The Professor's Second Chance Mate

Chapter 25a

The next few days passed with a flurry of activity, during which I lived with not only Kelton, but his four visitors. Uncle Keith, Sam, Max, and Kilani. It was strange being in close proximity to that many people and being included, after just existing in the perimeter at home. It was both wonderful and weird.

The men stayed for two nights. Yet, all of them were kind, welcoming, and respectful. Still, I was concerned more than I’d ever been about the age gap between Kelton and I. Though, when Uncle Keith said I’d always been an “old soul”, that helped put me at ease. Since I didn’t grow up as a typical teenager, I had been forced to act like an independent adult long before most people my age. It wasn’t in my nature to act like a demanding, entitled brat. Kiren had that covered.

Given my life so far as an eternal loner, at first I felt uncomfortable and awkward to be suddenly living with a group of people, mostly older men. Plus, I felt like a dirty spy sneaking in and out of Kelton’s house so as not to get spotted by the other students or any college staff. Yet, it was also kind of fun. The risky element felt like a game.

Of course, as well as the guys there was Kilani. She, my stepdaughter as she loved to remind me, often declared herself my new best friend and practically attached herself to my hip, forever I think. Never having had a bestie before, that was new. On the plus side, not once did I feel like an outsider, a burden, or a child with any of them.

For the first time in a long time, I felt like part of a family. I felt wanted and accepted. It wasn’t about fitting into some mold or walking on eggshells to keep the peace—it was effortless. The laughter around the dinner table wasn’t something I had to fake a smile for; it bubbled up naturally, catching me off guard. The way they listened, really listened, when I spoke made me feel seen, not just heard. It was in the small things—the shared glances, the inside jokes, the unspoken understanding—that I realized this wasn’t just a fleeting moment. It was warmth, it was home, and for once, I didn’t feel like an outsider looking in. I felt like I belonged.

Often everything felt surreal and I’d catch myself wondering if Kiren and his posse were going to jump out from behind something and yell, “gotcha!!” Then take my new family away from me. Then, I’d internally kick myself for thinking like a pessimist and Maya would lecture me at length about underestimating our awesomeness. I’m glad the Goddess paired me with Maya. She has all the confidence I’d buried deep within.Or was stomped down deep more like it.

As for that other worry I’d been battling, I’d rapidly caved to Kelton’s soft, brown pleading eyes and explained what happened the other night. I watched as he clenched and unclenched his fists while he reigned in his fears and fury, before shoving his hands in his pockets, resuming his outward show of the cool, calm, collected man he always is. Strangely, I liked watching his inner struggle. Not because I liked worrying him, but because it gave me some perverse reassurance that for once, someone loved me enough to care deeply about my wellbeing. Someone would actually miss me were I to disappear. I couldn’t remember having felt that way in a long time. Maybe ever. How f*****g sad is that?!

Since that confession, Kelton’s protective and possessive streak surfaced. If he wasn’t with me, Kilani was. She attended every class with me – attached at the hip. If I went to the bathroom she came too. I felt both smothered and safe at the same time. Having always been alone, this constant companion thing took some getting used to. I protested her need to stand outside my bathroom stall listening to me take care of my needs - eww. Though I quickly learned that Kilani can talk her way into or out of just about anything. She has the gift of reading people, she assesses everything about their body language in minutes. At times, you’d swear she's a mind reader. She picked up on the fact that even though I was uncomfortable with the whole situation, I still appreciated it. Damn, betraying, body language making me look weak.

Her confidence and her beauty drew looks wherever we went.

“Oh, s**t. I’d love to be the meat in that sandwich,” one of my classmates sang as Kilani and I headed to class one afternoon. While I was busy sending a silent prayer of thanks that Kelton hadn’t heard that comment, Kilani replied.

You couldn’t handle all this, boys.” She threw one arm around my shoulders in a casual hug, the other hand gliding down her side with exaggerated flair. Somehow, I didn’t die of embarrassment—though it was a close call. Her confidence was magnetic, and despite my initial awkwardness, she grew on me faster than I expected.

A few days after their arrival, the male guests, Keith, Sam, and Max, returned to their pack. They’d spent so much time trying to convince Kelton to come home with them that their departure felt less like a goodbye and more like a temporary pause. I had a creeping suspicion I’d see them again soon—sooner than I was ready for. They’d been kind to me, almost overly so, their smiles warm, their words gentle. I couldn’t deny a small flicker of relief at the thought of knowing someone—anyone—if Kelton decided to leave and drag me along to his pack with him.

Because let’s be honest, there was no way he’d let me stay here. Not with this invisible, unspoken threat hanging over me like a shadow that stretched long and sharp across the floor.

After they left, Kilani and Kelton became even more vigilant. The air in the house seemed to hum with unspoken warnings, every glance exchanged between them carrying weight I couldn’t quite interpret. They followed routines with rigid precision—doors double-checked, curtains drawn tight after sundown, and lights strategically left on throughout the night. All in an effort to what? Drown out the shadows? They tried to hide their vigilance from me, playing it off as nothing. But I knew Kelton had lost Kilani’s mother. Despite his efforts to play it cool, I could see he was worried he might lose me too.

I’d only been back to my room once, a whirlwind visit to grab clothes, school supplies, and the essentials. After that, it was classes and Kelton's house. Though my mate’s company and the acceptance of his friends and daughter, smothered the bulk of that underlying tension for me.

I’d honestly started to wonder if I’d let my crap childhood get into my head again. Perhaps my overactive imagination had gotten the best of me. I’d let paranoia flair and, now that I had a real friend and a proper support system, felt more settled. I imagined the texts and the shadow things. At least, that’s what I tried to convince myself of.