Chapter Forty-Eight

Kerry

Kerry spent most of the day talking things over with the Alpha, making final plans for the upcoming battle. The day felt long, and Kerry's body was sore when he walked into his house that night.

He found Demetria sitting on his floor with Claire and Cynthia. They had an array of snacks, drinks, and what looked like Sabrina's diary, with music playing in the background. If he didn't know any better, he would guess that Demetria wasn't as suspicious about Cynthia as he thought.

Her bright gaze lifted to meet his, and she smiled. "Hey! About time, you made it in. I have a plate of food for you in the microwave. I grilled you a steak."

Kerry's stomach grumbled at the thought of a good steak. "Have you already eaten?"

She nodded and flipped another page of the diary.

"You know one day we're going to come in at the same time and sit down like a family should."

She glanced up at him. "Alone?"

He gave her a look. "What do you mean alone? Do you want to cook for the entire pack?"

"Just us? Or kids, too?"

The question stalled him. He hadn't thought Demetria's mind would be on making a family, or at least making one this soon. His mouth opened and then closed. Claire hid behind a bag of popcorn as if enjoying the show.

"What's so funny, Claire?" Kerry asked from across the room.

She shifted so her back was to him, and continued eating her popcorn without a word.

Laughing, Demetria leaned back against the couch. "Don't get too upset, Kerry. I was just curious if that was something you would want."

Cynthia eyed him for a quick second, but grabbed Sabrina's diary and picked up where Demetria left off.

Demetria walked over and looped her arms around his neck. "We don't have to—"

"I want to," he blurted out. "I've always wanted a family. Some pups running around, your belly swollen with our kid. It's a werewolf's biggest goal in life to have children. It's part of the reason we feel we're put here on earth. To reproduce, and find our true mate."

Demetria smiled and lifted onto her tiptoes. "Well," she whispered, "as soon as we have handled all of this craziness, we'll start working on that."

Kerry's wolf spun in excited circles. Yes. Yes. Yes.

"Yeah?" he asked, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

"Absolutely."

Kerry wasn't sure what his mark did to her, but he figured it heightened the mating bond, and gave her all the same urges that he had himself. The promise settled in his chest and made his heart smile. "Promise?" he asked.

"Pinky," she said.

"Okay," Claire said, standing up to wipe her hands on her jeans. "I'm a hybrid, my hearing is too good for this conversation, no matter how low you speak. I'm going to the pack house. Axel has been texting for the last hour. He gets lonely, apparently."

Cynthia waved her off. "Your aunt and I have this under control. Go see your mate. You deserve some alone time together after all you both have put into preparing."

Claire stood up and dug out her phone from her pocket. Kerry watched her face as she read something on the screen. "Oh, Dad's here."

"He agreed to help us?" Kerry asked.

She nodded, but stopped and gave Demetria a look over her shoulder. "Oh, God."

"What is it?" Demetria asked.

"I was right, he brought his girlfriend with him. Great," Claire hissed. "Just freaking great. How awkward. Why would he do this now? It's not the time for a meet-and-greet."

Demetria gave Kerry a look. "Well, let's go meet her, Claire. It won't be that bad."

Claire gave her a deadpan look back. "Seriously?"

Demetria walked over, looped her arm through hers, and began to drag her toward the front door. "Come on, guys. Let's meet Claire's new stepmom."

"Stop it," she hissed.

Kerry followed behind them along the trail and toward the pack house, listening to Claire mumble and grumble under her breath. Cynthia lagged between them, humming and walking as if she belonged. It almost seemed to Kerry that she felt welcome and at home there. Would it hurt to have two witches to help fight off possible threats in the future? If she turned out to be a good witch, which he hoped, then he may talk to the alpha about it.

They made their way around the corner of the pack house to where the alpha greeted Claire's father.

His gaze traveled over toward them, and Claire waved awkwardly at him, but he didn't respond. He stared forward, and it even made Kerry glance over his shoulder to make sure someone wasn't walking behind them.

The blonde woman standing next to him was a shewolf and smiled at Claire as if she knew her. Claire didn't return the smile. "Hey, Dad," she said dramatically. "Your only daughter here."

Kerry laughed at her tantrum. He hadn't expected Claire to be so worried about her dad finding a new woman. Demetria elbowed her hard. "Knock it off. Hey!" she called out. "It's good to see you, Mr. Summers."

He didn't move.

Kerry looked around the group, and noticed a weird look on Cynthia's face as well. Her gaze lowered to the ground, and suddenly she stopped moving. Claire glanced between Cynthia and her father slowly. "What's going on?" she asked. "Do you know him?"

Mr. Summers stepped away from the blonde next to him and stalked forward like a man on a mission. Claire's mouth popped open and Demetria's eyes widened. It wasn't until he stopped in front of Cynthia, and lifted her chin, that Kerry understood.

"You're my mate," he said so softly that Kerry wasn't sure he'd heard it.

Cynthia nodded slowly, her gaze lifted toward him, and Mr. Summers smiled. It was the first time Kerry could remember seeing him truly smile.

"You need to tell her that," Cynthia said, her gaze moving toward the she-wolf that looked ready to take Cynthia's head clear off her shoulders.

"You've got to be kidding me," Claire mumbled.