’ house. Becca’s hand was in his as she stood by his side, a strong, solid presence.

“A freakin’ mansion,” she muttered. “No one said anything about a mansion.”

He hid his smile. “I thought I’d mentioned it.”

“Liar,” she whispered as the door opened.

Mike was surprised to see his mother answering. She hardly ever did tasks that she had staff for.

“I was hoping it was you,” his mother said. “You are very late. The party will be starting soon.”

“Yes,” he agreed. Mike sipped his head. “I’d hoped to leave earlier, but a few things needed our attention before we left.”

His mom shifted her gaze from him to Becca.

“Mother, please meet Becca Nelson,” he introduced.

“Mrs. Jackson.” Becca stepped forward. “You have such a lovely home. Thank you so much for inviting me. It’s a real honor.”

The surprise on his mother’s face was worth the long drive home. He’d never seen his mom speechless before.

“I’ve never been up this way before,” Becca continued. “The trees here are massive. I saw that you have several different ones along the back of the property. With your permission, I’d love for Mike to show them to me later.”

There was a slight sputter before his mother recovered. “Well, of course, young lady. I’d be happy for my son to do that. We’ve kept our landscape native to our area. No tropical or unnatural species.”

“It’s truly lovely,” Becca agreed.

Mike smirked when his mom turned her gaze on his. Alpha Nelson had been on target about bringing Becca. The frown he received from his mother matched her glare.

“Come inside.” She ushered them. “I don’t want the guests arriving with you still on the doorstep.”

They still had an hour, but Mike didn’t argue. He laid his hand on Becca’s lower back as they stepped forward.

Sometime in his absence, the foyer had been remodeled. Instead of the dark wood he was used to, the space now gleamed white and bright. He approved.

“This looks great,” he praised.

His mom turned on her heel. She appeared to be searching his face. For sarcasm, maybe? “You like it?”

“I do,” he said. The staircase still took up most of the area, but the new tile, décor and pictures were inviting.

“I had to fight your father on redecorating, but I think it was worth it.”

Mike nodded.

“I redid the sitting room, as well. He won’t allow me to touch his office, though.”

“Well, you have to leave the man his own space,” Mike commented. “He barely uses the sitting room, anyway.”

“Yes, well…” She straightened her skirt before motioning him toward said room. “Come and I’ll have drinks poured. I’m pleased you’ve dressed for the occasion.”

Mike snorted. He would have shown up in jeans and a T-shirt, but Becca had put her foot down. She’d stated that if she was going to dress up, which she was, that he’d do so as well. Becca had even picked out the dark-blue suit he wore. “You can thank Becca.”

“I’m sure I can,” his mom replied.

The change in the sitting room was as shocking as the one in the foyer had been. Instead of the flower-patterned furniture and sweet-smelling space, Mike found himself in a comfortable, masculine room. Brown leather couches and chairs had replaced the once uncomfortable seating. He whistled in appreciation.

His mom was beaming. Wow, Mike had never seen her like this. Not in his entire life. While she was still acting prim and proper, there had been changes going on. He wondered what else would be in store for him.

“Your father should be coming along.”

“I’m here.”

Mike turned to greet his dad. He had always seen the resemblance between him and his father and as Mike aged, it was even stronger. There were gray flecks at his dad’s temples, but he still held an aura of authority.

“Son, glad you could make it.”

He shook his father’s hand before motioning to Becca. “Thanks, this is Becca Nelson.”

His dad greeted Becca with a friendly shake. “Alpha Nelson’s daughter?”

“Yes, sir,” she said. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Your father is an Alpha?” his mom asked, returning with two glasses of white wine.

Mike would have preferred a beer, but he accepted the glass.

“Yes, ma’am,” Becca said.

“Sit, you two,” his mother insisted. “Tell us what’s been going on.”

Mike led Becca to the couch, waiting until she sat, then joined her. He was surprised that his mom asked. Normally this was the time that she’d start in on him returning home and taking over the responsibilities she thought he should. “Why don’t you tell them,” he suggested to Becca. Mike wanted to watch Becca interact with his parents. They wouldn’t be there often, but that moment was his two worlds coming together.

Becca was his future, while his parents held his past memories. He wasn’t as close to them as he’d like. The constant pressure made him stay away. What would it be like to come home, though, and not fight with my family?

As Becca went through the events that had been taking place, Mike watched his parents. His father must have already heard some of the story, because he knew what questions to ask. His mom, on the other hand, looked horrified.

His mother’s gaze went to him. “You helped?”

“Mike was able to save one of my good friends, as well as locate Dan Carter. Without him, I don’t know how much damage would have been done. Someone could have really gotten hurt.”

“Thank God it’s over,” his mom stated.

“But it’s not,” Mike said. “Dan Carter is still out there. The Pack is still in danger.”

“You’re going back?” his father asked. He was already nodding, though, so Mike knew he wouldn’t have to explain.

“Yes.”

His mom peered from him to Becca. “For how long?”

Mike hadn’t wanted to have this conversation yet. He’d figured there would be plenty of time after the party to let his parents know he eventually planned on joining Becca’s Pack. He slipped his hand around Becca’s fingers and squeezed.

“For as long as Becca will have me,” he answered.

His mother gasped, but his dad laughed. Mike glanced at his father.

“I knew it would take a good woman to finally get you to slow down.”

Mike raised an eyebrow. His father had never said much to him. Not since he’d first enlisted in the military. His dad had never served and had told Mike he was making a mistake. Mike had walked away. He’d left the man who had played ball with him in the backyard. The father who’d taught him to swim. For the first time since that day, Mike felt the tie between them again.

“Your mother and I have been discussing your situation,” his father said.

“Situation?” Mike asked.

“The fact that you don’t plan to come home,” his mom said.

Mike sighed. “My place isn’t here. I’ve been trying to tell you that.”

His mother pressed her lips into a firm line before nodding. “So your father keeps telling me. I’ve agreed to stop hounding you about it. I ask that you come home more than twice a year.”

If his mom stayed off his back about living back home, Mike had no problem visiting more. Even if it was to attend stupid fancy dinners and parties. As long as Becca remained by his side. “I can make more of an effort,” he conceded. “If you stop asking when I’m coming home, I’ll visit more often.”

“Then it’s a deal,” his mom stated. She rose. “Now I need to make certain everything is ready for this evening.”

Becca stood, as well. “Can I help?”

His mom nodded once. “That is acceptable. I will give you a tour while we’re at it.”

“That’d be great,” Becca said. “This house is huge.”

“I’m sure you have a large residence, as well. Your father is Alpha of a good-size Pack.”

“I didn’t grow up in anything like this, though,” Becca said, as they walked out of the room.

Mike looked over to his dad. “I feel like I’ve entered the Twilight Zone.”

“It hasn’t been easy, but your mother is coming around at last. She’s known that you weren’t going to join the family business, but she still thinks she needs to push you. I’ve finally made her see that she’s been pushing you away.”

“She wasn’t the only one,” Mike said. He didn’t want to fight with his dad, but there were a lot of issues that needed to be addressed.

“I made mistakes. I thought you would end up dead in place far from home. I’ve seen too many of our people killed to want that for my son. I grew up in a different time from you. When I was graduating high school, we had a draft that we worried about.”

“I know. But I knew that was where I was meant to be. I’m not like you or my brother. I don’t want to wear suits every day and sit behind a desk.”

His dad smiled. “We do a little more than that, but I understand. Or at least I’m trying to.”

“Why all this change of heart?” Mike didn’t want to be suspicious, but this was all of his dreams coming true. Having Becca, a future in a Pack and now his parents treating him like an adult.

His father glanced toward the hall then leaned forward. “I’ve received several phone calls this past week.”

“About me?” he asked.

“Alpha Nelson phoned first. Then a member of the Alpha Council. After that a sheriff from some town in New Mexico. A lot of people wanted me to know that you’ve been helping others.”

Mike smiled. He appreciated that his friends had cared enough to get involved, but he was scared to hope that this new attitude would last. “And the redecorating?”

His father smiled. “We’re going to be grandparents. Your brother is expecting his first pup. It’s given your mom a new outlook on a lot of things. I don’t think I would have been able to convince her to back off without this new turn.”

“I’m going to be an uncle. That’s awesome.” He wasn’t close to his brother, but maybe now that his relationship with his parents might be better, he could try with his siblings.

“Maybe,” his father said, “we’ll have more than one grandpup running around her soon.”

He laughed. “Give us time before you start pressuring us for kids, please.”

“I’ll try, but your mother has the bug.”

Mike couldn’t believe how different this visit was compared to what he’d been expecting. He was enjoying talking to his dad.

“Let’s go see if we can help.”

“Sure.” He followed his dad out of the sitting room. They walked down the long hall until they reached the entrance to the kitchen. Mike stopped and stared.

His mother, the woman he thought was cold and hard, had her head back laughing at something Becca said. He’d never seen his mom like that before.

Mike leaned against the door jamb. He smiled. It seemed like the Pack Daughter had the ability to bring more than her own people together.

Becca glanced up and noticed him. “Hey!” she said. “Your mom told me she’s going to be a grandma. Isn’t that great?”

“It is,” Mike agreed. He pushed off the wall to stroll forward. “I’ll totally be the cool uncle.”

She wrapped her arm around his waist once he’d reached her. Mike took her weight, holding her close. Before the house filled up with strangers and people he didn’t care about, Mike would enjoy being home, finally. Home, which was what Becca was to him.

Whether in her Pack territory or his, she was all he needed.