Fray (VLG #14)

Chapter Sixteen

They didn’t even make it to the back of the house before Len spotted Moe and her mother. Two small crowds surrounded them. Her mom had a lot of women talking to her with Gina at her side. They all looked happy to have her back as they exchanged hugs. Moe’s group seemed more serious, him listening as Kevin spoke. Len figured he was probably updating his alpha on all the events that had taken place.

Len stopped walking, waiting for everyone to realize that they’d arrived. She wasn’t in any hurry to deal with her parents. Fray halted to her direct right while Chaz moved to stand on her left side. She didn’t spot Hawk, Delbius, or any of the VampLycans outside. Len’s mom suddenly turned, seeing her. Then she was pushing women out of the way to rush at her.

Len took that moment to really examine her mom as she approached. She’d always chalked the reason for her mother’s young looks to having great genes. That’s what she’d been told numerous times. Now that she knew the truth. It was obvious that Lisa Woods wasn’t aging. She’d stopped doing that in her late twenties.

It kind of made Len feel stupid to have believed the lie in the first place. Her mom didn’t have one single wrinkle or any other sign of being in her mid-forties. They really did look like sisters to strangers for a very good reason. Her mother had been twenty-eight when she’d mated with a Werewolf. That was just four years older than Len’s own current age of twenty-four.

All Len’s thoughts were halted as the woman her same size slammed into her, hugging her so tight that she had a hard time breathing. She wrapped her arms around her mom and held her back.

“I was so worried about you,” her mom sniffed. “I am so sorry I wasn’t here when you needed me.”

Len sucked in air as her mom released her enough to lean back, meeting her gaze. “I’m fine. Really. I’m sorry that your dream vacation got cut short.”

“I don’t care about that.” Her mother released her waist to reach up, cupping her face with trembling hands. Her tears slipped down her face. “Were you hurt?”

“No. Fray kept me safe.”

Her mother flashed him a grateful look. “Thank you for taking care of my baby.” She addressed Len again. “How mad are you about…well, everything?”

“You mean discovering that I’ve been lied to since you and Moe married?” Len paused. “Mated. You aren’t married.”

Remorse showed on her mother’s face. “Moe and I did get legally married. Remember? You were there. It wasn’t just a ceremony at the courthouse for show. I wanted my name legally changed to his. You didn’t answer the question. How mad are you?”

Len opened her mouth, but her mother began to babble.

“We thought it was for the best that you didn’t know the truth. Safer. It’s against their laws to allow humans to know what they are unless it’s a mate. We trusted that you’d keep our secrets hidden and that our pack would never hurt you, but there are other packs that live nearby. They aren’t good people like the ones who live here. Sometimes, humans are outright killed if Vamps or Werewolves even suspect you might realize what they are. It’s how they have survived without being hunted to extinction by humans. People aren’t ready to know about them.” Lisa sucked in a sharp breath. “They would have had to pay a Vampire to mess with your memories or worse. No way was I going to allow that to happen. The ris―”

“Mom!” Len cut her off. “I was shocked, then a bit pissed, and yeah, even insulted that you didn’t trust me when I learned the truth. I was also hurt because you should have told me your secrets since I’m your daughter. It’s been a long couple of days, though, and I understand better. We’re going to be okay.”

Her mother looked relieved. “So you’re not mad?”

“I’m mostly over it,” Len admitted. “Now it’s your turn not to get mad. You owe me that much.”

Her mom’s expression morphed into confusion. “What does that mean?”

Len glanced at Fray. He looked tense, his mouth set in a grim line. The sunglasses hid his eyes. She returned her attention to her mother. “I got mated while you were gone. Surprise!”

Her mother’s eyes widened, her mouth fell open, and she gasped.

It was Len’s turn to talk quickly. “You can’t be mad since you fell in love with someone who is not human yourself. I remember how fast you and Moe got together. You took a job with him, and bam! We moved in with him, like, two days later. I’ll assume you mated before you legally married. Am I right?”

Her mom continued to stare at her, but she did close her mouth. Then she looked at Chaz first before Fray. “Which one of you mated my daughter?”

“Me,” Fray admitted. “I’m Len’s mate.”

The typically calm woman lunged, slapping at Fray’s chest. “You can’t take my baby from me!”

Len was stunned for a split second before hooking her mother around the waist with her arm and pulling her away from Fray. Then Len shoved between the two, releasing her mom, and put her body in front of Fray.

“Stop it!” Len became mad, glaring at her mom. Poor Fray had just stood there while her mom’s open palms had slapped at his chest, not defending himself. “You taught me not to hit people. Fray is my mate. You can’t slap him.”

A loud snarl sounded, drawing their attention. Moe plowed through the men around him, his features a mask of rage, and his eyes looked scary as he advanced toward them. The color of his eyes had turned all black. Everyone in the clearing had become abnormally silent. Some of the pack dove out of his way.

“Shit,” Chaz muttered. “Shell.”

“I am,” Fray muttered back.

Len reached back, touching Fray, but she didn’t take her gaze off her stepfather. He looked terrifying. She’d never seen him like that before. Some fur sprouted on his face and bare arms where his shirt didn’t cover. Claws grew out of his fingertips. He wasn’t focused on her but instead something just over the top of her head. That would be her mate standing behind her.

Fray gently cupped her hips. His hands felt weird enough that she finally looked away from Moe to glance down. Fray’s skin had become gray in color, telling her that he’d shelled his body.

“Get far from me. Moe is going to attack,” he whispered.

Her mother sidestepped quickly, getting out of the way. Len stepped forward, out of Fray’s hold, and threw her arms wide open as she glared right at Moe. “Don’t you dare touch Fray,” she yelled.

“Move,” Moe snarled. He did stop coming, though. He’d have had to plow through her if he’d kept advancing.

“Lenore, come to me,” Chaz ordered. “You can’t get between them.”

“Bullshit.” She was afraid, but it was her stepfather. No one would ever have called her overly obedient or shy as a teenager. She’d given Moe a lot of lip and grief. He had gotten mad at her plenty of times, like when she hadn’t come home from school when she’d been sixteen.

Len and her best friend Margie had instead driven two hours away to another town to see a band play that evening. They’d both known their parents wouldn’t have allowed it. She’d gotten home after eleven at night.

Moe had raged at her, yelling about how they’d feared she’d been kidnapped or was dead in a ditch. He’d grounded her for a month and threatened to sell her car if she ever pulled another stunt like that again. It was the maddest she’d ever seen him. He hadn’t laid a finger on her, though.

“I’m a grown woman,” she reminded him. The situation was insane to her. “I love Fray. We’ve mated. It’s a done deal. This is where you calm the hell down, take some deep breaths like you used to tell me to do when I was really pissed, and act like an adult.”

Another snarl tore from Moe, but his black eyes lowered to her. A shiver ran down her spine at seeing that cold look there, and she felt Fray grip her hips again. He tried to gently push her to the side, but Len wasn’t having it. She parted her legs to brace her body and stayed put.

“Count to ten. Deep breaths,” Len coached her stepfather. “Remember? You taught me that when I went through what you called my hormonal cranky stage in life. What else did you use to say all the time? Oh, yeah. It’s smarter to think when something upsetting happens instead of reacting and regretting it later. I love Fray.”

Moe lowered his clawed hands to his sides and took deep breaths. His nostrils flared, but his face still didn’t look all the way human. Some of the black bled from his eyes, though, and they lightened a little. “This isn’t what I wanted for you.”

His harsh voice sent chills down her spine. Len shook it off. He was the man who had raised her for two-thirds of her life. Even knowing what she’d learned, she knew Moe was fair and a good person. “It’s what I want. Fray makes me happy.”

“You don’t even know him,” Moe argued. His voice came out softer, more normal.

“We’ve been through a lot over the past few days. How long did you know my mom before you realized that she was your mate?” Len arched her eyebrows to make a point.

The rest of the black bled out of his eyes, returning them to a chestnut color. He hesitated in answering.

“It was fast, right?” Len wasn’t going to let him ignore her questions.

“I knew within an hour of meeting her,” her stepfather admitted.

“Fray and I had more time than that to figure it out, but we did. I love him,” Len reiterated. “He loves me.”

“He’s going to take you from us.” Moe’s eyes darkened again, his voice growing snarly.

“I’ll visit. Mom likes to travel. Maybe you guys can come visit us if you ever decide to take another vacation. Cruise ships go to Alaska. We could easily meet up since Fray can fly.” Len relaxed a little as she watched her stepfather’s face lose some of the scary factors and the extra hair seemed to shrink into his exposed skin. “There was never a guarantee that I wouldn’t marry some human guy who wanted to live in another state.”

Moe scowled.

“You hated Rod. Let’s focus on the plus sides of this, shall we? I also learned that from you.” Len tried humor. “You love Fray. He’s your family. Isn’t that a good thing? I am with someone that you know will be good to me and treat me right.”

“The professor was an asshole I had to resist killing,” Moe murmured.

“Exactly.” Len lowered her own arms, feeling secure that Moe wouldn’t try to get around her to reach Fray.

Moe broke eye contact to stare at Fray. “You should have asked my permission before you ever touched her.”

Chaz snorted. “Like you’d have given it.”

Fray’s hands seemed to soften where he gripped Len, meaning he’d unshelled. “She’s my mate. I do love Len. I’m sorry this upsets you, but I am not apologizing for bonding to her.”

“Fuck.” Moe spun around, taking about ten steps away. He reached out his hand, and her mom rushed to him. He hugged her tight, both whispering.

Len leaned back against Fray. “Can you hear what they are saying?”

Fray lowered his head, putting his mouth close to Len’s ear to whisper to her. He also wrapped his arms around her to hold her tight. “He’s worried that she’s upset, and she’s assuring him that it was a shock but remembering how they felt meeting each other and how fast they mated.” He paused. “She’s sad that she won’t get to see you every day but just laughed, saying it could have been worse if you had chosen someone they hate.”

Len was happy to hear that.

“Moe just asked her if she’s good with this, and she said she is.” He paused. “I’m not sure you want to know the rest.”

“There shouldn’t be secrets between us.”

He chuckled, giving her a little squeeze. “Fine. Moe said it might be time for them to start a family, and having a baby will keep them busy. Now he’s saying things I refuse to repeat because it’s sexual. I wish I couldn’t hear it, so I’m not subjecting you to the verbal image he’s painting of how he plans to distract her and keep her occupied.”

Len laughed. “Thanks. It’s bad enough when I catch them making out.”

Her parents finally turned. Moe kept his arm around her mom’s waist. They posed a united front.

Her stepfather cleared his throat, his gaze on Len. “I’m not happy that you’ll be living with Fray’s clan, but we want you to be with someone I know can keep you safe and protected.” He looked at Fray then, his expression hardening. “You better take damn good care of her.”

“She’s my entire world,” Fray firmly stated.

“Then we accept your mating. All I ask is that you don’t return to Alaska for at least a week. My mate and I need a little time to adjust to this news and want to spend time with Lenore before you take her away.”

“That’s fine,” Fray agreed.

“You’re allowing this?” The harsh, snarled words came from Amos Willow. “Lenore is only allowed to be with a human.”

Moe turned on his friend. “I am allowing this. They are mated. No one should ever attempt to get between mates.”

“I could have mated her.” Amos advanced a few steps, glowering at his alpha. “She wouldn’t be leaving if you had allowed me to court her.”

Len was flabbergasted. She’d never known that Amos was even interested in her. She thought back to when he’d been in her cabin fixing the pipe. He had barely spoken to her, but she had caught him staring at her a few times. He’d been a bit abrupt with her during their brief conversations.

“Stand down, Amos,” Moe ordered. “You all know the reasons I didn’t want Lenore to get involved with anyone from the pack. That is still valid. Fray will take her to his clan in Alaska.”

Amos spun away, stalking toward the trees. He didn’t look back as he left.

Moe loudly sighed, his gaze going to Mitch. “You understand, don’t you?”

He nodded. “I’ll go talk to him. We’re the only ones who ever officially asked permission to court Lenore.”

Len felt surprised at learning that information. Mitch turned and jogged away, going after Amos.

Moe turned to them. “The pack is preparing a feast to celebrate our return and to rejoice that we survived the Gargoyles. Let’s take this inside.”

“We’ll be right there in a minute,” Chaz responded.

Moe nodded, glancing between him and Fray. “I’m going to go say hello to your father and our other visitors. I need to thank them for their assistance. They are taking the human survivor away within the hour.” Then, he and her mom walked toward their house.

“I was sure he’d attack.” Chaz stepped in front of Len, looking down at her. At least she assumed so since he dipped his head. The sunglasses he wore hid his eyes. “That was brave but stupid, Lenore. Never get between two males about to fight.”

“I got him to calm down, didn’t I?” She would have hated to see her stepfather try to hurt Fray.

Fray squeezed her around her waist again and placed a kiss on the top of her head. “I appreciate it, but don’t do that again. Please. I was happy to stand there and take his blows until he expended his anger.”

“Well, I wasn’t okay with that.” Len wouldn’t apologize.

“It’s probably going to be tense for a day or two,” Chaz predicted. “I think it’s a good time for me to slip away to do that thing.”

Fray released Len and moved to her side. “Are you sure you don’t want to wait a few days, and I’ll go with you? You heard Moe. We’ll be here for at least a week.”

“As I said before, I’ll call you if I need an assist.” Chaz seemed to glance around since his head moved back and forth.

Len did, too, wondering what he was looking for. Everyone had gone inside the house, leaving them alone in the yard.

“I can handle scaring the fuck out of a Lycan pack myself or taking out the threats,” Chaz softly stated. “I’ve already contacted them and set up a meeting for tomorrow morning. I might stick around there for twenty-four hours to keep an eye on how they deal with whatever goes down.”

“What are you talking about?” Len wanted one of them to answer her.

Fray did, also keeping his voice low. “You don’t like secrets, but this is one you need to keep. I discovered that the reason Moe never wanted you to date someone from his pack. They are under the threat of a war from a local pack.”

She instantly felt alarmed.

“Don’t worry about it. Chaz is going to handle it, but we can’t let Moe know.” Fray took her hand.

“Why not?” She still had a lot to learn.

“Lycans have a ton of pride, and some idiots might challenge Moe if he allowed us to handle his problems, thinking they might be a better alpha. It’s not true, but still. We’re not going to risk that.”

She took that in. “But you dealt with the Gargoyles. No one is challenging him, right?”

“That’s different. Moe wasn’t here to deal with the threat. We kind of took over, and Kevin allowed it. He’s not an alpha, and that was an extremely special circumstance. Packs tend to deal with each other. It’s an honor system they use when having to fight it out amongst themselves.”

“Exactly.” Chaz inched closer. “So not a word, Lenore. I’m going to make that pack change their minds about wanting this territory or kill whoever disagrees with me. Problem solved. War averted.”

She didn’t want Werewolves attacking her family or friends. “Will that work? You can make them stay away and not come here to hurt anyone?”

“Fuck yeah, he can.” Fray lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. “Chaz will say he got a quick assignment from our clan to check out a Vampire situation near here to explain why he needs to leave right now. Are you on board with this?”

“Of course.” She was all for anything that would keep everyone safe.

Chaz nodded. “I’m going to go now. The Folsom alpha refused to meet in neutral territory and is demanding I go there. I’ve decided to stay in a hotel tonight since I want to catch up on my sleep. That won’t happen staying here at the pack house. Hug Dad for me and tell him we’ll be home soon.” He reached up and gripped Fray’s arm. “I’ll keep you updated.”

“You better.”

Chaz released his twin and walked toward the woods. Len watched him go before she turned to face Fray. “You can go with him if you want. This sounds really important.”

“He can handle it. If not, he’ll call, and I’ll go. Right now, I need to get you inside for this feast to make Moe and your mom happy. Then we’ll return to your cabin.” His grin turned sexy. “I have plans for you later, mate. We’re going to bond more.”

“I can’t wait.” Her body tingled at just the thought of all the things they’d do together. Fray and sex were something to get excited about.

“Food,” a familiar voice yelled.

Both turned toward the house.

Moe stood by the back door, glaring at them. “Get inside and spend time with Lisa. She missed you. Don’t upset your mom.”

“I’m having flashbacks of my teen years,” Len muttered. She started to walk with Fray at her side. They reached Moe.

He gave her a smile. “Go on in. They are set up in the basement since it’s a larger open space. I need to have a few words with Fray.”

Len shook her head. “I’m not going to allow you to hit him. He’s admitted he’d never hit you back. That would be fucked up. You’re into fair, right? That’s what you taught me.”

Moe’s features softened. “I’m not mad anymore. It was just a shock. You have my word that I won’t hit Fray.”

“Go on,” Fray urged. “It’s okay. I’ll join you in a few minutes.”

“Fine.” Len released his hand and entered the house. The smell of food was strong. Some women were carrying large trays toward the hidden entrance to the basement. She followed them. Ten long folding tables with chairs had been set up in the center. Two more long tables at the side of the room held a buffet-style setup. Her mom came to her.

“My baby is growing up.”

Len hugged her mom again. “I’ve been grown up for six years so far since I turned eighteen.”

“You know what I mean.” Lisa got in her face, studying her closely. “Are we really doing good with being around Werewolves and all this?”

“Yes.” It was the truth.

“I wish you’d mated to someone in the pack if you weren’t going to be with a human.”

Len wasn’t sure how to respond. After learning what she just had from Fray and Chaz, she wondered if her mom was unaware of the danger of another pack attacking theirs. It would fit that Moe didn’t want to worry her. He’d always been super protective of her mom. She decided not to say anything.

“Then again, Fray is hot.” Her mother winked.

That shocked Len.

“What? I’m mated but not blind,” her mom teased, smiling. It faded fast. “I’m happy for you as long as you’re sure this is what you want. And I plan to visit you to see this clan you’ll live with. I also expect you to come home at least every summer for a week or two.”

“I will. Especially when you give birth to the baby or babies you’ll have.”

Her mom’s eyes widened.

Len grinned. “I’ve learned a lot of things while you were gone. I’m looking forward to becoming a big sister. So yes, I’ll make sure we come visit.”

Her mom suddenly hugged her. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

* * * * *

Fray took off his sunglasses, knowing his uncle would want to see his eyes. “You know I’m going to take care of Len and make certain that she’s happy. Please spare me a lecture on Gargoyles and their lack of emotions. Mom taught Chaz and I better than that.”

“I wasn’t going to do that. Your father was very affectionate with my sister. I also know she raised you boys with lots of love and made sure you didn’t ignore your Werewolf halves.”

Fray nodded. “So, what do you want to discuss?”

“I wanted to thank you for saving my pack and territory.” Moe looked behind Fray. “Where is Chaz? I wanted to give him my thanks as well.”

“He’s been sent to check in on a nest that might be causing trouble.” He hated to lie, but Lycans were very proud, and Moe would be enraged if he learned where his twin had really gone. “You never have to thank us for anything.”

Moe grumbled under his breath. “Kevin said you arrived alone, and then Chaz had to rush here to help you take out the threat. I’m sorry that he had to put off his assignment. Is Lord Aveoth upset?”

“No.”

“How did your lord take the news of your mating? I want assurances that he’ll accept Lenore into your clan.”

“I haven’t told him yet, but he’ll be happy for me.”

Moe tensed.

“Lord Aveoth’s mate is half-human. They are welcome at the cliffs now, and Len will make friends there. I plan to call Lord Aveoth and Kelzeb later to share my news.”

“Are you certain she’ll be accepted?”

“Absolutely. Dad and Delbius are taking the survivor there. Humans are welcome at the cliffs.”

“Right.” Moe nodded. “I can’t believe I finally take a vacation after decades of never leaving my territory and this shit went down while I was gone.”

“It’s all worked out. That’s what matters.”

Moe reached out and clasped his arm. “I can never repay you for what you’ve done, but I’m calling it even since you’re taking Lenore away. Just be damn sure she stays in contact with Lisa, or I’ll be pissed.”

Fray smiled, placing his hand over his uncle’s. “I have the internet in my home. They can do those livestream things to see each other. I just hope Len knows how to do that on my computer. I only play games and watch movies I rent on the damn thing.”

Moe chuckled. “She’s a smart girl and uses computers at work.”

“There you go.”

Moe gave his arm a squeeze before releasing him. “Keep the sunglasses off, and let’s go eat. My mate thinks she can read souls by looking into someone’s eyes. Let her get a good look at yours. She’ll think they are cool.”

“I can do that.” He folded his sunglasses and clipped them to the back of his jeans pocket.

They both entered the house. Everyone was in the basement, filling plates with food. Len smiled when she saw him, rushing at him from her mother’s side. He felt pure bliss at seeing his mate. She looked happy and relaxed, and he was glad their mating had been accepted.

Most of all, he looked forward to taking her back to her cabin and making love to her. They’d spend the week with the pack, go through her belongings to see what she wanted to take to Alaska, and he’d make all the arrangements to move her to his home.

Their home.

Len walked right into his arms, and he hugged her. “I love you.”

She snuggled into his chest. “I love you too.”

Fray knew Lord Aveoth would be happy that he’d found his mate. At the end of the week, he and Chaz would escort Len to the cliffs. He had faith that she’d love their home. He’d make sure of it.

Len looked up at him. “What are you thinking about?”

He smiled. “What a great future we’re going to have.”

“Yes, we are.”