Page 67 of The Pack Next Door (The Wolfverse #4)
Briar
“Hello, darling.”
Mum got to her feet with little effort, which helped ease something in my chest. She was definitely getting older, slower, not that I’d tell her that, but to see her closer to the way she was made me feel better.
So did wearing three mating marks.
“You look lovely.”
Her knowing smirk made clear I didn’t need to announce the news. Wearing my hair up in a loose bun made clear to all the betas as we walked into the brunch place that yes, those beautiful men by my sides were mine.
“You too,” I said, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “So how’s the garden going? Did the builders come around and fix the roof for you?”
“The garden is good.” Jacinta took a long sip from her bloody Mary. “The gardeners are even better. Young, hot, muscly?—”
“And old enough to be my son’s-in-laws.” Mum turned to the guys. “So, are congratulations in order?”
“I’ll take them,” Jace said, “but nothing’s as good as being mated to my girl.”
“For the record, I’d like it to be acknowledged that I am not saying I told you so,” Mum said.
“You literally just did.”
I couldn’t be crabby though. Who could be upset with your mother when she was right about something like this?
I couldn't seem to keep my hands to myself, rubbing Gideon’s thigh or pressing into the arm Mads slung around my shoulders.
There was a greedy part of me that wanted to gorge on each and every one of my mates.
Instead, I leaned forward and consulted the menu.
Eggs benny, scrambled… My brain derailed as a finger teased the baby hairs at my nape.
“Gods, look at them.” Mum rolled her eyes. As if she wasn’t completely chuffed by this turn of events.
“Sickening,” Jacinta agreed with a cackle. “So order a big breakfast, kids. Something tells me you need to keep up your strength.”
"So what're you going to do with the house?" Mum asked after the server took our orders. "The one in Moon River, I mean? Honestly, I was relieved when the Hart's kicked your parents out. Sorry, but--"
"No apologies needed," Gideon replied smoothly. "The birth givers seem particularly adept at making enemies. Not having them next door to my very lovely mother-in-law?" Mum flushed at that. "Well, it's a relief really."
"I mean, you could come and stay in the spring or autumn..." Mum's fingers toyed with the stem of her mimosa. "When it's cooler, I mean."
"And you could come and stay with us in the summer and winter," I countered.
"Hmm, alright, I get it." She flopped back in her chair. "Looks like it's just me and you, J."
"Best friends forever?" Jacinta said, clinking her glass against Mum's.
"Have been since I met you in primary school. All us old ducks are going to need to stick together, though..." Mum looked thoughtful. "If you want to sell the house, I might know who to."
"Really?" I took a sip of my coffee. Caffeine was just what I needed, because being in bed with three alphas could get a little athletic when they were keen on celebrating.
"Damien." I blinked, not sure what my mother meant.
"He and the Harts, they say they've stepped down, but that was never going to happen.
Not entirely. There's a sizable population of old timers like us who aren't good with change.
The new ruling pack were perfectly happy to give the Harts provenance over the ageing.
Those fellas, they're getting on themselves and don't have any children.
A comfortable retirement, that's what they're looking for, and they want to provide it for others.
They're talking about developing some of the pine plantation into an assisted living facility.
Damien sat down with the two of us to float the idea past us. "
"If I never see that house again, it won't be too soon," Mads replied. He raked his hair back from his face, freezing and smiling when he caught me paying way too much attention to the way his muscles flexed. "There's nothing in it I need."
"Mum donated everything." Jace's mouth thinned. "Probably because she intended to move right in. I guess we could let the parentals know we're getting rid of the stuff."
"Or not." Gideon's eyes hardened for a second, but when they met mine, they turned back to a dark gold.
He smiled at me, then grabbed my hand, pressing a kiss to my knuckles.
"Pretty sure there was nothing to Briar's taste there.
Maggie, Jacinta, if you know anyone in need, feel free to give away any of the furniture or other items in the house, otherwise. .."
"Sell it to the Harts to bulldoze and turn into an aged care facility?" Mads nodded. "I'm cool with that."
"Moon River is in the past." Jace shot me a lazy smile. "The city's where my future is, and that's all I care about."
"To the future," I said, raising my mug and everyone else did the same.
"To the future," the entire table said.