Page 62 of Destined Paranormals: Volume One

“It’s good that the two of you are in agreement that you are mates and are willing to work on things,” Thomas said as he joined us. “There is, of course, the housing issue that needs to be addressed.”

My face flushed red at that. My house was on the smaller side. There really wasn’t room for another three people in it, and now that it had been mentioned, I realized that it probably wasn’t the best for Mason and Mae to be around Hailey with the way she was acting.

“What’s wrong?” Monroe asked.

I shook my head. “Nothing too serious. My house is on the smaller side. Alpha Forest was generous enough to offer it up. It’s a pack house.”

Just then, Alpha Forest joined us where we were standing just inside their back room. “There are some larger houses that are available if the two of you want to look at them. But I was under the impression that you would be moving to Treasure Ridge?”

I was confused and looked to everyone else for an explanation. I received it from Thomas, who nodded once. “Monroe is to be the new manager at the council’s store on Treasure Ridge. One of the perks of that is that he will be provided with housing up on the mountain if you two decide to live there.”

That made sense. I pinched the bridge of my nose and tried to calm my racing mind. A gentle hand on my shoulder drew my attention to my mate.

“What’s wrong? We don’t have to live on the mountain if that’s not what you wish. I was told there is a childcare center up there that I can have the children in as well, which is most certainly helpful. I understand you probably have a job down here though.”

I sighed. “Two, actually. Raising teenagers is expensive.”

“Two?” Alpha Forest asked, his tone somewhat stern. “Why haven’t you come to the pack for help?”

“Because Joseph needs a car to go to college next year, and Hailey is all about material things anymore. She has a new group of friends that are really not good for her, but whenever I try to explain that to her, she throws it in my face that I’m not her father and she doesn’t have to listen to me.”

Someone cleared their throat, and looks were passed around between the others. I was going to hear it from someone, I was certain.

It was Thomas who spoke up. “Yes, well, you and Monroe can discuss that and work all of that out when you are ready. For now though, it’s obvious that the two of you recognize each other, and you will have time to work things out and claim one another.”

I tried to look apologetic to my mate. I didn’t have time to let him claim me right now. “I have to get to work. As it is, I’m going to be late. Then I have a shift tonight at my second job. I don’t work there tomorrow though, so maybe we could talk then?”

“Nope, that’s not how things work, Oscar. You are no longer alone in your fight,” Alpha Forest said. Aspen came over and joined us just then and carefully took Mae from Monroe, who seemed hesitant at first but gave up his baby sister.

“Don’t worry. We have a crib still, and both of them will be perfectly fine here while you two have your time together to form your bond,” Aspen said. He gave Mae a gentle squeeze and closed his eyes with a huge smile on his face. Alpha Forest gave his mate a loving look, but now that Monroe’s arms were free, he used them to reach for me.

“Is there something you find displeasing about me?” he asked.

“No. We do need to talk though, but meeting my mate wasn’t on my radar this morning. I was just hoping to get through the day without another tantrum from Hailey.”

“Yes, we’ll deal with that as well,” Alpha Forest said. “Dad and Papa are coming to help out with both of your siblings, and Papa was going to swing by your place and pick them up. They’ll be perfectly fine here until the two of you are ready for everyone to be together in your new place. You just need to let us know where that’s going to be.”

Everyone seemed to be looking at me expectantly. Talk about a shotgun mating. “I guess we’re living on the mountain. It’s closer for Monroe, and maybe I can find a job up there too.”

“Fantastic,” Thomas said.

Monroe gave me a confused look, but I didn’t know what to tell him. I had responsibilities much like he did. Sure, we would share them now, but he had two siblings he was raising. His were still young though, and things were cheaper for them. I was about to ask him if we could meet up tomorrow after I got off work, but my stomach did that flip thing, and we were no longer standing in Alpha Forest’s house. It was silent where we were, and when I looked around, I saw that only Monroe was with me.

“Did you do this?”

Monroe shook his head.

I took several steps away from the door that we were standing just inside and found myself walking into a gorgeous house that had my eyes widening. There was definitely a wall full of windows that showed the forest behind it.

“Where are we?” I asked.

Monroe had come up behind me, and although he wasn’t actually touching me, he was standing close enough that I could feel the heat coming from him.

“I would have to guess that we’re on the mountain. You mentioned your house was too small. My job will be up here, and it comes with a house as a bonus. This is probably it.”

I nodded. That made sense. I looked up at Monroe, who I found staring intently at me. “We should probably talk for a bit before anything happens. There’s a lot about me that you need to know.”

“That sounds…ominous.”