Archer threw open the front door and marched toward the guest rooms. I shuffled into my grandparents' house and went to the kitchen.
"He's too old to be throwing a fit," stated Rupert. "He's healthy. Why the hell is he so worked up?"
Peter looped arms with his mate and took him to the living room. "Let's move on and not worry about it."
"I raised that boy better."
"I know you did," said Peter, patting the man's arm.
Sitting down at the counter, I let out a sigh. My grandma was making some kind of potato casserole for dinner.
"So?" she asked.
"I overreacted." Slumping over, I pulled at my hair. "He was fine. The doctor said everything had healed and it was just scarring."
"That's wonderful."
"Archer's mad at me."
She laughed softly. "You bruised his pride, sweetheart. Like he keeps saying, Archer is a dominant. They don't like to be fussed over."
"Yeah," I said with a sigh. "I'm figuring that out the hard way. Where are my parents?"
"Aden is upstairs, and I think Titus is in the backyard. Darius left this morning with Trevor. They had a bit of a fight."
"Who? My father and Darius?"
"Everyone against Trevor." She shook her head. "I'd feel bad for him, but I get the impression he's keeping secrets that involve my family. Maybe you should give Daven a call and see if he can get Trevor to talk."
I shrugged. "If Darius can't, then neither can Daven. I'm sure being alpha of that pack comes with many secrets."
"Hmm... We'll have to see about that." She ripped off a piece of tin foil. "I might send Jesse in to do some snooping."
Laughing, I stood. "I'm sure the sub is the best bet. I'll go and check on my father." I went to the backdoor and stepped outside. He was sitting on the steps.
"Hey, how'd it go?"
"He's perfect." I sat down. "That's why he's pissed at me."
My father chuckled, smiling to himself. "Your dad had to sit me down a few times and remind me that he isn't made of glass. He wasn't going to shatter every time he stepped outside." He peered across the yard. "It's hard. After what happened with—" He took in a deep breath. "Even though I won, I was so on edge for months. I was sure someone else was going to try and take Aden from me." He sat up. "He has red markings for a reason, and he lets me have it when he is tired of me fretting over his every move."
I rubbed the back of my neck. "I'm the one with the red markings, unfortunately."
My father nodded. "From what I hear, Archer is a reddish-brown."
"Don't tell him that. He's already pissed at me." I rested my chin on my palm.
"Let him cool off a bit, and he'll forgive you for embarrassing him. Groveling also helps."
I smiled. "Is that what works on Dad."
He nodded. "Gifts, vacations to Midfield, it depends on how bad I messed up."
"Archer is done with humans and civils for a while."
"I don't blame him."
We sat quietly for a bit and peered out over the backyard and into the field next to it.
"Trevor is keeping things from us."
I scoffed. "Grandma picked up on it and she didn't even go on your leadership walk last night."
"I wish I had that folder." He roughly ran his hands through his hair. "I want your dad to look at that one guy with the scar."
"The leader?"
He nodded. "He seems so familiar but different. I might have got a little heated."
"Is that why you're out here and Dad is upstairs?"
My father nodded. "I punched Trevor, alright. That's why he left with Darius because I was close to doing more than that. They need some space because the situation is a bit more personal to me. It involves my sons." He met my gaze. "We're going to have to rely on Darius and his great people skills."
"Shit," I muttered. "We might be heading into a war."
My father laughed. "Thank god we mated Daven into that family. It was smart thinking on our part."
"Grandma is already thinking of recruiting Jesse for the cause. Daven might not get Trevor to talk but I know how persuasive a sub can be."
Smiling to himself, he clasped his hands. "How are you feeling? The mental blow can be hard. It kicked my ass and it wasn't like someone took Aden from me."
I shrugged. "I'm calming down. I feel more like my old self."
"Great." He squeezed the back of my neck. "Northern Ridge needs its beta. How are you going to handle school?"
Letting out a deep breath, I rubbed my face. "I dropped my classes, so I won't have to worry about it until the fall. We will be moving if I take Archer with me."
"He's going," stated my father. "If you go, he'll want to go, too."
"That's what I'm worried about. Maybe, I can finish online."
"Hmm... well, the local pack said you can move into their boundaries. Liam and Cyrus are changing to a more secure location. Cyrus refused to transfer to Midfield University. That's also another option you could consider."
"I am." I nodded. "If I finish my bachelor's degree where I'm at, I can get my masters at MU. I have all summer to figure it out."
The door opened behind us. I perked up when Archer stepped outside.
"I'm not mad," he stated. "Annoyed, but I'm not mad, so you can stop hiding."
"Did my grandma tell you I was hiding?"
He shook his head. "My dad." He frowned. "We talked, and I'm not mad."
Grinning, I stood and hugged him. "I talked with mine, too." I nodded toward my father. "I'm sorry. You're not made of glass, so I'll stop acting like you're going to shatter."
My father scoffed, sputtering at the comment.
Archer looked at me, confused. "I think you're conversation was very different than mine."
I gave him a quick peck. "A little bit."
***
I carried the bags into the living room and stacked them near the door.
"We're leaving in thirty," called my dad down the stairs.
"Not before you eat," replied my grandma. "Saigon, go ahead and get something. Archer and his parents are already eating."
Nodding, I stepped into the kitchen. A stack of pancakes was sitting on the counter. The different topping options were placed around them. I went to get myself a plate.
Rupert cut me off. "The scars are still there," he muttered.
I froze and slowly looked at the man. "Um..." I swallowed hard. "He wasn't in the mood...."
Nodding, he glanced at his son. "Take care of them soon." He patted my shoulder and went to sit with his mate.
I stood there for a moment, trying to comprehend what had happened. Should I be embarrassed, mortified, or relieved? Rupert was someone I'd never get used to being around.
"Everyone is going to meet us at the cave," said Peter. He showed his mate the messages on the phone. "Your parents and Xavier and Storm are already there. Darius sent a text. Daven is also coming."
Rupert grunted. "Noise and chaos by the sounds of it."
Peter stood on his toes and kissed the man's cheek. "They're just happy Archer is safe. We're all happy to have him home."
My father-in-law's gaze landed on me. "For how long?"
I continued to butter my pancake. "We have the summer to decide."
"We're going back in the fall," stated Archer. "Saigon needs to finish his degree."
"Did you forget how dangerous—"
"We're moving into the werewolf community," said Archer, cutting off his father. "I'll stay there with them and Saigon can finish school."
Rupert nodded. "I'll have to check out the house before I approve."
"He's an adult." Peter clasped his mate's hand. "He has a mate."
"I'm not letting my son be put in danger again. Unless a trustworthy pack protects him, the answer is no. They can stay in Northern Ridge, and Saigon can attend school online. I did it."
I moved to the table. "You can come with us to look at the house. It's in a gated community—werewolves only."
"Gated community. Interesting." Rupert finished off his drink. "I'm starting to understand why Darius likes walls so much.