A Matter of Convenience

Thirty-Six

~Ericson~

This is the exact situation where mind-linking is extra helpful. We could have discussed the plan before this got started. Saying that Isis surprised me wouldn’t even begin to describe how I feel right now.

Thankfully for Isis, I was able to adapt quickly without giving away my shock. We sit in the room with my parents, all hugged up. Isis is sitting on my lap, and it doesn’t feel bad. Her hand is stroking the back of my head, where my hair is shaved.

Mom looks like she’s enjoying seeing us so close. My father looks like he wants to rip Isis off of my lap and toss her out on her ass. I decide to make it worse and place my free hand on her thigh. I move it up and down in a circular motion. He clears his throat, eyes focused on Isis. “Is this how you were raised? To be so wanton in front of your elders?” I decide to jump in before Isis can.

“What’s the problem, father? As wolves, we’ve never shied away from showing our feelings in front of others. When the mood hits, we go with it. Why is this a problem now? She’s my mate and wears my mark.” Isis places her hand on my chest and pats it a few times.

“It’s ok, boo. It seems that your father is uncomfortable with our union. I don’t want to make him feel that way in his own place.” She shifts on my lap before letting her body fall on the loveseat next to me. She keeps her legs draped over mine. I let my hand caress her thigh as she wraps her arms around me. “I hope this is more to your liking,” Father says nothing, but his pursed lips speak volumes.

“Oh Trevor, stop acting like a stick in the mud. When we were first joined, we were much worse and didn’t care who saw us.” Mom pats him on the leg before turning her attention to us. “Now, we need to discuss a few details. Where will you be staying?”

“We will stay here and at Isis’s place. We will take turns for now. We are actually looking into the possibility of building a packhouse in the neutral territory between our packs.” Mom’s eyes light up.

“Yes, Ericson and I decided that the best thing to do would be to join the packs. It would make sense to have a central packhouse so no one is forced to leave their place.” Mom nods eagerly, and I’m sure she’s already planning designs in her head.

“That is a stupid idea. I won’t allow it.” I clench my jaw but try to keep my voice neutral.

“It actually isn’t up to you.”

“What do you mean?! I’m still the Alpha of this pack!” I swallow the vitriol that is try to spew from my mouth.

“Yes, you are technically the Alpha, but I’m taking over. The elders were excited to hear about our plans for the packs. They said we had wonderful ideas.” See, if we could mindlink, this would be where Isis would remind me that we didn’t tell the elders our full plans. I would tell her it doesn’t matter because we told them the gist, and they plan to return to get the details. Whether father goes to them or not, we are in the clear.

“Yo….you told the elders?!” I nod once.

“Yes. They came to see Isis, and I was there. We told them that we would be making plans. They will be returning to go through our detailed plans.” If father were a cartoon character, there’d be steam coming from his ears. He’s completely pissed, and I think it’s funny. He jumps up from his seat, almost pushing Mom off the couch.

“Who the hell are you to go to the elders?! That should have been run by me first!” I lean back on the loveseat and pull Isis a little closer. She turns her face up and nuzzles my neck.

“We are taking over, father. It is what it is. I have to start planning and nothing I… we plan to do needs to be cleared with your first. You wanted this. You just told me this morning that you wanted to step away and spend more time with Mom. Seems as if you shouldn’t be fighting something that will allow you to do just that.”

“Yes I said I wanted to step down, but I didn’t tell you to join with… with… her!” He points to Isis, his eyes filled with disgust. “She has no femininity about her. She’s not elegant or graceful. She won’t even be a Luna!” Isis sits up slightly, her body tensing.

“You’re damn right. I won’t be a Luna! I’m a fu.cking Alpha through actions and by blood. I won’t ever allow anyone to make me less than who I already am. You can feel how you want to feel, but the fact won’t change anything. I’m an Alpha and your son’s chosen mate.” Isis settles back against me, and I wrap my arm around her shoulders.

“I’m warning you, son, you’re making a big mistake. She can’t be what you need her to be. It will be like being with another man.” I look down at Isis and find her looking up at me. I let my head slowly drop down until it’s inches from hers. I let our lips touch softly as I rub our noses together. Isis pushes up, and our lips collide. I caress her face as I deepen the kiss. Isis's lips part, and I push my tongue inside, enjoying her mouth's warmth and sweetness. I slowly pull away from her, brushing my fingers against her soft skin.

“Tastes like a woman to me.” I kiss her forehead and turn to look at my father.

“Trevor! Leave them alone!” Mom stands and gets in Father’s face. “I won’t sit back and watch you try to f***k this up! You need to get a grip and back off!” She turns to us with a genuine smile. “You two enjoy your evening. Your father and I need to talk.” She grabs my father and pulls him out of the room.

We sit in the quiet of the room, and I turn everything over in my mind. Two things have become very clear to me. One is that my father is going to be a problem. The look on his face tells me that he will do anything he can think of to come between us, so we will have to plan for that. The other is that my body has responded to that kiss, and that isn’t good at all.