4. Griffin

Chapter 4

Griffin

- No Rain- Blind Melon-

After Nic pulls the queen of diamonds, her gaze shifts to Barrett, anticipation clear in her eyes. With a playful laugh, he flips his card over, revealing the two of clubs. “Safe...” he declares, a grin playing on his lips as he takes his seat.

Conrad chuckles in response before revealing his own card, a ten of hearts. “Safe...” he echoes, relief clear in his voice.

Ethan goes out of turn and flips his card, revealing the five of Diamonds. “Safe…”

All eyes then turn to Grace, whose expression betrays a mix of nerves and determination. She flips her card over, revealing the queen of clubs. “Tie...” Nic nods in acknowledgment, his attention now fixed on me, waiting expectantly.

I take a deep breath, the weight of the conversation ahead settling heavily on my shoulders. With a steady hand, I flip my card over, revealing the ace of hearts. “I guess I’m starting this conversation off,” I say, my voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in my stomach. Placing my card on the table, I motion towards the den. “Let’s go sit somewhere comfortable.” It’s a small gesture, but one meant to ease the tension and create a safe space for what needs to be said.

As we enter the den, I pour bourbon for everyone from my secret stash, a small act of hospitality to ease the tension that hangs heavy in the air. “I knew you were hiding the good stuff somewhere,” Ethan remarks with a smirk before settling into his favorite recliner. As everyone finds their seats, I pace, my nerves betraying me with each step.

“It’s not easy starting this conversation,” I admit, my voice strained as I struggle to find the right words. “Fuck, I don’t know how to phrase this shit. Conrad, Barrett, you’re the feelings, guys. Help me out here.” The admission that I’m not good at handling emotions gnaws at me, a discomfort I’m unaccustomed to.

“I’ll handle this, Griff,” Barrett asserts, moving to stand beside me. “Emotions are tough for an alpha. You guys have the drive to fight or fuck, but everything in between isn’t in your wheelhouse.” His words ring true, hitting close to home as I exchange a glance with Nicolai, silently acknowledging the truth in Barrett’s assessment.

“Why didn’t you look at Ethan?” I notice the omission. My twin brother skipped over in Barrett’s explanation.

“He’s letting his feelings out with Grace,” Barrett explains, his gaze shifting to Ethan. “He’s learned that it’s okay to be soft and gentle with her in private and a terror in public.” The revelation catches us all off guard, Ethan’s openness a stark contrast to the stoicism we’re accustomed to.

“Yeah, Griff, I’ve come to terms with the fact there was at least one more mate out there for Gracie,” Ethan adds, his admission hanging heavy in the air. “The minute she said there were two more shadows and one was already here. I talked to mom at length about it.”

“Okay, so I’m the asshole, then?” I can’t help but feel a pang of guilt, questioning my own actions as I look at Barrett for reassurance.

“Not even close,” Barrett responds firmly, shaking his head. “It takes a while for a family to truly come together. Our wolves tell us who our person is, but it takes our minds longer to catch up.” His words offer a glimmer of understanding.

“The jealousy you’re feeling is natural and normal,” Barrett continues, turning his attention to Nicolai. “Grace fought the bond with you because no one knew about the shadows to tell her there were more mates.” He pauses, his gaze softening with empathy. “I understand where you’re coming from. Initially, I was jealous of Grace, too. Jealous that she can give my guys babies and I can’t. But I’m okay now because Gracie and I have been talking about my feelings.” His smile is genuine, a reflection of the progress we’ve made in navigating the complexities of our relationship. “She’s allowed me to be extremely hands-on with the babies, so I get to experience everything with her.”

Barrett moves with purpose, positioning himself before Nicolai and tilting his head in a gesture of concern. “What’s really bothering you about Lorcan? My Omega senses are tingling. I know there’s something beyond jealousy,” he probes gently. My attention sharpens as I catch a subtle twitch in the corner of Nicolai’s eye. It’s his tell, a sign that he’s trying to conceal something from the rest of us.

“What aren’t you telling us, Nicolai?” I interject, turning in my chair to face him directly, my concern evident in my voice.

With a heavy sigh, Nicolai finally breaks his silence. “You want the truth? Fine, here’s the truth. He can’t protect Grace. Even Barrett can protect Grace better than he can. How are we going to be comfortable leaving her in his care?” His words hang in the air, hitting me with a weight I hadn’t expected. It’s a perspective I hadn’t considered, and it rattles me to the core.

“So, just because he’s blind, he’s not worthy?” Grace’s voice cuts through the tension as she rises from her seat, her frustration palpable. I know that look in her eyes; she’s getting pissed.

“Yes... I mean no...” Nicolai stammers, his confidence wavering under Grace’s scrutiny. It’s clear that Grace’s safety is his primary concern, overshadowing any thoughts of her having another mate.

“I can protect myself,” Grace asserts firmly, her words ringing with a quiet strength. “If you’ve forgotten, I can summon the packs to me. Barrett is always with me, unless he has to work. And when he’s not available, I have Conrad or one of you by my side.” She crosses the room, settling onto Nicolai’s lap and tenderly grasping his face, searching his eyes with her own. “Would it make you feel better if I kept a few betas from your pack with me when I’m home with Lorcan?” she suggests, her tone softening as she tries to reassure him.

Nicolai’s nod is hesitant, his admission a weighty acknowledgment of his fears and vulnerabilities. I can sense the gravity of his confession, knowing it must have taken a lot for him to voice his concerns.

“There, it’s settled then,” Grace declares, her gaze shifting from Nicolai to the rest of us, a sense of finality in her tone. “Next order of business?” she prompts, her eyes now fixed expectantly on Barrett.

Barrett, with a knowing look on his face, directs his attention to Conrad. “Conrad, is there anything you would like to share with the family?” His expression speaks volumes, revealing that he’s already privy to something significant.

Clearing his throat, Conrad rises from his seat, adjusting his suit jacket with nervous fingers before meeting each of our gazes. “Grace is going to marry Barrett and me in a pack ceremony. I mean, Barrett and I are getting married,” he admits, a faint blush tingeing his cheeks as he steals a glance at Barrett, who returns the look with equal fervor.

Deep down, I’ve always sensed Conrad’s preference for men over women, with Grace being the notable exception. “As long as it’s what the two of you want, then I am happy for you both,” I offer sincerely, though the memory of our father’s reaction to such news still lingers. While I miss our father dearly. I find solace in knowing that my brother can finally embrace his authentic self, even if it defies our father’s expectations.

“Good, then it’s settled. Once we kill off my ex-baby daddy, we’ll plan for a fall wedding,” Grace announces, her gaze drifting wistfully toward Barrett and Conrad, a hint of determination in her voice.

I double blink, surprised by Grace’s nonchalant acceptance of violence. Since when did she become so comfortable with the idea of killing? Furrowing my brow, I study her closely, wondering if some imposter has replaced my mate. It’s not until Ethan nudges my shoulder that I tear my gaze away from Grace.

“She was on the phone with Ambrose about it. Apparently, he convinced her it’s in our nature to kill or be killed. I owe him a beer,” Ethan murmurs under his breath, his words a revelation amidst the distraction of Grace and Barrett engrossed in something on Barrett’s phone.

“Can we please get this back on track?” I interject. The tension in the room is palpable as I refill my rocks glass, the liquid sloshing softly against the ice. My gaze sweeps around the room, lingering on each member of my family, searching for any sign of agreement or dissent.

Ethan steps forward, a determined look in his eyes as he reaches for the decanter to refill his glass. “I’d like to bring something up,” he says, his voice steady despite the weight of the conversation.

“The floor is yours,” I reply, gesturing with a sweeping motion, silently urging him to speak his mind.

He takes a deep breath before addressing the issue at hand. “Okay, so we still have the issue of the psycho ex floating around,” Ethan begins, and my brows furrow in concern, unsure of where he’s going with this. “As much as you don’t like being crowded or escorted everywhere, darlin’, it’s becoming a necessity. Too many lives and several packs’ stability are at stake.” His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I glance over at Nicolai, whose expression mirrors my shock and apprehension.

“I may not be the head alpha of the family,” Ethan continues, his voice unwavering, “but as one of the alphas, I think we need to look at beefing up security and training specific betas for tasks related to Grace and the children’s safety.” He crosses his arms over his chest, a challenge in his stance, as if daring me to argue with him.

“My father trained elite warriors specifically for our safety when I was younger. I’m sure I can ask my father for his guidance,” he offers, his voice steady despite the weight of his proposal. Nicolai’s words hang in the air, heavy with implications and promises of protection. As he stands, his gaze shifts between Ethan and me, a flicker of resolve burning in his eyes. His glance then shifts to Grace, seeking her approval or perhaps reassurance.

Grace, however, seems caught in a moment of hesitation, her expression resembling that of a deer frozen in the headlights. I can feel her gaze passing through me, lost in her own thoughts and concerns.

“I understand where everyone is coming from,” she finally speaks, her voice carrying a mixture of resolve and vulnerability as she steps into the center of the room. Barrett hands her Deacon, and she cradles him close, her movements fluid as she breast feeds him. There’s a quiet strength in her actions, a determination that resonates within the room.

“I don’t like strangers near us,” Grace admits, her voice soft yet firm as she leans down to place a gentle kiss on Deacon’s temple, her love and protectiveness for our family clear in every gesture. “We will do what we must do to protect the family.”

Grace’s determination is palpable, filling the room with a sense of purpose. I can’t help but be impressed by how far she’s come, from the uncertain woman I first met, to this fierce guardian of our family. In her, I see a strength that inspires me, a resolve that I know will see us through whatever challenges lie ahead.

“With everyone’s permission, I’ll get the ball rolling with the training. Then, as a family, we can pick who we are comfortable having close to our inner circle,” Nicolai declares, his phone poised in front of him, ready to make the necessary calls.

I glance down at Deacon, feeling a surge of protectiveness wash over me, then lift my gaze back to the group. “Do it,” I agree, my voice steady despite the turmoil churning inside me. A ping from my phone interrupts the moment, signaling a text message. With a heavy sigh, I read the message aloud. “They’re ready for us to go to the burial.”

My eyes drift down to Deacon again, and I feel the weight of grief threatening to overwhelm Grace. Barrett is the first to react, moving swiftly to scoop Grace up and gently take Deacon from her arms. His kiss on Deacon’s head is a silent reassurance.

He then moves over to Ethan, extending his hand in a silent request. Ethan complies, removing the front carrier from himself and adjusting it for Barrett to wear. It’s a familiar ritual, one that Barrett knows all too well. He understands that in this moment, Grace needs her creator more than anything else. With Deacon safely secured in the carrier, I feel a pang of confusion about why they didn’t entrust me with my son.

Conrad senses my bewilderment and pulls me aside, his expression serious. “She’s going to need us, her first alphas, to get through this,” he explains quietly, his words sinking in as I watch Barrett, Nicolai, and Ethan lead Grace out of the house. This is going to be the longest afternoon in history.