30. Chapter Thirty

Wrapping the towel around my hips, I slicked the wet hair back from my face, swiping a hand across the fogged-up mirror. Grinning at my reflection, I snorted. If someone would have told me a year ago that my morning would involve a pissed off bull, a hyper Australian Shepherd, and falling on my ass in mud and manure, I would have laughed my ass off and told them they were nuts.

But here we were.

Opening the door of Wyatt’s upstairs bathroom, I let the steam waft out into the hallway. A door slammed downstairs, followed by footsteps and the murmur of voices. Cocking my head, I stilled, listening intently with my wolf ears.

Wyatt shouldn’t be home yet. I knew he wasn’t planning on being home until around six. I had dinner waiting in the fridge, ready to pop in the oven after my shift today.

“Wyatt,” a woman’s voice sounded horrified, “we can’t possibly stay in this hovel.”

What the fuck? My brows hit my hairline. While Wyatt’s home was on the older side, and the two bathrooms could do with a remodel, they were perfectly functional. The kitchen was newer, and while the rooms were a bit choppy for my tastes, and the closets could be bigger, it was far from the hovel the woman claimed it to be.

“Mother, there is nothing wrong with my house,” Wyatt sounded exasperated and on edge. I could practically feel his nerves screaming across our bond.

“And why is there a police car in your driveway?”

“Grayson must be here.”

“Grayson?” inquired a softer male voice.

“He’s…” Wyatt hesitated, and I waited to see what he would say, “Julianna’s alpha father.”

“You have some explaining to do, Wyatt,” the woman spoke again, and I already didn’t like her, even if I was solely basing my assessment on the way she was speaking to my mate, and the feeling of unease rippling through our bond. I couldn’t always feel Wyatt’s emotions across it, but when he felt something strongly I could pick up on it.

“Do I, Mother? Last time I checked I was a grown man who didn’t have to answer to anyone.”

Grinning at his spunky, assertive tone, I turned back to the mirror, resting my hands on the vanity. Noticing I had a text message, I quickly read it. He had sent it when I’d been washing the mud and shit off me. His parents had shown up unexpectedly. No wonder he was a bundle of nerves. Just in the little things Wyatt had shared–and what I had dug up on my own, not included in Jamie’s report–there was a vast difference in his family life from the one I had grown up with and enjoyed, even as an adult.

“You told us he wasn’t in the picture and wouldn’t be raising the child with you.” His mother’s words made me wince. Though I loved that Wyatt had been prepared to go it alone and raise our child. And equally happy that Fate had made sure he wouldn’t have to.

“Things change,” Wyatt’s tone was nonchalant and held just a hint of defiance. I could almost picture the stubborn set to his jaw. My stubborn giraffe could be unmovable when he set his mind to it. “And that child’s name is Julianna. Use it when you’re addressing my daughter.”

“At least she’s an alpha,” the woman was quickly making my hackles rise, “but she reeks of wolf. Wyatt, did we not raise you better?”

The snort was loud, even without my wolf hearing. “You didn’t raise me at all.”

Pretty sure the woman had just insulted my daughter and myself, and feeling Wyatt’s stress jump across our bond again, I’d had enough of my mate’s distress.

Stomping down the stairs, I made sure I made plenty of noise, so they heard me coming. “Wyatt, is that you?” My voice was extra cheerful. “You won’t believe the call we had! Clyde Turner’s bull got loose and was blocking traffic on Highway 1 in front of his place.” I doubted Wyatt knew anything about Clyde Turner, his ranch, or his ornery as sin bull, but I carried on like he did.

My towel slipped when I hit the bottom of the stairs and instead of adjusting it, I just grabbed the knot and left the one side hanging off my hip. Turning towards the living room, which was just off the main entrance way, I assumed that would be where they were, based on the direction the voices had come from.

“Mike and I finally got the bull to move back into the pasture, without managing to have it stampede anyone, and that old Australian Shepherd dog of his decided to finally do his job–would have been nice if he would have herded him back to the pasture before he made his escape to the main road–when the bull took offense. He ran from the dog, straight towards Mike and me and we ended up diving away from him and his long ass horns. Right into the muck. I needed to wash the stink off before I showed back up at the office. Jen would have taken one sniff of us and shooed us right back out the door.”

Finally stopping my ramble, I grinned at my mate, who was staring at me wide eyed. Julianna was happily sitting on his hip, and he was flanked on each side by an alpha and omega that had to be his parents. Wyatt scratched at his eyebrow, his hazel eyes traveling the length of my near naked body with interest and a smirk. I tried to push my calming pheromones to him, or at least over our bond. His shoulders visibly relaxed. Whether because it worked or he was just happy to see me, it didn’t really matter.

Acting surprised to see his parents, I plastered on my best shit eating grin. “Oh, didn’t know we had company.”

The alpha was tall and thin, and it was clear that Wyatt took after her in his build. Her hair was lighter than his, cut in a stylish chin length bob. Her hazel eyes were sharp and cold. The color might be the same as Wyatt’s, but his exuded warmth.

The omega was smaller than them both by several inches, his belly just starting to round with age. His hair was a shade darker than Wyatt’s, and there was just a hint of wave to the short locks to suggest he was who Wyatt got his curls from.

They both stared at me, slack jawed, one with disgust and the other with clear, heated interest.

“Grayson, these are my parents,” Wyatt introduced them with a wave of one hand, “Jane and Robert Cooper. Mother, Father, this is my mate, Grayson Beckett.”

My chest warmed at the way he said the word mate to introduce me, and I stepped forward and framed his face with both of my hands. Bending down I captured his lips in a hungry kiss, which to my shock, he returned. When he nipped my lower lip with his teeth, a growl echoed low in my throat, and my thickening cock threatened to cause me to lose my tentative hold on the terrycloth barely keeping me decent.

“Mate?” his mother gasped. “Oh my Goddess, Wyatt, what have you done?”

His father stuck out his hand, his eyes glued to my abs, “Nice to meet you, Grayson.” I thought the man might have licked his lips, but I chose to ignore it.

“Mother, please don’t be rude,” Wyatt snapped, “and Father, stop looking at Grayson like you want to lick him.”

Robert blushed bright red, looking away. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to stare.”

Shooting him a wink, I told him, “No worries.”

“Wyatt Cooper, I don’t know what has gotten into you the last few months, but you will stop this nonsense this minute and come home.” His mother hissed angrily.

Wyatt sat Jules’ diaper bag on the sofa, turning to his mother. “I am home. This is my house we are standing in. Now, if the offer of lunch is still on the table, I’d like to go as I’m starving. You interrupted my salad. I just need to change the baby.”

Jules, realizing I hadn’t taken her from Wyatt, flapped her hands at me, letting her displeasure be known loudly. Wyatt’s mother frowned at the noise she made.

Scooping down, I kissed the top of Jules head, “I know, Princess, but Daddy can’t hold you and his towel. And we wouldn’t want Grandma and Grandpa to see something they shouldn’t.”

This time I clearly heard Robert whisper, “I wouldn’t mind.”

“Robert!” Jane hissed, shutting the man up. It was clear the alpha ran their household.

“Why don’t you take them to the Main Street Diner, babe?” I deliberately let my towel slip a little more down my hips, showing off the beginning of my vee. “Then how about we take you to dinner tonight, after you’ve rested from your trip. We have a great steakhouse or there’s a new Italian place that opened. They have more meatless options. Wyatt loves eating there.”

“I do,” he agreed cheerfully, clearly aware that I was fucking with his parents and playing along.

“That’s very nice of you,” Robert said, while Jane inquired, “Can you afford all of us on your salary? I imagine civil servants don’t make much, especially in this little town.”

“Mother!” Wyatt’s voice could have cut glass, “You will stop being rude this minute, or you both can leave. I mean it.”

“Oh, don’t you worry about me, Jane,” I smirked, “I wasn’t always a lowly civil servant.”

“He is the sheriff, Mother. I’m going to change the baby and then we can go. I’m getting hangry.” He stomped up the stairs, and grinning, I followed him up to the nursery.

Waiting in the doorway while he changed the baby, I casually leaned against the door frame, one naked foot crossed over the other.

“What was that?” Wyatt kept his voice low, in case his parents decided to do exactly what I had done earlier and eavesdrop. Though I was sure they found the act beneath them. Grinning broadly, I shrugged, and he accused, “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

“A little,” I admitted, not wanting to let on how much I had actually enjoyed whatever that had been. I had no idea what possessed me to put on that little show. “I could feel your stress through our bond. And I didn’t like the way she was talking to you.”

“You know I don’t believe in that bond nonsense.”

Shrugging, I said, “Okay.”

Picking up the baby, he turned to me. “But thank you. And I’m sorry they are horrible.”

Wrapping my arms around him, I gave up on my towel and let it fall to the floor. He leaned into me, resting his head on my naked chest, and I nuzzled his hair. Kissing the top of his head, I whispered, “They are not your responsibility. And your dad seems alright.”

Wyatt groaned. “He was looking at you like you were a prime piece of meat. It’s so embarrassing.”

Chuckling, I pulled away, then took Jules from him, cuddling her and breathing in her sweet baby scent. She patted my chest, babbling about her day. “Nothing to be embarrassed about. Go take them to lunch. I really do need to get back to the office.”

“Was that tall tale you told true?” He looked at me wide-eyed.

“Yup. My clothes are in the washer. I had extra in the cruiser, but your shower was closer.”

“Dammit!” Wyatt exclaimed, startling the baby who gave him a cross look for interrupting her babbling. “I’m not getting my baked spaghetti now, am I? My mother has the uncanny ability to ruin my day just by showing up.”

Pulling him in for another soft kiss, I caressed his cheek. “It will keep until tomorrow.”

“We have the Sinclair Christmas Eve dinner,” he pouted, “and I don’t want to disappoint the Mama M’s.”

“Sweetheart, I’ll bake it up and we’ll have it for Christmas day,” I promised, crossing the hall to the bedroom. After placing Jules safely in the middle of our bed, where she watched me with her dark eyes, I pulled on my shirt. “You know it’s better leftover anyway. We’ll open presents, eat and watch movies all day. You’ll get your baked spaghetti.”

“You promise.”

“You promise your parents will be gone by then?” I countered.

“Fuck yes, even if I have to drive them to the airport myself. That long drive would be worth it.”

“Can’t wait for dinner tonight,” I winked at him, buttoning my jeans. “Should be a fun time.”

He pointed a finger at me, holding Jules in his arms as we walked out of the bedroom. “You did that. That’s all on you. I’m just an innocent bystander in all this. I was hoping they’d be so underwhelmed with Sweet Alps and my life they’d decide to leave early.”

Dinner had gone better than I expected. I showed off wearing one of my bespoke suits and expensive silk ties, and answered the one hundred and one questions Wyatt’s parents drilled me with. It bugged the shit out of me that they didn’t seem impressed by anything, until they found out about my law degree and my past employment with the C.I.A.

Of course, I couldn’t go into details about what division Jamie and I had been in, but I had learned to negotiate and sidestep years ago. Smiling, I said I had held a supervisory position before leading a cyber security team. Honestly, I was most proud of the work I did as sheriff of Sweet Alps, even if they thought it made me not good enough for their son. Though I doubted they really cared much about any mate Wyatt chose. His mother was more concerned about all the lucrative opportunities he had walked away from, and not Wyatt’s life here in Sweet Alps, or his happiness.

Keeping a firm grip on his hand under the table, I had squeezed it anytime she had said something passive aggressive. My mate was on edge throughout the dinner, and I had been happy when it was finally over and we’d gone back to Wyatt’s. His mother wasn’t impressed with his guest room, but his father had been pleasant enough and was happy to hold Jules and make funny faces at her. He’d beamed proudly when Wyatt had given them a copy of the picture with Santa, saying he was going to frame it.

Finally, we’d all retired to bed and the house had grown quiet and Wyatt was cuddled up to my side. I stroked his arm lazily, and he whispered, “I’m sorry about them.”

Kissing the side of his head, I murmured, “Don’t apologize for them. You have nothing to be sorry for. We don’t get to pick our family. At least not the biological ones. I wish you’d been able to meet my dads, though. And Mimi and Papaw. They would have loved you and adored our princess.”

I felt him smile against my skin, “I wish I had met them too. It would have been nice for Julianna to have one set of loving grandparents.”

Tipping his chin up with my finger, I stared into his sad eyes. “She is going to grow up with plenty of grandparents who love and adore her. They might not be related by blood, but sometimes that’s better. Because those are the people that pick you. She’s gonna have Miss Rose, Gigi, Mary and Maeve, even Allan. And more cousins than she’s going to know what to do with. And, if no one else has any more pups, she’s going to be spoiled rotten because she will be the youngest. According to Jamie, being the baby of the family holds special perks.”

He smiled then, his eyes not quite so sad, and leaned up to kiss me softly. “I’m really glad I came to Sweet Alps.”

“Me too,” I whispered into the darkness, holding him closer. “Me too.”