Page 56

Clark

I sat in the airport with Tenzin and Snowball, waiting for my flight. It was busy as people went home for the holidays. Snowball napped in her carrier.

“Thanks for waiting with me.” I leaned my head on his shoulder.

“Always. I won’t have to wait that long,” he replied as he took a sip of his tea.

“Maybe next year you can come with me? You’ll love everyone. We can even bring Squiggles–and Bean and Pickles.” I could imagine my parents fussing over them.

Tenzin leaned his head on top of mine. “Maybe the year after, when they’re bigger? Next year perhaps we can all go to Portland, then go up to Vancouver, if Gwen’s talking to her family after this visit.”

“That sounds nice.” I worried about her and was so happy she’d be near Tens if anything happened. Really, I should go with her. But I was trying to respect her desire to do this herself.

Tenzin leaned over and kissed me. “You’d include all the babies?”

“Absolutely. I know you’ll want time with just Asher, but it would be good to let the other two know they’re always welcome. I mean,” my cheeks warmed. “I have cousins that are part of a two pack family and that’s what my uncles do, let them know they’re always welcome and loved regardless–and my cousins really like that, knowing they can choose to come-or not–and it’s fine.”

Tenzin pulled me to him and kissed me long and deep enough that an older pack chuckled and muttered about young love.

“Clark?” A guy stood in front of me wearing a hoodie that said Barwyn University and jeans.

I looked up to see my ex. The one who ghosted me when I was offered the contract with the Knights. “Josh.”

“What are you doing here?” His brow furrowed.

We’d met in class and were the same major. He was a beta, from a neighboring town. Josh wasn’t into team sports, but he went to a lot of my games. We’d been planning on transferring to the state university together and being roommates, which hadn’t happened because I got signed.

“I live here. Remember, I got signed by the Knights.” I frowned. Tenzin squeezed my hand. “Tenzin, this is my ex-Josh. Josh, this is my boyfriend, Tenzin.”

“Oh. I didn’t know they were in New York City. I, um, transferred to Barwyn this year.” Josh looked very uncomfortable.

“Okay. That’s great.” Why was he talking to me? He’d ghosted me. While I understood him not being happy about me getting signed since it disrupted our plans, I thought it at least deserved a conversation. Not him going silent then eventually leaving my shit on the porch.

“Ghosting you was shitty. I’m sorry. It’s hard when you realize someone loves a dream more than you. I’d made a breakup text a million times, but nothing sounded right. Then it was weird because of how much time passed,” he told me.

“Love isn’t pie.” I frowned. “I get it. Me being signed wrecked the plan. But saying nothing, not even a we should see other people text, was shitty. At first I thought you were dead, because the last time someone ghosted me like that, they’d fallen into the pond and died,” I blurted, letting out some of my anguish and feelings of abandonment.

That was the worst part, thinking something terrible happened to him. Especially since he was the first serious relationship I had after her.

“Josh. Where did you go?” An alpha woman and an alpha guy, about my age, joined him.

Josh’s expression went horrified. “Fuck.”

“I think you should leave.” Tenzin’s voice was low and growly.

“Okay. I…I’m sorry, Clark. Glad you’re living your dream.” He turned and left, the others putting their arms around him.

Shit. Josh was on my flight. I mean I was over him, and what we had wasn’t anything like what I had with Tenzin and Gwen, but it was still surreal to run into him in an airport.

“Are you okay?” Tenzin hugged me tightly. “I’m sorry, that was so… weird.”

“Yeah. It was. But I have you and Gwen now.” I hugged him.

“You do,” he assured.

I realized a little girl was watching us. I waved. She came over to us.

“You’re Wonder Boy.” The girl was about the age of my baby sister. She had lots of beaded bracelets on her wrists.

I nodded. “I am. That’s the Yeti.”

“Where’s Ladybug?” She looked around.

“She’s with her dads,” Tenzin told her.

Her face fell. She took off a bracelet. “Oh. Will you give this to her? I’m going to be just like her when I grow up. Only I’m going to play for the Dinosaurs. I’m going to wear lots of pink. I asked for pink skates for Christmas.”

“That’s amazing. Pink is always a good choice. I’ll absolutely give this to Ladybug,” I told her as I took the little colorful bracelet that said dream big . It was small, and I didn’t want to break it by putting it on my wrist, so I put it in my backpack.

“Good. Aww, hi, kitty.” She waved to Snowball and went back to her parents.

Tenzin chuckled. “Gwen is inspiring kids already. I’m not sure she realizes that.”

A voice echoed over the loudspeaker and I realized they were calling for my flight.

I stood. “Fly safe. Text me when you get in.”

“Same.” Tenzin hugged me. “Take care of Gwen.”

He’d be gone through New Year’s.

“Always. Love you. I’ll miss you.” I kissed him and grabbed Snowball’s carrier.

“Love you, I’ll miss you, too.” He squeezed my hand and watched me as I made my way to the gate and scanned my ticket.

I waved one more time, then boarded the plane and took my seat in first class, stowing Snowball in front of me.

The flight attendant brought me a soda, and the rest of the plane boarded.

“Oh, hey Wonder Boy, great game last night,” a guy said as he walked by.

Josh didn’t meet my eyes as he went past with the rest of what I supposed was his pack.

With a sigh, I got out the bracelet and made Gwen a video about the bracelet and the little girl.

Tenzin

Love you

Gwen sent me a silly selfie.

Yeah, they were all that mattered.

Snowball and I got off the plane. I took her to the pet area for a potty break, then got my bag and let my parents know I was waiting.

Gwen had sent me a ton of videos, telling me about how her grandparents left her a house. She’d read a letter from her mom that listed all the things her dads were supposed to do for her, and how, since they’d missed so much of her life, they’d put the money in an account for her.

She had lots of big feelings about it. Having met her family and heard her story, I could see where she was coming from. I made her a video back.

“Hey, I’m here and waiting to be picked up. I totally understand you having mixed feelings. Though I’m glad they have things for you. It would be sad if they didn’t have something ,” I told her. “The house you grew up in and were happy? What a gift. Now we’ll have to go see Mia and her pack so we can drive by the house. Send me pictures of the truck? Are you bringing it back with you? We’ll absolutely get you your license, especially with your pink motorcycle in the garage.”

Which we hadn’t taken for a ride yet because we hadn’t gotten body armor and Tens was holding us to that promise.

Maybe we’d do that when we got back to New York. It was a nice little motorcycle, and I looked forward to teaching her to ride it.

I got another video from her.

“I know. It really is. I’m excited to show you. I just didn’t expect money. They’ve never done that for my siblings. It’s weird and I’m still conflicted.” She sighed. “Not bringing back the truck this time. But I’ll look for pictures tomorrow.”

A familiar truck pulled up in front of me. I sent another video.

“Your feelings are valid. You can always save it or donate it. Oooh, you and the MASOs could do a project with one of the shelters–or there’s always the Squires or your community college or your university. I love you, I’ll check back in later, my ride's here,” I told her as the truck stopped in front of me.

Pops waved.

“Hey, Pops.” I put my suitcase in the back.

“Clark.” Mom got out and gave me a big hug. She looked around. “They didn’t come?”

“No, Mom. I told you, Gwen went to see her dads and Tens went to see the babies. But I brought Snowball.” I held up the carrier.

“You should have brought Gwen here or gone with her,” my omega mom scolded.

“I was trying to honor her request for independence. Tens is close if she needs him.” Hopefully, everything continued to be okay with Gwen and her dads. This trip would either reunite them or make her turn her back on them permanently.

“Snowball.” Tess waved at me from the backseat.

Snowball and I climbed in. “Wow, I didn’t think I’d get a whole party.”

“Ma had work, but she’s making meatloaf for dinner,” Tess told me.

“Sounds great.”

As we drove away from the curb, I saw Josh and his pack gathered with their things.

Mom frowned as Pops merged with traffic. “Is that…”

“Yeah. He attends Barwyn now. It was weird seeing him.” I sighed. “I just hope he’s happy. Hey, can we stop for butter burgers and frozen custard?” My stomach growled. Nutrition plans didn’t count for the holidays. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve, and we’d have a big bonfire and many tasty treats at my grandparents’.

Not to mention the special Christmas breakfast, followed by a big dinner at my aunts’.

“That’s why I came.” Tess grinned. “I figured we’d stop for something.”

“Of course. Are you eating enough?” Mom turned around in her seat and frowned. “I worry about you.”

“I am. Probably too much. Gwen likes cheese,” I laughed.

She nodded. “You’re making sure she gets enough to eat, too?”

“I try.”

Pops looked at me in the rearview mirror. “It’s important to make sure she’s taken care of.”

“I will, Pops. I’ve met her dads and brothers and I don’t want any of them to come for me,” I told him.

Fighting the urge to keep her close was hard. But, as Lenny had pointed out, that was a me problem. Stifling her independence wouldn’t go well and this would give me practice for when she got signed. Maybe I should take a class or something to help me be supportive but not suffocating.

Tess rolled her eyes. “Being an alpha sounds exhausting. ”

Gwen sent me pictures of her making cookies with some kids ranging from a little older than Tess to tiny. I think I’d met some of them at JP’s wedding.

Gwen

Cookie time!

Me

Have fun. They look delicious.

“Mom, can we bake cookies?” I asked. “Gwen taught me to make these chocolate almond cookies. She sent some.”

“I can’t wait to try them. I made some extra spicy pickles for Tenzin and I have more of that jam Gwen likes,” Mom told me.

“Thanks Mom.”

“Clark, I was right, there’s a nice kitchen table in the back of the barn. Needs refinished, though,” Pops said as we drove. “We should measure it first. Make sure it fits.”

Excitement shot through me. “You found one? Perfect!”

That’s what our new place needed, a big wooden table. I was already planning on shipping out the carved bedroom set I had.

I texted Tenzin even though he was in the air.

Me

Pops, Mom, and Tess picked me up. On my way home. Miss you.

Oh, I might have a table for our house.

On the drive, after Tess and I made some videos for Gwen, everyone caught me up on news–and all the holiday plans. I couldn’t wait. I missed everyone so much.

I got another video from Gwen. This one showing off her childhood room, done in purple with lots of fairy lights and a big bean bag by a bookshelf.

My heart squeezed. Yeah, I missed my family and was looking forward to Christmas. But I couldn’t wait to get back to them–and make our townhouse into a home.