“This is Wells, and Forrest, and…well, you already know Elliot,” Claire says. Her Beta father lets out a grunt and I swallow thickly. “This is my mom, Liv, and my dads; River, Grayson, and Dean.” The first is the tattooed Beta, followed by a massive blonde Alpha competing in size with Forrest. The last Alpha also bears some resemblance to Claire and also looks like he might be a part of the mob.
I thought my massive family was intimidating, but I think Claire takes the cake.
Claire clears her throat when her family doesn’t say anything, “That’s my best friend, Shiloh, and her pack,” she says, pointing to the four other people in the room.
“So you’re just not going to mention that I’m your brother?” the younger tall blonde Alpha male asks.
“Right, my brother Jonah, and that’s Mack and Cole,” she says, pointing to the other men.
The elevator behind us chimes and Claire groans.
“Sorry I’m late,” a man says, strolling in. He’s also decked out in tattoos. By his size I would have assumed he was an Alpha, but he isn’t putting off any pheromones.
“And that’s my brother Axel,” Claire says, and the large Beta man gives us a grin.
“Claire Bear, look at you, coming back with a pack,” he says, approaching Elliot and locking his arm around his neck. Elliot and him both start to wrestle as Axel kisses the side of Elliot’shead. “You better have been a respectful gentleman with my sister, El.”
Elliot rolls his eyes and eventually shoves the man off of him.
“Come, you must be hungry. I made your favorite, honey,” Liv says, grabbing her daughter’s wrist and dragging her through the house.
Meanwhile, her best friend, Shiloh, is mouthing the words ‘I’m sorry’. I can’t tell if they’re directed at Claire or to me.
The dogs all trot after Claire’s mother like she’s the Alpha of their pack and it's amusing.
But as we sit down for dinner, it becomes clear that the words of apology are for me. Especially as I sit right across from her Beta father, who is openly staring at me. I look to my left and right. Apparently, no one else is seeing this, so I adjust myself in my seat and take a heavy sip of my water.
Shouldn’t there be some solidarity between Beta bros? If anything his glare should be directed toward Forrest or Elliot, but nope, he stares at me like he’s digging around to find my soul.
The dog who sniffed me earlier at least likes me as he drools on my lap begging for food. I’m petting the dog’s head, using his sleek fur to ground me when her Beta father finally speaks.
“What are your intentions with my daughter?” he says, and I swear he doesn’t blink, before shifting to Forrest and then landing with a tilt of his head on Elliot. “Hmm?”
“To take care of her, bond her, give her the pack she deserves,” Elliot says plainly, not looking away from the intimidating Beta.
There’s a long moment of silence. River and Elliot just staring at each other, before the Beta has a wide grin spread over his face.
“Good, my princess deserves the best,” her dad says and Forrest chokes on his water. I smack his back with some force.
“How was the cruise, was it fantastic?” Claire’s mom asks, smiling at her daughter.
“I’m sure it was disgusting. Alphas rutting all over the ship,” Axel says and I can’t help but to snort.
“You’re not completely off base there,” I reply, and Claire’s tattooed brother gives me a conspiratorial smile. At least someone got the Beta bros’ memo.
“So, you’ll be taking my sister back to New Hampshire. Does this mean I get a free season pass at the resort?” Axel says.
Claire rolls her eyes. “Seriously? That’s what you care about? Skiing?”
“Obviously it’s my first concern, then, of course, your happiness.”
Claire’s largest father, Grayson, grabs Axel by the back of the neck and squeezes. Something tells me out of the three siblings Axel was the most trouble, Claire was the most coddled, and Jonah the most responsible.
“We’re happy as long as you’re happy, Claire Bear. I’m glad you found what you’re looking for,” Grayson says.
“And that certain people—who will not be named—came to their senses,” Axel chimes in, his words pointed at Elliot, who gives his friend a subtle middle finger as he scratches the side of his head.
We pass around the family style dishes and I groan as I eat. The food on the cruise was good, but nothing beats a home-cooked meal.