Chapter Two

Jonah

Heartville wasn't as small as I expected it to be. It wasn't as small as it was the last time we visited for Yule. I heard about all the people who took refuge in the village as the war in London raged on, but I expected some of them to have gone back home. Apparently, more of them wanted the quiet life than I had bet on.

Duke met us at the Other World Gateway, kissing us both on the cheek, and trying to take the duffel bags from me. Sometimes he treated me like an old man, but as least we raised a kid who was pack-minded and wanted to help out. I was proud of him. I was proud of him for opening the lounge and proud of him from having Blithe's back when everything hit the fan. He was a good mate to Syre and always talked so much about Duchess. Such a good dad. If not for the draconic qualities of his ‘inner dude' it'd be easy enough to forget that Fred Moonscale had anything to do with his conception.

"Thought you said no more Fred talk," Blake prodded me over our mating link as we made the walk to Duke's house.

"Quit reading my mind, but it wasn't really about Fred. It was about how well our kid turned out despite him," I shrugged.

"You two okay?" Duke asked.

"We're fine, baby," Blake said, speeding up to walk beside Duke. "Just double checking that your dad packed the towels."

"Dad, I don't use that many towels," Duke groaned at the old debate. "We have plenty of them at the house."

"I swore as a teenager you ate them," Blake laughed.

"Did you bring the squirrel guy?" Duke changed the subject. "I still haven't gotten to meet him."

"He's a city squirrel," Blake shook his head. "You'll meet him the next time you come for a visit."

"We'll come soon," Duke nodded.

"Not too soon. Make sure Syre gets enough rest," I reminded him. "We miss you, kiddo, but don't want anyone worn out and traveling. I remember how that feels."

"Oh! That reminds me," Duke swiveled around so that he was walking backwards and looking at me while he talked. Blake hated when he did it as a kid and by his scent he still wasn't fond of it now. Blake didn't say anything, because at some point you have to let your kids take their own risks. Duke never fell before, guided by whatever internal compass his inner beast had.

"Huh?" I blinked, unsure of what new topic Duke was tossing into the arena.

"I liked the demo from that one band. Uh—What's it called?" he glanced up at the sky as if the answers were written in the fluffy, white clouds.

"Bent Scales?" I arched a brow trying to remember the last demo I sent him.

Duke wasn't involved in the music industry now. He was for a tiny bit when he owned the lounge and would let new and upcoming bands play there occasionally. He really enjoyed the demos of bands The Grim Howlers Record Label were considering. So, I still sent them to him.

"They played at your lounge last night," Blake said.

"Joy's lounge now."

"That's not how generational wealth is supposed to work," Blake teased him. "You're not her dad."

"Eh, what was I supposed to do? Just shut it down? Besides, it made her happy. Hopefully, it still is," Duke said.

"She loves it. She practically lives there now. She's made the place a bit brighter, but I expected that," I said.

"It's hers. She can do whatever she wants to with it," Duke nodded as his house came into view. "One second. Let me make sure everyone's decent."

He sprinted ahead and I flashed Blake a grin.

"You sure you don't want help with the bags?" he asked as he always did.

"I'm fine. I'm not old yet," I laughed and stole a kiss as we took our time walking up the driveway to where Duke lived with his mate, baby, and his cousin's family too. Blithe was more or less one of our kids just like Lee and Bane could say the same about Duke and the rest of our brood.

"Okay," Duke said, stepping onto the porch. "We're good, but you have to take your shoes off and wash your hands before you touch the kittens or Duchess. Not just you guys. Anyone would have to."

"We're not mad that you have boundaries," I chuckled. "Calm down, kiddo."

He let out a long, slow breath. Whether because of Fred never being around or because he grew up in a pack, Duke hated the thought of making anyone feel left out or singled out.

"Just show me where to put the bags down where they won't be baby toys and we'll wash up," I said, already kicking off one sneaker.

"Let me take the bags," Duke said, his big eyes hopeful.

I sighed but handed off the bags. Some days the offers of help made me wonder if I looked old, but knew that was just the way the wheel of life spun. You raised kids, helping them every step of the way. Then they grew up and wanted to help you. We were lucky with Duke, Joy, and all the others.

"Better than a packed concert of screaming fans?" Blake smirked as Duke disappeared into the house to put our bags in the guest room.

"Any day," I laughed and stole another kiss.

I used that very line in one of the songs I wrote right after we moved back to Mage Street shortly after Joy was born. She was perfect as a baby and still was, if you asked me.