Chapter Sixteen
Allen
After a whirlwind romance in less than two days, I realized I hadn’t kept my promise to Dad. I was supposed to be calling him every day, keeping him updated on my vacation.
When I got back to my hotel room late, I thought about waiting until the morning to call. Dad might be asleep, or busy. I didn’t want to interrupt him.
When I opened my phone, I saw he’d left me a text. It was a couple of hours old. How’s it going, Allen?
I shot back a text to see if he was available. Hey, Dad. Is this a good time to call? Or maybe tomorrow morning?
A text came back immediately. I’m up.
And then my phone was ringing.
“I swear I wasn’t worried when I didn’t hear from you,” Dad jumped in right away. “I just figured you were busy having fun and all that. Are you?”
I cleared my throat. “Hi, Dad. I’m fine and all that.”
“Glad to hear it. But…you sound different. Your voice… Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Well… I have news.”
“I’m listening.”
I decided to just dive right in. “I found my fated mates.”
“You have a mate? Already?”
“Not mate. Mates. Plural. An alpha and an omega. And it’s not something we think we want. It’s something we know. We felt it immediately, and I have to tell you there’s nothing else on earth like it.”
Silence.
“Dad, are you still there?”
“My son, you have to tell me everything. Spare no detail.”
I laughed. “But are you happy for me?”
“Am I? My baby boy is finally getting mated and going to give me grandkids. I would say it’s a dream come true for both of us.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn’t that I thought Dad would disapprove, it was just that things had happened so quickly and I worried he would be worried for me and begin the parental questioning that every child, even grown ones, dreaded.
“It’s a triad, Dad. Kind of rare, I guess. But it’s real and wonderful, and it totally suits us all.”
“Start at the beginning, please. I want to know everything.”
I confessed to him that I had truly chosen to go to San Diego to attend a nightclub called Animals. He hadn’t heard of it before, so I explained how people had described the place as electric and magical. I began to talk fast as I described immediately scenting my mates even as I stood outside the club waiting to get in. I told him that we met each other as if we had been long-lost brothers from long ago. Then I talked about everything Matthew and River that I could remember.
I told him about how nervous I was shifting for the first time outside our pack, and how accepting and nurturing my mates were about my beast being a griffin.
When I got to the part about claiming my mates and them claiming me, I left out a few choice details. Dad didn’t need to hear everything about my love life, and no good father should.
I realized nearly an hour had passed, and Dad hadn’t said a word.
When I stopped talking, I politely waited.
Finally, Dad spoke. “Son, I’m riveted. I couldn’t be happier for you.” His voice went all rough and wet.
“Are you crying?”
“Who, me?”
I chuckled. “This was like a last-chance vacation for me. I don’t believe in higher deities and things like that, but I confess before I left I did my own little speaking the spell. Looks like something heard me.”
“I’m at a loss for words. I want to tell everybody, the whole world. This makes me so happy for you.” Again, his voice got all rough.
“I don’t know what the future is going to look like. But these two are my mates, my family. We’re going to all live together, and that’s going to be a huge change. For both of us.”
“I know that. I still get to be in your life though, right?”
“Hell yeah. Dad, I want you in my life always. But the pack lives far from San Diego. You do understand that.”
“And you understand that I can afford to fly out to see you anytime I want as long as I’m not getting in the way.” A pause. “By the way, did you say your alpha mate has a little niece who lives with him??”
“Yep. Her name is Flora, and she’s five years old. She’s in kindergarten.”
“That’s wonderful. I already feel like a grandpa. She’ll be yours, too.”
“Of course. The three of us are all in agreement. Flora would never be left behind. Never ever.”
“That means I don’t have to wait for griffin eggs. I can start spoiling a grandkid right away. Boy, does that feel good.”
“You will love her.”
“I know it. When do I get to meet her?”
“When can you get out here?”
Dad laughed. “Are you serious? You guys are still on your honeymoon, so to speak.”
I joined in laughing. “True. When we can find time between Flora and Matthew’s and River’s jobs. We’re juggling it.”
“So, you weren’t serious about me coming out?”
“Yes, I was. I am. I’m so excited that I want to introduce you to everyone right away. I feel like I’m going to burst. It’s just the most amazing thing, the most amazing feeling ever. And after them, you’re the one I want to share it all with.”
“You mean that?”
“I sure do.”
“I can be in San Diego by tomorrow.”
When I hung up, my mind went into a complete daze. Dad was coming. Tomorrow. What had I done?
I picked up my phone and texted the guys. We already had a group chat we used every moment we weren’t together. I’m just going to say it like it is. My dad’s coming out tomorrow to meet you all.
The replies popped in immediately.
River: That’s awesome.
Matthew: I can’t wait to meet him.
Allen: He’s so excited and so happy. He’s a great guy. He can’t wait to meet Flora. He’s been wanting to be a grandpa for years and bugging me about it and now he says he doesn’t have to wait for an egg. He’s funny.
River: Your dad sounds amazing.
Matthew: Agreed.
Even though my mates were happy about Dad coming, my sleep was restless that night. I worried. Dad was a great guy and I wanted everyone to love him.
The next day, I realized all my worries were for nothing. Dad came in on an early flight, and everyone immediately loved him. Even little Flora.
When they met, her eyes got really big. “Uncle Daddy says you’re a grandpa. Are you?”
“Do you know what a grandpa is?” Dad asked her.
She nodded. “Someone older. Someone who loves you.”
“That’s a very good answer,” Dad said. “I think you’re right. I haven’t been a grandpa before. Just Allen’s daddy. I’m part of Allen’s family, and now you’re part of his. I’d like to be part of it, too.”
She stuck her chin out and crossed her arms over her chest. When she spoke, she was very serious. “I think I’d like that.”