Chapter Eleven

"This was a mistake," Colt said from the backseat as Kellen pulled to the curb. "Shouldn't you be sweating as much as I am? I think you need to go home and heal some more. It's only been seventeen hours. You don't want to overdo it."

Kellen looked in his rearview mirror. He'd never seen his brother melting into panic like this. "Chill. It's just dinner."

Atlas turned in his seat. "My sister called and said my mom wanted me here for Sunday dinner. I told her I wasn't coming alone."

"But I bet you didn't tell her you were bringing two guys," Colt countered. "She probably assumed you were talking about Braylon."

Kellen held back a snarl at the name. "How's your seduction plan going?"

"I spotted them at Fearless Fox last night, before you got fucked up and Atlas had to drive Lucille home. When douchebag got up to use the bathroom, I made my move."

"Which one is douchebag?" Atlas asked. "Glen or Braylon?"

"Your ex," Colt clarified. "Within minutes, I had Braylon eating out the palm of my hand."

"I don't want to know." Atlas turned back around, pain evident in his eyes. "I thought I would want to know, but what he did still hurts."

Kellen entwined his fingers with his mate's. "Try to let it go, babe. We're about to go inside and face your family, and I need you to have your wits about you."

As calm as Kellen was on the outside, he was a mess on the inside. Not panicked like Colt, but Kellen had never met anyone's parents before, and he prayed he didn't say or do anything to embarrass his mate.

"I'll never talk about it in front of you again," Colt said in a gentle tone. "Just seeing how this affects you only fuels my need to make them pay." He glanced toward the house. "I still think I should have stayed home. They're already going to be intimidated by Kellen's size. You don't need to bring two massive gorillas to dinner."

Atlas got out and held the seat back for Colt to climb free. "You two are just as much family to me as the people inside that house," Atlas stated. "If any of them have a problem with either of you coming with me, then all three of us will leave together."

Kellen got out but took his time walking around the car so he could force back the emotions that flooded him. Not only had Atlas shown he wasn't afraid to take on anyone who thought to hurt Kellen, but his mate was willing to battle with his family, too.

There was no goddamn way Kellen deserved him.

He and Colt followed behind as Atlas opened the front door and walked inside. The first thought that came to Kellen's mind when he looked around was cozy. He could practically feel the love that had gone into making this house a home, in spite of the doilies.

He wasn't a fan of doilies, but they seemed to be spread everywhere, from the arms of the couch to sitting under various knickknacks in the China cabinet to his right. There was even a large one centered on the coffee table.

Kellen could also smell a succulent pot roast cooking. He hadn't had lunch, knowing he was going to Atlas's parents' house for dinner, and now his stomach was trying to eat its way out to get to the food.

"Son." A man with thick black hair stood when he spotted them. If it wasn't for the slight graying at his temples and the barely-there wrinkles around his eyes, Kellen would have thought him much younger.

"Dad." Atlas smiled, just as a beautiful young woman came from a room farther back. She was Atlas's height, and just as slender, but her black hair cascaded over her shoulders, curling at the ends. She had gray eyes, just like Atlas and the father, and the same smile as Kellen's mate.

"I thought for sure you'd blow the dinner off, turd." She hugged him and tousled his hair as if they were kids.

Kellen's chest ached at the love in their eyes for one another.

He and Colt used to act that way when their mother wasn't around, though those times were far and few. Just seeing Atlas interact with his sister had Kellen's throat growing tight.

"I'm Jacob Havis," Atlas dad said as he held out a hand.

Kellen shook it. "I'm Kellen Sager, and this is my brother, Colt."

Jacob shook Colt's hand in a firm grip. "I'm not trying to be rude, but did Atlas tell us he was bringing two guests?"

Colt glanced at the front door, but one look from Kellen stopped his brother from making a break for it.

"I told Jennifer that I wasn't coming alone." Atlas tried to fix his hair after his sister had messed with it.

Jennifer looked their way, as if just noticing Kellen and Colt. "Did you make friends with linebackers?" she asked. "I don't think I've ever seen anyone as tall as you two."

Atlas snorted. "There are plenty of tall men in Midnight Falls. I can't help it if you only notice Craig."

Jacob chuckled. "You two behave in front of our company. I don't want them thinking your mother and I raised cheeky brats."

Kellen wondered what their life would been like if their father hadn't been killed. Would their lives have been any different? From what few memories Kellen had of his father, he had been loving toward them.

Throughout his miserable childhood, Kellen had told himself that his mother had turned cold because she'd lost her mate. That her heart had been shattered and she hadn't had one left to give to her sons and nephew.

But the brief interaction with Atlas's family said the opposite. His mom had been a cruel and merciless person to begin with. She'd just hidden the fact from her mate. Once he was gone, there was no reason to hide what she was.

"How did you guys meet?" Jacob asked Kellen as he invited them to have a seat in the living room, resuming his spot on the recliner.

"I met Kellen at Fearless Fox, and I punched Colt in the jaw when we first met." Atlas came into the room, his sister nowhere around.

Jacob rolled his eyes. "Save that tall tale for someone who doesn't know you. My son, thankfully, isn't a brawler. He has way too much common sense and respect for others."

"He got me right here." Colt pointed to where Atlas had slugged him.

Kellen wanted to strangle his brother. Being on his own for so long had dulled his manners.

"Fine, don't tell me how you met my son, Colt. I'm just being nosy, anyway." Jacob smiled. "To be honest, you're not the type of men my son usually befriends."

"What type do I befriend?" Atlas asked, and Kellen could tell his mate's spine was getting rigid.

"I meant no offense," Jacob replied. "And I'm not accusing Kellen or Colt of anything nefarious. You just normally veer toward people who are the same size and build as you are. It's refreshing to see you expand your choices. I thought you would bring Braylon with you this evening, that's all."

Kellen's hackles rose at hearing that name again and knowing how much it hurt his mate.

"Braylon and I are no longer friends." Atlas sat on the couch between Kellen and Colt.

"What happened?" Jacob sat forward and grabbed his coffee cup from the table beside him. "You two are inseparable."

Kellen was dying to slide an arm around Atlas and hold him close. Atlas was his mate and needed comforting, but Kellen had told himself on the drive there that he would follow Atlas's cues. So far, his mate hadn't said anything about them dating, so Kellen kept his hands to himself.

Even if it was killing him not to touch Atlas.

"I saw him and Glen together, and not in a friendship sort of way." Atlas shrugged, clearly trying to hide how badly it affected him. "I found out the two were seeing each other behind my back."

"I'm sorry that happened, son." Jacob cleared his throat, as if uncomfortable with the topic. "It's good to see you've made more friends. You always were an outgoing person."

Atlas chucked a thumb at Kellen. "Ask him about his collection of muscle cars. You didn't see the car we drove up in."

Jacob's eyes lit up as he stood and glanced out the front window and then gave a low whistle. "That's a Camaro Z/28. Look at those gorgeous curves and that cherry-red coat. I bet she purrs like a kitten."

Atlas shoved at Kellen's arm and mouthed, "Take him outside to drool over it. Take Colt with you, too. He looks like he needs a hit of fresh air before he passes out."

"You're full of shit," Colt whispered to Atlas.

Kellen stood and asked, "Would you like to see what's under the hood, sir?"

"No need for formalities. Just call me Jacob." He headed for the door with a sprint in his step. Kellen grinned as he jerked his brother from the couch.

"You're into those kinds of cars, not me," Colt said in a loud whisper. "I have no clue what to say out there."

"Just lean against the car and look pretty," Atlas said. "I'm going to check on dinner."

"I've never been pretty a day in my life," Colt snarled at Atlas as he followed Kellen. "How about I just stand there and look intimidating so no one messes with our ride home?"

"Try not to intimidate the elderly neighbors too much." Atlas walked away.

Kellen shook his head then headed out the door to join his mate's dad. "I call her Lucille," he said when he was close enough to Jacob.

He stopped himself from mentioning that he had other muscle cars, not wanting to seem like he was showing off. Kellen wanted Jacob to see him as someone likable, not boastful.

Jacob ran his hand down the side of the hood. "You picked a perfect name for her." He turned to Kellen and eyed him. "My son used my love of these cars to distract me."

Uneasiness filled Kellen, unsure where this conversation was going. "I'm afraid I don't follow."

Jacob glanced to where Colt was leaning against the rear of the car before his gaze shot back to Kellen. "I'll admit that I'm not comfortable talking about anyone's sex life, especially my son's. Not because he's gay, but because my generation wasn't raised to be open about it." He crossed his arms. "Atlas doesn't want to tell me that you two are dating. Or is my son dating Colt?"

Without Atlas there to be a buffer, Kellen had to trust his instincts that Jacob was a good man. "Atlas and I are dating. He just voiced some concerns about certain family members finding out."

The guy clapped Kellen's upper arm. "I just wanted the truth. I have no issues with you dating Atlas, just don't do him dirty like the last guy."

"I don't plan to, sir." Kellen had been right about Jacob.

The front door swung open. "Dinner's ready!" Jennifer called out.

Colt pushed from the car and joined them as the three headed inside.

Kellen and Colt were directed into the dining room, where a long table was set for their meal with plates and silverware already laid out.

In the middle of the table sat a tray with a delicious-looking pot roast surrounded by bowls of carrots, mashed potatoes, and a mound of dinner rolls.

The size of the roast was impressive, but Kellen could easily finish one on his own. If he still felt hungry afterward, he planned to make a pit stop at the diner before heading back home.

"Monica, this is Kellen and Colt. They're Atlas's dinner guests," Jacob said to his wife just as Atlas joined them.

"Ma'am." Kellen smiled at her before he sat down, Colt doing the same. It was Kellen's first look at her, and he had to admit, Monica Havis was stunningly beautiful. Her wavy hair reached her shoulders, framing her delicate features.

Now Kellen saw where his mate had gotten his bone structure from. It seemed the Havis family, aside from Jacob, were dainty and fine-boned.

That was one of the things that had attracted Kellen to Atlas in the first place.

"It's nice to meet you both." Monica sat, but Kellen hadn't gotten a warm vibe from her. He decided to ignore her obvious displeasure at their presence. "Where's Braylon, Atlas?" she asked.

"Probably making out with Glen," Atlas replied.

Jennifer stared wide-eyed at her brother. "You never told me about this. What happened? How did you find out?"

"That is not polite dinner conversation," Monica scolded her children.

"You asked," Atlas defended. "I was just being honest."

"Settle down." Jacob sliced the roast, the juices escaping. "You two can talk about Braylon after dinner, Jennifer. We have company, and I'm sure they don't want to hear this kind of talk at the table."

"It doesn't bother me," Colt said.

Monica glared at Colt before her gaze swung to Kellen. When she saw Kellen was watching her, she gave him a frosty look before glancing away.

"You're doing it again," Atlas said to his mom.

"What?" she asked. "I was merely stating that your dirty laundry shouldn't be aired while we're eating dinner."

"It isn't my dirty laundry," Atlas said between clenched teeth.

Kellen squeezed his mate's knee under the table. Getting into an argument over Braylon wasn't worth it.

The plate with the sliced roast was passed around, along with the side dishes. Jennifer rose and grabbed the glass pitcher with lemonade, poured herself a glass, then handed it to Colt.

The lemonade reminded Kellen of the cookout at Morgan's. How he wished he was there right now instead of here with Monica sitting across the table covertly staring daggers at him.

Colt dug in as if he hadn't noticed or didn't care that Monica was trying to make them vanish with her frosty expression. Too bad Kellen couldn't be oblivious. Even if he paid her no mind, his wolf was snarling fiercely.

"What do you do for a living, Kellen?" Jacob asked as everyone began to eat.

From the corner of his eye, Kellen saw Atlas look up at him. "I invested in the stock market and live off the dividends."

Jacob's brows rose. "I rely on a small investment company to do that for me since I don't understand the first thing about how the market works. From the car outside, I would say you know what you're doing."

From trial and error. Kellen couldn't count how many times he'd lost money before learning how to analyze market trends, identify promising companies, and make strategic trades as stocks fluctuated throughout the day.

When Colt had first come to live with him, his brother had asked Kellen to do the same with what money he had. Now the guy had a nice-sized nest egg that just kept on growing.

With as long as their kind lived, it was the only way that Kellen knew of to stack some serious cash. In the beginning, when he'd finally learned how to invest, he'd used the dividends to buy larger amounts of stock.

Now Kellen could live for a very long time off what he'd made and was still making. So could Colt.

"It's hard work, and the market isn't always stable," Kellen admitted.

"Maybe you could show my fiancé how to invest," Jennifer said in an offhanded way as she sipped her lemonade. "Craig has a good job, but our wedding is bleeding our savings account."

"Let's save that talk for another time," Monica said. "You don't know Kellen, so I wouldn't advise discussing your finances without Craig's consent."

Kellen ground his teeth, trying his best not to let Monica get under his skin. That wasn't easy since her haughty tone reminded him too much of the way his own mother used to talk.

"You two can chat after dinner," Atlas said to his sister. "I'm sure Kellen wouldn't mind."

"Would you?" Jennifer asked.

"Not at all," Kellen replied, giving her a warm smile.

"Thanks." She returned his smile. "Craig has been worried we won't be able to afford a house anytime soon."

"Jennifer," Monica snapped. "What did I just tell you?"

"What harm is there in just listening to Kellen?" Atlas asked. "He's not offering to invest their money for them, Mom. Besides, everyone knows that weddings are expensive, so Jennifer isn't telling us anything we don't already know."

"Watch your tone," Monica snapped.

Kellen held back his growl at the way she was speaking to his mate, uncaring that she was Atlas's mother.

"You're doing it again." Atlas threw his napkin on the table as he stood. "I knew I shouldn't have come over for dinner. Any guy I bring here, you make uncomfortable. Kellen has been nothing but polite, even though you've been giving him hateful, frosty looks since we sat down."

"Atlas." Kellen rested his hand on his mate's arm.

"No, Kellen." A brewing storm shot across Atlas's gray eyes. "I'm sick and tired of my mom pretending that her son isn't gay and treating my boyfriends like they're the enemy of the state."

"So he isn't just a friend," Monica said.

"What does it matter?" Jennifer argued. "Why can't you accept that Atlas is gay?"

"Enough!" Monica stood, pressing her fingers into the table.

"Sit down!" Jacob roared at his wife as he shot from his seat.

Even if Monica was being a tyrant, Kellen didn't like any woman being talked to that way. But Atlas's dropped jaw and Jennifer's bulging eyes told Kellen that Jacob had never spoken harshly to his wife before.

Even Monica stood there with a stunned expression.

"I've had it with your attitude toward our son's dating life." Jacob slapped his hand on the table. "I never said anything when it came to Glen because he was a pretentious prick that I couldn't stand."

Atlas slowly sat. Jennifer laughed then covered her mouth, her brows still raised. Colt kept right on eating as if the drama wasn't going to stop him from enjoying his meal.

"But it's obvious from the way Atlas looks at Kellen that this is different," Jacob continued, his voice still rising. "Our boy is in love, Monica. You are my heart, my everything, but I won't allow you to scare Kellen away and drive a deeper wedge between you and Atlas. You're acting just like your mother did when you and I first started dating!"

Monica slowly sank into her chair, unshed tears in her eyes.

"You're so worried about what the ladies in your knitting circle will say, but their opinion isn't more important than our son's happiness." Jacob's tone had finally returned to normal. "I apologize for the outburst, but you needed to hear that."

Out of everything Jacob had just said, Kellen was focused on the part where Atlas was in love with him. Was it true? If so, why hadn't Kellen realized it?

Monica rose again, but this time, she left the room.

"I'll talk to her." Jennifer got up and went after her mother.

"I'm sorry you two had to witness that," Jacob said to Kellen and Colt. "My wife really is a great woman, but she worries too much about other's opinions. Please, enjoy your meal before it gets cold."

"I've never seen you like that," Atlas said. "It was kind of scary."

"It was a long time coming." Jacob sighed. "I just wish it hadn't exploded out of me." He looked at Kellen. "I've never spoken to my wife that way, and I feel terrible for doing so, but she really is acting like her mother." He shivered. "Mildred was the worst."

Jacob had no idea how worse a woman could be since he'd never met Kellen's mom. "Your apology is unnecessary when you were sticking up for my mate."

Too late he realized what he'd let slip.

The guy sat back, studying Kellen. "I've lived in Midnight Falls for a very long time, Kellen. I'm deeply rooted in this community and very little gets past me."

That uneasy feeling from earlier resurfaced.

"What are you driving at?" Atlas ate a forkful of carrots, as if Jacob's suspicious gaze wasn't anything to worry about. Either Atlas was clueless as to what his father was implying or he was a damn good actor.

Sitting forward, Jacob rested his arms on the table. "I'm friends with certain people in this town. I'm privy to things that are highly guarded secrets. Tell me, Kellen. Are you one of those who guards those secrets, too?"

Atlas glanced toward the kitchen before looking at his dad. "Are you asking if Kellen is a shifter?" he whispered.

Jacob's and Kellen's gazes met. "That's exactly what I'm asking," Atlas's dad replied.

Colt chuckled. "Didn't see that one coming." He set aside his fork, his plate empty, not even a crumb surviving. "We're wolves, Jacob."

"Does Mom know those secrets?" Atlas whispered.

"No." Jacob shook his head. "Your mother and Jennifer are clueless, and I want to keep it that way." He directed his gaze back to Kellen. "If Atlas is your mate, you better keep my son safe because I know how dangerous your world is. Are we clear?"

Kellen nodded. "Crystal."

With a smile, Jacob sat back. "Welcome to the family, boys."