Page 109 of Abel's Omega

He let Fan down to run over beside Mitchel. “Where, sweetie?”

“Here,” she shouted, and dragged him by his free hand.

Fan stomped his foot. “You scared it! Go away!”

“Easy there, Fan. I’m sure it’ll come back. And there’s lots more. I bet this isn’t the only one in the enclave.”

Mitchel gave him an assessing look. “You should smarten your mate up if he’s leaving the child care to you. He got away with a lot, as pretty as he is, but it’s time he settled into his responsibilities.”

“He’s fine.” Abel touched Fan’s shoulder. “Let’s look farther along the foundation,” he said, and pointed to a likely crack about halfway down. As Fan clambered along the side of the house, Teca right behind him, Abel turned to Mitchel. “I’m only going to say this once. I’m entirely pleased with Bax. He’s an excellent parent and a supportive partner in the family and in running the pack. The pack itself has taken well to him, and if I’m not around, they’ll go to him with issues to be solved. And he does it. So let’s not hear more about how you’re certain I’m disappointed in him. I’m not, and you’re not going to make friends with me by talking about him like that.”

The look of astonishment on Mitchel’s face was satisfying, even if Abel knew he might be risking any support the other Alpha would lend in the future.

But Mitchel had a surprise in store for him.

“I’m glad you feel that way about our Bax. As frustrating as he was—and he tested every limit he could find—he was my favorite of that year’s crop of pups. Patrick was pretty set on him as soon as he laid eyes on the boy, and I’d hoped that he was old enough to deal with Bax’s hijinks while the boy finished growing up. I thought the responsibility might settle Bax some, too. If I’d known how it would be, I’d never have agreed to mate him to Patrick, but would have tried to talk him into Holland or someone calmer. Once it was done, though, there was little I could say in the matter. He was Patrick’s. And I don’t think he was poorly cared for.”

“No,” Abel agreed. “He was fed, and had a roof over his head, but outside of those physical needs, I don’t think Patrick much cared if he was happy or not.”

“And you do.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement.

Abel hefted Beatrice in his arm and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the drool from her chin. “Yes, I do.”

CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT

I was staring in wistful bafflement at the supplies in the pantry when a voice interrupted me.

“Hello, darling.”

I spun. My mother stood in the doorway, smiling at me, her arms open wide. I ran into them.

“Mam!” We hugged, tears falling down both our faces. I got my leaky eyes from her, as well as my coloring, though I took after my father’s side of the family in my face and figure. “I’m so happy to see you! I’m sorry I missed you back in January.”

“Oh, darling, you were so sick! But that man of yours.” She smiled approvingly. “I’m glad you got to pick this one for yourself. I always knew you’d do a good job of it, no matter what your father and uncle thought.”

“He’s definitely a keeper. He even adopted the pups from Jackson-Jellystone.”

“Oh, that must be such a relief.”

“It is.” We paused, staring at each other with goofy smiles on our faces, then I said, “I need to feed everyone, but there’s not much here.” I sighed. “I’m still not much of a cook.”

“You never needed it.”

“Maybe. But I want it now.” I turned back to the shelves.

“Well, I stopped by the warehouse and brought some fresh meat—steak, though it’s not the best kind. But it’s quick, and we’ll fix it up fancy.”

“Oh, Mam.” I hugged her again, and we went back out to the kitchen.

Noah was still hiding under the table chewing on his sheep when we came out. He was having a grand time, and I warned Mam to pretend she couldn’t see him under there.

“Oh, no,” she cried in mock sadness. “I came out here to see my grandson and he’s gone!”

A tiny giggle came out from under the table.

Mam winked at me. “When do I get to meet the rest of them?”

“They’re outside looking for geckos with their Pap.” I found the steak on the counter and pondered what I could do with it. “I’ll call them once I’ve something to feed them that won’t poison them.”