Overcoming His Pride (3 page)

They both worried that Andrew could live quite well without them.

“I refuse to give up on him. He’s responding to us, you’ve seen him. Besides if he touches another person, man or woman, I will kill them.” Chen gritted his teeth over the thought of anyone else romantically involved with their man. He could accept Andrew’s reticence over being with two men so much younger than himself, but he wouldn’t allow their human to find a replacement. Anyone Andrew showed interest in would be dissuaded, forcibly if necessary.

“Agreed.” Marlen’s expression reflected Chen’s determination. They might not be bad-ass warriors, but they could peck the shit out of anyone who tried to get too close to their mate.

They pulled up alongside James’ car. The lion shifter paced back and forth along the side of the street. James stopped when he saw them approach.

“Hey, James,” Marlen greeted him.

“Hey, guys, thanks for coming to get me. Dad said you volunteered.” James eyed them curiously.

Chen had a feeling they were being inspected for more than their willingness to help out. “Your dad had to get to work. We didn’t have anywhere else to go so we offered.”

James raised a golden eyebrow. “And you two happened to be at my dad’s house this morning?”

Marlen blushed then bristled. “That’s between your father and us.”

Chen wrapped an arm around his lover. Marlen was generally the more level-headed of them, but Andrew brought out his protective streak. Marlen had confessed to Chen before that he thought Andrew had been beaten up by life and just needed the right people to love him. His nurturing lover couldn’t resist an injured soul.

James didn’t appear placated over Marlen’s statement. “Don’t hurt my dad. He’s pretty vulnerable right now. His last relationship ended badly.” James shoved his hands into his pockets and levelled them with a challenging look. He might be new to the shifter world, but the lion shifter was settling in just fine.

A spike of admiration went through Chen at James’ willingness to stand up for his father. Andrew didn’t know how much his son was watching out for him.

“We’re not screwing with him. He’s our mate. I’m sure you’ve heard us telling him that before.” They weren’t shy about announcing to everyone that Andrew was their mate, especially to people who looked twice at the sexy older man.

“I know you two think he’s your mate, but how’s he’s taking the news? He isn’t big on discussing his love life with his son.”

Chen could tell James worried about his father. Andrew and James might have a rocky relationship, but the love between them warmed Chen’s heart. He decided James deserved an answer. Andrew wouldn’t want his son worried about him. “We’re going slow and trying to get him used to the idea.”

Well…slow for wrens, but James didn’t need to know that part. Andrew wouldn’t want details of his courtship shared with his son, no matter James’ age.

Chen walked over until he stood shoulder to shoulder with Marlen. The soothing comfort of his mate’s warmth against him calmed Chen. “We will take good care of him.”

They stood still, frozen with apprehension as they waited for James’ decree. Their mate’s son could make things difficult for them if he chose. Chen knew if James didn’t approve, it would put the nail in the coffin of their hopes. Andrew might not let his son pick his lovers, but James’ approval would be an important factor. After what felt like forever to Chen’s thundering heart, James finally nodded.

“Good. I just want him to be happy, even if you are kind of young for him.” James’ teasing grin told Chen he was just yanking their tail feathers.

“We’re trying to wear him down,” Marlen admitted. “He thinks he’s too old for us.”

“He’s also not gay. That might be an even bigger issue than the age thing.” James examined them with his clear gaze as if weighing their worth. “He might be bi. He doesn’t seem to mind you two touching him. Let’s just say we never talked about my father’s sexuality as a child.”

“He didn’t say anything when you told him you were gay?”

“I never told my father I was gay. He caught me kissing a guy and that was that. We never had the ‘big discussion’,” James said, curling his fingers into quotation marks.

“Even if he was only bi-curious before, he’s more now. It’s the mate connection,” Chen said. “If he lets us stay near enough to him, I’m almost positive we can eventually wear him down.”

Chen had to believe those words were true. If Andrew didn’t accept them, their nest would never be complete. How much longer could he keep Marlen happy on his own if Andrew rejected them? Wren shifters tended to bond in groups to keep larger predators away. They rarely made successful couples.

“Good luck. I want him to be happy.” James looked down at his shoes as if contemplating their tips would reveal the secrets of the universe. “He’s had it tough with me over the years. Everything he’s ever done, he’s done for me, even when things didn’t work out quite like he was hoping. I know he feels bad for the medication, but I think without it in the beginning I would’ve died. I hope he sticks around longer. I’d like to get to know my dad better.”

The wistful words full of hope and heartache gripped Chen’s heart. He ached for the pair.

He gripped James’ shoulder. “We hope so too.”

“He’s doing good work for the hospital,” Marlen offered. “Not to mention he saved Chester. He could help out a lot around here if he decided to stay. It’s always hard for shifters to get good medical care. At least here we have a hospital, but I know Henrickson sometimes has problems finding enough staff.”

James tilted his head. “You think he’ll stay?”

Chen took this question. “Maybe, maybe not. He might decide that we’re too stalkerish and you are doing better without him. He doesn’t lack confidence in his skills as a doctor, but like you said, his relationship record isn’t the best.” He didn’t want to tell James that a lot of it depended on him. The lion shifter didn’t need the pressure. If James told Andrew he wanted his father around, Chen doubted Andrew would leave.

James ran his fingers through his hair as if the conversation had stressed him. “Can you guys take me to the pack house? I left some homework there I need to grade. Talan has convinced me to tutor some of the younger lions. He thinks if they can get extra tutoring, they’ll do better in the human school.”

Chen nodded his agreement. “School is a special hell for shifters. Staying still for hours on end is unnatural for children. For shifter children it’s even worse.”

With their quick metabolism and short attention span, both wren shifters had had difficulty in school. Focusing had been next to impossible with their fidgety bodies. Large shifters thought they had it tough. His human teachers were always quick to want to label Chen with having ADHD and recommend medication. His parents had just laughed.

“I think I’m helping some. I just have to remember to build in time for going outside to hunt and napping in the sun.”

James’ mouth quirked in one corner—he had his father’s smile. Chen’s heart ached at the sight. Any sign of their lover twisted his heart. Fear their older mate would never accept them lived like a scary beast in the corner of his mind.

Marlen jangled his keys and nodded his head towards the car. “How about we go get something to eat first? We didn’t get a chance for breakfast and I don’t know about you, but we’re starving.”

“That’s a great idea. I ran out of the house without eating. I figured I’d grab something at the pride house. Lou usually makes me honey with almond butter and toast.” James’ face lit up when the talked about his mate.

Chen hoped one day he could talk about Andrew like that, as if he were part of their lives.

“Ready to go?” Marlen asked, breaking into Chen’s thoughts.

“Yeah, sorry.” He avoided Marlen’s curious, questioning look. He had no doubt his wren mate would corner him later to talk. Damn, how he hated talking about feelings. Unless it was Marlen or James wanting to share theirs, then he’d listen.

The drive to the diner went swiftly as the three men discussed different shifters they knew.

“Have you seen that little wolf following Arturo around?” James asked.

Chen laughed. “Yeah, I don’t know his name, but I think Arturo is losing his resolve to ignore him. I saw him toss a roast beef sandwich to him the other day.”

“It wouldn’t be the first wolf and lion match,” James said.

“No, but it might be the most interesting.” Marlen grinned.

Arturo, a lion shifter, kept to himself and didn’t mix with most of the pride. He remained loyal to Cesar although he gave Talan proper respect during shifter gatherings. Chen didn’t know what he thought about the lion, but the sad wolf shadowing Arturo had come with some other pack members to help build an extension to the pride house.

“Has anyone seen him in human form?” James asked.

“I don’t think so,” Chen replied. “At least I haven’t. I mean, he has to change sometimes if he’s helping with the build, right?”

“I haven’t seen him,” Marlen said.

Chen pulled into the diner parking lot right beside a familiar car.

“Why is Dad here?” James asked.

“I don’t know. He said he had to get to the hospital.” A cold, icy shiver went down his spine.

Marlen exchanged an uncertain look with him that confirmed neither of them knew what was going on. They got out of the car. A glance through the diner window had them freezing in their tracks.

“Who the fuck is that?” Chen growled.

A beautiful woman with long golden hair sat on the opposite side of the booth from their mate. Andrew’s intent expression twisted the knife in Chen’s heart.

Marlen entwined the fingers of his left with Chen’s right hand. “You don’t think he’s on a date, do you?”

No collection of words had ever hurt more.

“I’m sure he isn’t,” James said. “Maybe she works for the hospital. It could be a business meeting. They aren’t holding hands or kissing or anything.”

Chen remembered how to breathe. He nodded, more to show he’d heard James’ words than that he agreed with them. James had made a good point. Still, something about the way Andrew held himself, the stiffness in his posture, radiated discomfort.

“Let’s go introduce ourselves,” Marlen said. He dragged Chen after him. James walked a little ahead of them as if trying to head off any confrontation.

Chen could’ve told him a dragon shifter wouldn’t be able stop them from finding out who sat with their man, much less a lion.

“If she touches him, I’ll peck her eyes out,” Marlen growled.

His mouth almost dropped open. Marlen’s gentle nature had always steadied Chen’s fiery temper. How had Chen become the calm one?

James shoulders shook, but the lion shifter wisely didn’t turn around.

They entered the diner but waved the waitress away.

“We see our party,” James said.

Chen’s chest tightened as they stopped beside Andrew’s table.

“Hey, Dad. Thanks for having your mates pick me up,” James said in a cheerful tone.

“James.” Andrew paled. The scent of his fear had Chen’s bird clawing to get out.

Chapter Three

Andrew looked up to find the wren shifters and his son glaring at him. He swallowed the lump of tension in his throat. Damn, he’d hoped to talk to James before he saw the woman sitting across from him. Fear over losing his son again choked him.

“What are you guys doing here?” Shouldn’t they be back at the pride house? Someplace far away from him where he didn’t have to explain anything. The wrens practically radiated hatred at Andrew’s companion. Since they didn’t know her identity, he wondered why they were so angry.

“We came to have some breakfast. James hadn’t eaten either so we thought we’d bring him. What about you?” Chen asked. “I thought you had to go to the hospital.”

Andrew winced at the accusation in Chen’s eyes. “I called and told them I would be late.”

Henrickson hadn’t been happy with him, but Andrew’d had to see what Juliet wanted and she wouldn’t tell him over the phone.

“Aww, did the little birds lose their nest mate?” Juliet taunted.

Andrew stood and grabbed Chen’s wrist just in time. The wren’s hand had transformed into talons—rather big ones considering the tiny bird he transformed into. “Enough!” He scowled at both of them. He couldn’t have a fight in the middle of the diner, not with James still wondering what the hell was going on. He needed to talk to his son privately before all hell broke loose.

“You don’t want to play that game.” Juliet’s hand turned into a lion paw ready to swipe at the wrens.

“Juliet, stop it,” Andrew demanded.

She changed back completely to human before flashing Andrew an insincere smile. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends? They’re so cute and so very young.”

Andrew gritted his teeth. He took a deep breath before he spoke. “These are my friends, Chen and Marlen. And you don’t probably recognise him because you dumped him when he was young, but this is James, your son. Gentlemen, this is my ex-wife, Juliet.”

“I don’t remember us getting a divorce, love,” Juliet said, batting her eyelashes. She turned her gaze to James. “Nice to see you’ve grown into a fine young man.”

A soft gasp from the wrens had Andrew clenching his fists.

“We’re no longer married. You turned into my ex when you left and abandoned our child because he wasn’t perfect,” Andrew snapped. He immediately regretted that when his son spoke.

“That’s why you left?” James soft tone of horror made Andrew’s heart ache. He’d never told James the truth because he hadn’t wanted his son to carry that burden, thinking he’d caused his parents to split. Juliet’s selfishness and callous disregard for them both had been the cause. Still, Andrew hadn’t expected her to leave James behind. But Juliet didn’t have a maternal bone in her body.

“James!” For the first time, the smug smile left Juliet’s face. She stood, brushing past the wrens, and reached for James as if to give him a hug.

He stepped back. “What, you think you come out of nowhere and we’re hugging now? I don’t know you and I don’t care to.” James turned to Andrew. “I’ll talk to you later.”