Chapter 11

Chapter

Eleven

"Triton. Where is your head today?"

Triton climbed up off the mat, glaring at Reno. "I am distracted. Perhaps we should break for lunch."

"Of course." Reno shot him a look. "Why are you distracted?"

"An omega named Elowyn." He smiled, thinking of their hailee. His and Cerran's. It was wondrous.

"Ah. I thought so. I've seen that look before." Reno winked at him. "Let's go get food. I'm starving. Have you mated with him? How does that work with Cerran?"

"We've both mated with him, my friend." He grabbed a towel to clean up some before pulling on his big sweater. He was always cold here, but he loved the mountains.

"Oh? That's amazing." Reno didn't sound concerned in the least, which pleased Triton. Reno was his closest friend in this place, and his easy approval meant so much.

"Thank you, my friend. I am very pleased." That did not begin to cover the complex swirl of thunder and lightning within him, but he did not know how to express it. He desired Elowyn intensely. So much that he was willing to take things slower than he would normally.

"I'm sure you are. He's the midwife's brother, isn't he? That's a shock."

"He is. He's a healer." He put a hand to his chest, thinking how much Elowyn had lifted off of him, the weight so much less now.

"I guess that runs in the family, then. Fascinating. I've never been friends with a healer."

"No? You should come to supper. I think you will like him. Though he is very uncertain." So perhaps they should ease Elowyn into hosting their friends so he didn't feel as though he needed to act like a servant.

Elowyn was part of their household. An equal part.

"I will. In a few weeks, huh?" Reno gave him a sharklike grin, as if he'd read Triton's mind.

"Thank you, that would be best." He chuckled. "Though knowing Cerran, it won't take that long for him to make Elowyn comfortable."

"Why don't we meet for pizza at the pool for lunch one day? We can have Durango, Boone, and the children. They are a great distraction."

"That sounds lovely." Leilani would have plenty of admiring teens and children, and they would have many adults, so Elowyn would not feel put on the spot. And pizza was…he had a strong hunger for it.

"I'll call Eyv. He's one to put things together. Should we invite Rowan as well?"

"Absolutely." He would like the chance to make things up to Elowyn's brother, who still seemed to regard him with deep distrust. He didn't blame the man. Triton had been a terror.

He'd been scared and at the same time, ashamed of his need. He hadn't understood, and he would make up for his actions for an eternity.

Now he knew better. He knew he and Cerran could have all they wanted.

"Good deal." Reno clapped him on the back. He loved that about his friend. Reno did not see him as a superior officer. He saw Triton as a fellow warrior and friend. Someone who was an equal.

"Let's go eat. I want something filling. Something with meat. Meatballs or meatloaf or meat patties."

"Meatball sandwiches." Which were like pizza, but different. "Or on pasta."

"Carbs and meat. I agree."

"So you are not mated?" He knew it was nosy, but suddenly, he needed to know more about Reno.

"I am not." Reno shrugged, lips quirking. "I can't complain. I am at home here, and have friends and much family."

"Yes. I can see how your team cares for you. All of them." Reno still went out with a new team, and all of the members looked to him for guidance. He was a natural leader.

"Yes, and the children all have their Uncle Reno." Reno winked over at him. "We have fun together. I moved close to Durango and Boone, so that I could help."

"They have many children between them."

"Yeah. Boone and Lake inherited a lot of them. It's nuts." Reno laughed, turning toward the outdoor kitchens. "But it's good."

"So many of the families are?—"

"Built. We built families."

So, Triton did love that. When a warrior lost his keep, and when his family by birth was scattered to the gods, making a new version held great appeal.

"Hey!" Boone, who sat at a table alone, waved them over. "Sit with me? I feel pathetic."

"Let us order. Are there meatballs?"

"Oh my god yes." Boone grinned at him. "Sandwiches. With cheese."

Triton nodded. "I would have three of those."

"Six meatball sandwiches." Reno waved toward the table. "Sit. I'll order. Boone?"

"I put in my order. I'm just waiting."

"Very good. Triton, do you want iced tea and water?" At his nod, Reno strode off to make the lunch request.

"How are you doing, Triton?" Boone asked.

"Well. How are you and your family?"

"Excellent. All the children are walking, barring one. So we have five that are mobile. Five."

"That is…a challenge, no?" He remembered how the nursery was at the keep, with all the little ones crawling and toddling.

"It's a nightmare and the funniest thing ever, all at once. I love watching them be-bop around."

Gratitude welled in his chest. "I get to watch Leilani do all that thanks to this place."

"You do! If you need any clothes or such, please let me know. We have boxes of them all cleaned and in storage."

Waste not, want not. He understood this.

"I would like to tell Elowyn that. He will know what she needs."

"You got it. How's he working out?"

"He is our mate." The words were easier every single time he said them.

"Ah. I wondered." Boone beamed. "Good for you. Congratulations to you and Cerran."

"It sits well with you?"

"Of course. We want our people happy. Is Elowyn happy with you?"

"I think so. He is worried that a house of cards will fall, I believe. But he's very fervent."

"Well, the only cure for that is time."

That was the truth. Time, love, and care—the things that he was born for.

"Yes. He is a healer, but he has his own scars, many of them on his heart." He and Cerran would be the ones to make that right, he thought. That was what they would give Elowyn.

"That's your job. You heal those. No one else. That's all you."

"I want that. I am trying very hard."

"If he's your mate, it will come naturally. Just let it. You're a good guy. So you'll do right by him."

Triton's cheeks heated. No one ever spoke of him in terms like that. They talked about his war prowess. His legend. That made him proud, to hear that Boone thought he was a good man.

Reno came over, carrying their drinks. "Tea. They're bringing the sandwiches. Did he tell you about a poolside lunch, man?"

"Nope. What's with that?"

Triton chuckled. "I forgot. We would like to eat with your family, Reno, Durango's family, and Cerran and Elowyn. To help him get to know people."

"Of course. Lake loves to bring the babies out and about."

"Wonderful." There would be no way Elowyn could resist all those children. He loved them so, and it showed.

"I told Triton you and Lake would organize. Or Eyv would." Reno said, and butter wouldn't melt in the man's mouth.

"Oh." Boone blinked, then laughed. "You asshole. Okay, sure. We can do that. We're friendly that way."

"Thank you. I don't know very many people with children here, but soon we will be…friendly as well," Triton offered.

"Of course you will. It takes time." Reno grinned a little. "We got in on the ground floor, so to speak, but this is a growing keep."

"Totally. I mean, in the last two years, we've tripled in size? Maybe more. It's wild." Boone shook his head, grinned. "I'm just glad that Cain and Jack can keep up."

Triton knew it was a matter of sheer will. Cain was an amazing seer, and he had learned that Jack was not to be trifled with in business or in the ways of keep politics.

"They keep things working. Good thing we have a solid base to work from."

The sandwiches and drink refills arrived then, the aroma mouthwatering. He had never known about red sauce before moving here. He adored it, the spicier the better. He hummed a little.

"I know, right? It's like heaven. How did we live without them?" Boone asked, popping a bite into his mouth.

He noticed that Reno was focused on his food, just digging in.

So he did the same, feeling no shame. Oh, he would have to take one of these back to Cerran.

"Do you think I can bring these home?" Then Elowyn wouldn't have to cook.

"Yes. They'll give you the meatballs and cheese in a separate container from the bread," Reno said with his mouth full. "It's amazing."

"Oh, very nice. No soggy bread." The kitchen was so exceptional.

"Exactly. They are so good to us. We get some amazing food." Boone grinned at him, winked.

"We do. I am grateful."

"That's good. Keeps us humble, right?"

Reno snorted. "You, maybe. Not me."

"No, brother. You are not the humble-est," Boone teased.

"Oh, I'm a regular saint." Reno rolled his eyes, then had another meatball.

"You are just who you are," Triton said, feeling philosophical. He understood Reno, and he felt as if Reno knew him as well. "We are a similar breed."

Reno dipped his chin, acknowledging his words.

"Yeah. You guys are like, super warriors. Me and Durango? We're giant dorks."

"We are all banished ones. We have common ground, my friend."

"Oh, I know, but I have so much respect for you both. You are my heroes."

"Thank you. That means a great deal to me." He ate his last sub in just a few bites. "I will go order more. May I come and join you again while we wait?"

"Of course, my friend." Reno smiled for him. "You are always welcome with us."

"Thank you." Always welcome.

He breathed easier now, and for the first time, he felt like he was well and truly home.