4

Most people got to rest on their weekends, or certainly after having such a crazy productive Saturday they deserved Sunday off… Except it was Father's Day and we had a whole party planned at the club for the dads of the pack and even supes of Chicago. We were extending it to the others, but they were only allowed to use the dining area while we were up in the club.

So it was more having the safe spot to gather that would be cleaned up after but we wanted to do our own thing as wolves. At least for this.

Ashley had come to me months ago about a conversation she'd overheard of her dad's. Freddie was much better paid now as a Beta from the tithes given the state of the pack and how much income we were making, but he was still prudent. He focused on paying down the credit card debt they'd gotten into under Engle. Their house being mortgaged to its limit.

The important stuff with interest rates. Also, saving.

Which meant he and his wife—who also worked full time—Jessica were prudent with their spending. I knew they were focusing on necessary improvements to their house now that they were above water.

But Ashley had overheard Freddie saying he felt awkward being at the fancy events in his old suit especially with the twins having expensive custom-tailored ones. Plus, Dain always dressed sharp and… He felt lacking.

And I'd never wanted that. That had never been the goal of me trying to be good to the twins.

I thanked her for bringing it to my attention and also had a conversation with Joan who was mated to another Beta, Nestor. She admitted he felt lacking as well, and Theon came from money, so he was always fancy too.

Our last Beta, Christos, did not come from money, so we'd have to work it on the side or as a bonus. He was single and… We'd make it work. The Betas of Chicago should have a nice suit for formal gatherings.

We talked to some of the others who were looking for Father's Day gifts and put a whole idea together. It took some effort, but then we realized it couldn't be done in advance because they all needed specific tailoring and might have different styles—we could at least have some fun with it.

Once everyone had plates for brunch and were sitting, I moved up front and smiled when people politely quieted down.

"I'm glad we can gather like this and are able to celebrate the dads of the pack—that we have good dads to celebrate," I greeted, nodding when people clapped. "You've done a good job, dads. We've got some really great kids in the pack—even the ones who are adults now. I interact with those ones more; plus, they can speak."

I gave a little wave to the Martin's baby who let out a squeal while everyone chuckled.

"Many of the ‘kids' asked me for help getting you guys something special for Father's Day this year. The pack is doing well and—" I swallowed loudly "—I'm here this year."

I hated to bring down the mood, but pretending it didn't happen would solve nothing. People went through lot while I was gone and stepped up. That should always be acknowledged.

"In that respect, we have some aunts and uncles of the pack that we need to not leave out. Like we did for Mother's Day, we'll thank the uncles here as we did the aunts. We have a lot of big sisters and brothers who step up, and even if they're not your kids, you've contributed.

"I was taught by the twins early that it takes a village to raise kids, and I feel that way for new wolves. We come into a pack a bit like babies and need to learn our way. We thrive by doing better together. Some are learning that. Some of you are stepping into the roles and we appreciate it."

I glanced over to the right and nodded to Vinn.

"I could talk all day about how awesome you guys are," I said, smiling when people chuckled. No, no, I couldn't. I hated being the center of attention, and I was glad the pack accepted that about me. "Just know your kids and those who love you already paid for your gifts, so there's no taking it back or turning it down. We also got a discount."

Vinn led in several fairies and elves who were helping out and in charge of a rolling rack each of sample suits. She also had the clipboard with all of the information.

"Fairy material doesn't work well with conventional suits that are fashionably accepted for men and human standards," she explained. "However, our queen is close friends with many designers and one in Vegas especially who has a custom shop that is very popular."

That was an understatement. The cheapest suit I'd seen from the catalog was three fucking grand. Nothing custom or tailor-made was cheap but like damn.

They were worth it though. It included warranties and alterations for ten years. They were expensive suits meant to last.

With one caveat… Shifting not included. If they shifted and shredded the suit, that wasn't covered under the warranty.

Yeah, that was fair.

Ashley was adorable as she lost her patience and practically dragged Freddie out of their booth rambling that she thought she had the perfect suit for him.

"Me?" he gasped. "Ashley, you can't be spending your money on things like this that—"

I darted over there when I saw her face fall. "She worked extra to help Nina with the flowers for spells to get the money instead of going out like other kids because she loves you. Don't crap on that." I gave him a stern look. "We're also getting a heavy discount for ordering so many. Plus, the designer himself isn't making these but his apprentices. That was part of the deal."

He nodded that he heard me before glancing back to Ashley and wincing. "I'm sorry, baby." He hugged her tightly. "I don't want you to spend your hard-earned money on me like this. That's all."

"Why? You do on me," she argued, sounding hurt.

"I know, but it's my job as your dad. I love you and—"

"Oh well, I don't love you," she drawled. "Mom's right and you're an idiot."

"I am," he chuckled, kissing her hair. "Okay, show me how to be cool."

"There is no way my baby worked extra to afford this," Nestor said to Joan, looking ready to be upset as well.

"No, but a few of the pups you've helped out when they were infected—several of them actually—chipped in to thank you for all you've done," she told him as she handed over a card they'd all signed.

Vinn handed me some cards as well and I thanked her.

I went over to Christos and gave him one. "From the boys." He was shocked. Not to leave Theon out, he got one too even if he could afford his own suit. He graciously thanked me, and I saw both of them go over to the rabbits and thank them as well.

"We already have suits," Hagan muttered as I came over to my table.

"You do, but you can have more than one nice suit," I reminded all of them. "This is from the boys."

He frowned. "Not Topher?"

"You're getting something else from Topher when it's just us," I told him. There was no way I was giving them their gifts in front of the whole pack and making people feel bad.

I wasn't that dense.

Brian, Reagan, and Dain all accepted. Axel and Eugene were shocked to receive cards since they'd basically come for free food and to help out. They'd done a lot to help the boys and a lot of people in the pack. If we were celebrating those who took fatherly roles and were basically uncles, they counted.

Noah, Carter, and a few other of the ancients were getting them as well, but none of the vamps were there for the event. The boys could explain it all to them later.

Brutus already knew since he was their tutor for so long and he hated gatherings and group activities. Plus, I was pretty sure he was locked in his office working on edits for his new book and we wouldn't see him until that was done.

It went over ridiculously well, and people were thrilled for something so nice from their kids or those who loved them. Vinn had the final number, but I knew it was over fifty suits, so everyone would have to be patient and understand they wouldn't be here next week like with Amazon.

Plus, that was part of the discounted price. We were in between pricy orders and important clients. I was fine with that, but I made it clear that I still expected them all before Christmas.

There was a limit to how far I would let my people be pushed back when we were still paying.

"Princess, the designer is asking about promo shots and if some in your inner circle would be willing or interested," Vinn told me. She bit back a smile when I frowned. "You have some rather attractive partners. He's caught up on the latest gossip and who stands at your side. They are all ‘model sexy and gorgeous' according to him."

"Talk to them and see what they can get out of it." I shrugged. I didn't care if they were willing or wanted to. I didn't think they would really want to do it.

Then again… We liked free stuff.

"Is he fine making it clear they're supes and he is supe-friendly?"

She frowned. "Yes, he does constantly working with our queen."

Right, duh. "Great. Yeah, I know the twins probably need tuxes." Again, I shrugged.

Brian was probably the only one who would be out. He couldn't ever go undercover anymore since he'd first been a division chief and now section chief since his picture was on the FBI website, but they still wouldn't like him modeling. Or what did I know when it came to the boys club?

They wouldn't like it for me . I knew that.

Everyone seemed to be having a lot of fun while the dads getting the suits took turns looking through the selection and then being measured. The rest of us ate and ate, Topher having the time of his life that we were all gathered together and doing something special.

The boys loaded the carts with dirty dishes and I helped by pushing one of them to the elevator in between rounds of eating… And caught a conversation I wasn't meant to.

"Look, there's no easy way to say this and we could totally be wrong," Freddie said quietly. "But we don't think we are, and I'd want to know if it was Jessica even if I was wrong."

"Tell me," Reagan replied.

I knew it was him because I looked over my shoulder and saw Hagan dancing around with Topher on his hip. Normally, I would be able to tell by scent, but everything from the plates and being near the buffet clouded my nose.

"We think something is wrong with Sera. She can't tell who is lying to her," Freddie blurted.

"No, you're seeing—" Reagan started to argue.

So he didn't know. He hadn't noticed… While Freddie and Jessica had. Wow.

Ouch.

"One of the kids fibbed right in front of her that working for the suit wasn't a big deal. Sera didn't even flinch . She normally stops them and makes them take credit, not blow off their good deeds even when she's the worst one to accept praise. She tries and doesn't want the kids to pick up that bad habit. She's said that. But she didn't even flinch , Reagan. She still always—"

"Flinches when someone lies around her. She's still not used to being able to tell and how often people lie," he muttered. "Yeah, okay, I could get that, but it was one time and she's tired. We're all tired and—"

"It's not one time," Freddie muttered. "I've caught it a few times but thought I was just being too much. Jessica the same, but when we both saw it now, we shared a look, and I knew she thought the same and I needed to say something."

Listening to this conversation wasn't emotionally healthy for me especially when Reagan argued again. Plus, I didn't want Freddie and Jessica to worry about me when they had so much going on as well.

I pushed the cart closer and smiled when they both jumped, focused on Freddie. "Eva lands tomorrow and she knows. She knows how to work me through it and—my wolf is wounded after what happened with my birth mother, but also it messed up my maturing. Carter has taken a vacation so he can always be around to make sure I'm protected from that."

He let out a relieved sigh. "Okay, good, and I'm sorry I didn't come to you. I didn't know—I would freak if it was me and I didn't know how to break that with all you have going on." He swallowed loudly and gave me a look of pity before excusing himself.

And I knew it wasn't about me not being able to smell lies.

No, it was that he noticed but Reagan didn't.

"So he was right?" Reagan whispered, his voice near panic.

I hit the elevator button harder than needed, getting on when the doors immediately opened. I turned to face him and decided to take the cart down instead of leaving it there.

"Yeah, I'm so messed up and disconnected from my wolf that she doesn't trust herself to sense lies after she was so wrong about my birth family and blamed me. So why don't you go worry about Eddie some more?" I felt petty for landing that dig when he flinched, but he still hadn't apologized for the way he'd ganged up on me with Brian.

Whereas Brian had the next morning realizing it was his wolf that had been riding him to be loyal to family. Reagan simply hadn't brought it up.

Nor come to see me alone.

Or tried to be intimate with me.

Nothing. Not even a damn text.

We'd made all of this progress but… Men.

Seriously, fucking men were too much sometimes.

He gave chase though, finding me in the kitchen. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I was a jerk. I've tried to come talk to you and—"

"Here and now isn't the place," I cut in, nodding to everyone in the kitchen pretending not to listen in. "And Topher is super excited for what is coming up. He worked his baby brain on overdrive to get this right understanding it was to show how much he loved you guys." I turned to walk away, but he tried to hug me and I shoved him.

He couldn't hide his shock, but I thought it was fair.

"I understood Carter catching it. He's always up my everything as the head of security and—I understood that. It hurt Noah did when I see him the least, but he's known me the longest, and he's really my best friend too, not just tied to me," I rasped, quickly wiping my eyes. "But now Freddie and Jessica caught it. Jessica? And you guys didn't? I…"

I walked off shaking my head. It hurt.

I thought I was valid in feeling hurt on this.

I didn't go right back to the party, heading up to the roof instead to let the wind up there clear my head a bit. It took a few minutes, but then I had myself under control and rejoined the party. It was wrapping up by then and Topher was basically ready to explode with the surprise.

Smiling as I took him from Gail, I lowered my forehead to his. "Yeah, it's time, baby boy. Let's go show your dads your present."

"It must be good," Gail chuckled.

"Topher knows how to spoil and show his love already," I told her. "He focused really hard and changed his mind like ten times at least." I winked at her since she knew he was special and advanced for a baby.

The boys were excited too since they'd helped and given insight into what they knew.

We led Dain, Hagan, Reagan, and Brian out to the back of the club. Axel and Eugene tagged along, but we cut it off after that. I really didn't want others to be made to feel guilty.

"Just so we're clear, Topher picked for each of you and with reason so keep that in mind," I warned, making it clear with my eyes I would flatten them if they messed this up even as I thought about dancing animals since I was touching Topher. They all nodded but were sharing looks. I turned around and Topher let out a huge squeal. "Happy Father's Day!"

The boys echoed me and Topher kept going, looking like he was ready to pass out he was so happy.

I nodded at the images from him and handed him off to Hagan first, realizing I would need to interpret for him. " Apparently , you have thought about your time in the Marines too much around your son. You love your truck but miss driving the Hummers. And you love getting to drive around with him and he loves it too. He also picked the color."

Tommy jumped in to make sure they knew that Topher's brain had developed enough to see color as we did and he knew what Hagan liked. Also, the car seat that was right for him was already installed inside and it was ready for them to have fun.

Topher stopped squealing and his lower lip quivered as he gave Hagan a hurt look.

"I love it, buddy," Hagan whispered, kissing his head. "I-I'm just shocked. I didn't—I love our drives too. I love sharing car stuff with you. Tophie, I love it! It's perfect." He assured Topher a few more times and then Topher seemed happy again.

"He wants you to get in and get him in his seat," I told Hagan. "But you have to give the other presents and they're all in a bit of shock." I sent him images to help with what I was saying.

My heart melted when that lower lip quivered again and tears filled his eyes.

"He's worried that you don't know how much he loves you if you're all so shocked," I warned them.

That snapped the other three out of their shock and they all cooed around him and asked which vehicle was for who.

Next to the Hummer was a loaded Ram truck with a huge engine and all the bells and whistles for Reagan. Custom color as well.

Then it was a Benz SUV for Dain… And not a real vehicle for Brian.

I pulled him off to the side while Topher squealed with Reagan and Cory told him why Topher wanted the massive truck for him. "Topher knew you love your current car too much and it's sentimental. Plus, super expensive. He caught that. He doesn't understand it, but he understands it."

"I figured he didn't love me less," he mumbled… While crossing his arms over his broad chest.

"No, not at all, and the twins and Dain can take him with to work or work with him. He got it in his head that you can't because it's not a place you can push a stroller around. He heard you talking about not having enough carts in the budget." I gave him a look and understanding filled his eyes. "For as advanced as he is, he does not get money value yet."

"Right, of course, I'm being silly," he whispered, rubbing his hand over his head.

"No, not on this one. I would have wondered too." I nodded when he looked at me. "I really would have, Bri. We're all allowed our petty worries and thoughts. You said that too when I was jealous of the attention you guys give Topher sometimes since he's my brother, not just my son. You don't want to feel like the least loved of his dads. But you're not. None of you are."

"Thanks, babe," he whispered, leaning in and kissing my hair before rejoining the group.

He took his turn holding Topher and gushing over his gift, totally stoked over it. It was on a trailer even if it was probably street legal to use it was so fucking cool. But it worked well since Reagan was still covering as a trainer while Dain's replacements got their training, so he could tow it out there for Brian tomorrow.

I cut in to tell Topher that I was tired and he could play with his dads until naptime but not to give them or Maya a hard time. He made sure to give me kisses but was glad to have "boy" time with his dad and the boys too.

And yes, he understood they all had penises and that was what made it boy time to him. Babies were really amusing.

I decided to get some sun while handling too much, so I changed into a bikini and headed up to the pool when I got home. I was glad to see others who hadn't been at the brunch up there having the same chill day.

We had five more wolves pass the exam to get their bus license, so now we had more nights where taking a group to run at pack lands was an option. It was essential for wolves, and with having the pack house downtown, I was glad we had this figured out.

Granted we'd had a few get pulled over and hassled by suburban cops who clearly had a beef with me or supes but couldn't really do anything about it. Which was why more of us FBI were going to get our licenses so we could take a turn driving… And that shit would stop real fast if they pulled us over.

But everyone stayed calm and behaved as they should, so if people wanted to be petty, let them. As long as they kept it to just petty and "checking" after "seeing" something and not harassing.

Yeah, we knew they were lying, so it wasn't really checking on anything they saw.

About an hour and a half after I'd left the club, I switched to the shade and had just gotten back from grabbing a drink from the kitchen area when I felt them all arrive. I finished writing out what I needed to for Vinn and glanced up at Reagan, Hagan, Brian, Dain, Eugene, and Axel.

And simply raised an eyebrow.

Clearly , Reagan had snitched, but like… What was this now?

"I'm sorry we didn't notice," Hagan said hesitantly. "You have every right to be mad."

"I'm not mad," I corrected, sighing when he argued. I sat up and folded my legs in. "I'm not. I'm not sure what I am—hurt. But I'm not mad." I shrugged. What else was there really to say?

"When were you going to tell us?" Eugene asked.

I frowned at how accusatory that sounded. I opened my mouth but then closed it. I gestured between them. "I'm done with this shtick. Just because I made it clear that ganging up on me in my apartment was over doesn't mean it's acceptable anywhere else."

Dain ignored that and shocked me with what he said next. "Does Brian get a pass from this? What excuse will you have to forgive him or absolve him from this like always?"

I couldn't hide my shock, wondering where the hell that came from. "He's—"

"Why do you always forgive him everything and the rest of us cannot get close to you like he does?" he demanded, his voice a bit too loud.

I met his gaze and realized he'd sensed something off of me. I swallowed loudly and was hurt he was pushing me to admit what I'd realized in therapy. But fine, he wanted to hear the truth?

So be it.

"Because he was the only one who loved the original model and I don't think any of you would."

They were all shocked—even Brian—and couldn't hide it, but Dain looked like I'd kicked him in the nuts… Which surprised me. He'd felt something from me, so why was he acting like this?

"I can't prove a negative like that," he rasped. "That's not fair nor—"

"I didn't say it was," I agreed. "You pushed me to say what Phobie just made me realize in therapy a few days ago. But it's true. None of you really associate with or befriend humans. If you passed me on the street, you wouldn't ever have taken notice of me or—"

"I don't think that's true for a second," Axel muttered. "And I've been with lots of humans."

I nodded, scrubbing my hand over my head. "I'm not saying it is fair," I repeated, glad when they backed down. "He asked why I forgive Brian more than the rest of you. That's the answer. He loved the original Sera that no one loved." I shrugged. I wasn't sure what else to say. "I don't think we would have the relationships we have if I was her."

"Part of that is just maturing," Hagan defended. "I'm not the same guy I was in my twenties or before we lost our parents. Life shapes us all around."

"Good points," I accepted, bobbing my head. "You might want to think about it and talk to Phobie." I sighed when he seemed shocked. "I think that's where she saw my therapy going once I could wrap my mind around this. It wasn't like I knew I felt this way." I snorted. "I never know how I feel or—"

"I know how I felt. I know how much I love you, but sometimes you won't let me love you," Dain cut in.

"Sometimes you don't show me in the way I need to understand," I told him. I shrugged again when he gave me a hurt look. "You were the one who showed me how much Brian loved me. I've been holding onto that with both hands during this whole rough patch. Why the hell haven't you shown me how you feel about me? When you can?"

He turned around and walked away, and my heart broke as tears filled my eyes… Except he didn't leave. He just went inside.

Huh?

"He knows how much walking away from you destroyed you both once," Axel explained for me. "He's taking a breath and not overwhelming you with his emotions but making it clear he's not bailing."

That helped. "Thanks."

"I'm sorry you're going through something so rough and I didn't catch it."

I shrugged, deciding to be mature if he was. "I didn't either and we have too much going on. Honestly, it just stung a bit until Freddie and Jessica noticed and you guys didn't." I met his gaze. "I didn't blame Brian when he's new."

"But I did notice, I just didn't realize it," Brian sighed.

"And we have a theory on why we didn't notice, and that made me realize that might be the missing piece," Eugene said, gesturing to the rest of them, including Dain inside. He waited for me to nod to go ahead. "We're born supes. Freddie, Jessica, Carter, and Noah were human. So was Brian. They notice…" He glanced at Axel.

"Slipping back into human behaviors?" he offered. "We are too used to people ignoring fibs because it's considered polite. It didn't even register with me because I would have assumed you adjusted like using ‘gods' instead of ‘god.' But I never had to adjust to the change at all. Did I know you flinched when people lie around you? Yes, but I didn't notice all the time."

I considered what he said and nodded. "Thanks. That makes sense. I'll think on that. Really."

"Are you really okay?" Hagan worried. "That was all we came to ask." He shot Eugene a nasty look.

The huge dire wolf huffed and squatted down next to me. "I'm sorry. I just thought how scared you must have been, and you normally come to me when scared. I got bitchy. Smack me, but we're worried, not ganging up on you."

"Eva will set me straight and help me," I promised them, hoping it was true.