Chapter 15

I fixated on that because it was easier to deal with than feelings I didn’t know what to do with. I couldn’t believe he had a job. Like an actual job, by the sounds of it. My father didn’t make his money at anything traditional; he lived off the generosity of the clan. And since the clan would do anything to appease their alpha, my father lived very well indeed. Logically, I knew my father wasn’t the best example of what an alpha should be, but I still couldn’t wrap my head around it.

“Trey works?” The incredulity in my tone was apparent. I didn’t even feel bad about it.

Duncan looked up from plating breakfast, his brow crinkled. “Of course, he does. He owns two restaurants. One here on pack lands, and another in Mariot. He has reliable staff he trusts to run things on the day to day, but there are things only he can resolve.”

“That makes sense,” I said for lack of anything better to say.

Duncan smiled as he brought my plate to the table. “Everyone contributes to the pack, even the alpha. Trey may lead us, and do a damn fine job of it, but he’s not above us.” He gripped my shoulder. “We’ll find a place for you, when you’re ready.”

I froze with my fork halfway to my mouth. “What?”

Duncan’s smile never wavered. “You’re staying, right?”

“Uh.” I swallowed hard. “I don’t know.”

He squeezed my shoulder, then moved away to retrieve the coffeepot. He held it up in offering, but I shook my head. With a shrug, he poured himself a cup. “You should, Asher. I know Trey—”

“Daddy!” Nora came tearing into the room, her wings fluttering behind her. Whatever Duncan had been about to say about Trey was lost to his daughter’s demand for attention. “When’s Dad coming home?”

Duncan swooped his daughter into his arms, making her giggle. He placed a smacking kiss on her cheek. “He’ll be home on Tuesday.”

She frowned. “Is it Tuesday?”

“It’s Friday,” he said patiently. “And tomorrow is Saturday. Then Sunday. And then…?”

“Mon-dee!” she crowed.

“That’s right!” He held up a hand and she gave him a high five. “And after Monday is Tuesday, and that’s when Dad will be home.”

Her glee at her daddy’s antic turned to a pout in an instant. “But that’s forevvvver.”

“I know, sweetheart. Hey, do you want to call him?”

“Yes!” Then seeing her father’s face, she quickly added, “Please.”

Duncan set her down, pulled his phone from his pocket, tapped at the screen, and handed it over. Nora held the device like it was precious, and I heard the strange ring that indicated a video call. A moment later, a deep voice said, “Hey, baby girl,” and Nora squealed in delight.

She started babbling a mile a minute, and I could make out only every other word. But she headed into the living room, the phone held up so her dad could, apparently, admire her dress. I wanted to ask where Nora’s other dad was, but I didn’t feel it was my place.

“My husband is in Pennsylvania, visiting his family pack.”

I knew I hadn’t spoken out loud, but I appreciated Duncan offering the information. I took a bite, chewed, and swallowed before I spoke. “You didn’t want to go with him?’

For the first time, I saw something like anger on Duncan’s normally joyful face. And it was clear his wolf was at the forefront. His eyes glowed for a moment before he got himself under control. “Lee is from a very conservative pack with very conservative ideals.” He huffed a sigh and took the dishes to the sink. “His family hates that he’s gay, and that he’s married to me. They won’t even acknowledge our children because we used a surrogate.”

My stomach curdled and I was no longer hungry. My clan was much the same. Though admittedly far less homophobic. At least same-sex couples were tolerated in the clan. I came out to my parents at the tender age of ten. It wasn’t the relationship itself my clan had a problem with, more due to the fact that these couples couldn’t have children. Not naturally, at any rate. The point of relationships was to procreate and grow the clan. That was the elders’ view.

“I’m sorry, Duncan. That sucks.”

“It does. But he also feels obligated to visit on occasion, especially since his parents are aging. So he goes by himself, and we wait for him to come home.”

The sounds of squabbling reached us and Duncan sprinted out of the room. I was right behind him, though I wasn’t sure why. Clearly the man could handle his own children. But Nora was crying and Charlie was red-faced with clenched fists. The phone lay on the floor, screen black.