Chapter 46

A minute or two passed and the elevator dinged signaling that my uncle and my dad were here. Hayden trailed behind me, and I slowly walked up to them as I was apprehensive. When I got close enough for them to really see me, both of their faces went white.

My father was the first to talk. “What, what the hell happened?”

“What no hug or anything first.” I choked out. I wanted to postpone this conversation as long as I could. I hoped they bought into what I would tell them.

Uncle Dave spoke next. “Ember, seriously what happened. You know what we are talking about.” I knew they wanted to know about the facial scars. Hayden came and put his arms around me. He was comforting me as he knew I didn’t really like to talk about the scars.

I was lucky most people at least in the pack didn’t say anything. But anyone outside of the pack always commented on them. I heard it all the time when I ventured out and it always made me uncomfortable when people asked. Normally I would say it is none of their business, but I couldn’t do this to family. They deserved to know even if it was a lie they were getting.

“I, fell through a glass window. And the glass cut up my face pretty badly.”

“I'll say.” my dad said. My uncle Dave looked at me. He could always tell if I was lying. They question was is he going to call me on it. In the past he called me out, but other times he would give me a look but let me keep the secret.

He gave me a disapproving look, and I let out the breath I was holding in. “Well, that is quite a story.” he said sarcastically. My dad never picked up my lies.

“Anyways, who is this?” my uncle asked looking up at Hayden. He was much taller than me and taller than both my uncle and father.

“This is Hayden.” My dad stuck his arm out.

“Well, it is nice to meet you. I am Scott.” Hayden went to shake his hand.

“Nice to meet you, and you must be Dave.” He went to shake my uncle's hand.

Well, come on in. I can show you to your rooms. “

“Rooms?”

“Yeah, there is two guest rooms.”

“Oh okay.” I show them to their room and then went to the kitchen to meet Hayden.”

Hayden spoke. “It is going fine no reason to worry.”

“Dave knows I am lying.”

“Yeah, I picked that up. At least he didn’t call you on it.”

“That is good but is he going to do that when the inevitably ask about my job.”

“Just relax.” He said as he began to hug me. His warm embrace was calming. His warmth was smoothing my nerves. There was a cough. I let go of Hayden and felt the loss of contact with him. He said over mind link “relax”

“Are you guys hungry” I asked

“I could eat.” My dad said. Dave seemed to have relaxed more and it made me less uncomfortable.

“I will make some chicken parmesan if everyone is okay with that.”

“I remembered seeing the ingredients in the groceries.”

“That sounds great Ember.”

“Do anyone want some water or coke?”

“I will take a coke.” Dave said

My dad and Hayden were not thirsty. I began to get the ingredients out and begin cooking Hayden helped and my uncle and father sat at the stools watching. It took 10 minutes to get everything ready and I put the chicken in the oven.

“There it will be ready in 35 minuets.”

“We can go sit in the living room.” Hayden offered.

“That sounds good to me.”

We all made our way to the living room. Once seated Hayden rested his hand on my thigh. It was common among mates to be touching as much as possible. Even if it was something as small as a hand on the small of the back.

My dad looked at his hand on my thigh. “You know I am not exactly thrilled that my daughter is living with you. You are not even married.”

“Dad.”

“Well, you aren’t, are you?” Werewolves really didn’t see the need to get married. They usually did courthouse weddings when they had kids to get tax benefits, but it wasn’t a whole ordeal as mattings were determined by fate. It wasn’t like with humans who chose their partners.

Mates where something so different, as another person was made for you. I mean sure, you could reject your mate but that hardly ever happened. But how would I explain that to my family. Before I could come up with a sufficient answer, Hayden answered for me.

“No, we are not legally married yet. However, we did have a small ceremony of sorts. It is a tradition in my family. The way I was raised it is much deeper than a legal wedding. But yes, we should rectify the situation soon."

Hayden was smart. He didn’t lie. I know he was referring to me taking my oath. I smiled at him. Dave cut in. “I am sorry, but Ember can your father and I talk to you in private.”

“Umm, yeah I guess.” In truth I had no problem with that seeing as I could just repeat it all to Hayden over mind link. Hayden got up and went to who knows where. After he left my uncle started in.

“Are you pregnant?”

“What no.”

“This is all weird.”

“What do you mean.” My dad interjected.

“You never told us you were seeing anyone. You move away for college then drop out for an amazing job that pays for my rehab. Which was not a cheap thing at all. Then we come out here to find you all cut up, living with your boss and you are talking about a weird ceremony thing and marriage. It just doesn’t sound like you. It sounds insane in all truth.”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself.” Dave pats him on the back.