“Of course. Another Bloodshed Academy alumnus is always welcome here.” Charlie smiled and then stepped closer to Rage and me, his voice a low whisper. “Why did you bring that vampire here again?”
That irked me. “Because he’s one of our best friends, and we wanted to spend Christmas with him.” I’d be damned if I admitted it was because his family left to do political stuff. Cole didn’t speak of his family often and normally tried to change the subject when they were brought up. Some things were starting to make sense to me.
“It’s just …” Charlie’s eyes widened, and he glanced around, waving his hand up and down telling me to lower my voice. “He’s not one of us.”
A deep chuckle resonated from Rage’s chest.
“Oh, you don’t consider a vampire a supernatural?” Cole was the first one I met from the Academy and protected me. There was no way in hell I’d let someone bad mouth him like that.
“Well, of course he is …”
“Then he’s our kind.” It was that simple. There was no reason to make it more than it was.
“I see she takes the same view as you.” Matthew frowned as he stepped slightly in between us and Charlie. “I agree with Charlie, son. It’s strange having a vampire here with all these shifters.”
“We go to school with all kinds. Why should our home be any different?” Rage’s anger was evident in his tone. “You even like him.”
“I’m not saying we can’t like him, but to purposely hang out with each other all the time, it’s not natural.” Matthew sighed and glanced around. “We’re making a scene.” He shook his head and frowned at Charlie. “You should’ve known better than to start that right now.”
“You’re right.” Charlie nodded and relaxed his stance. “I’m sorry.”
“Is everything okay?” Audrey smiled as she glanced at the four of us. “We are behaving, right?”
“Of course, dear.” Matthew leaned over and kissed her cheek.
“Well, then, I’m going to steal Raven away.” She smacked Rage away from me and wrapped an arm around my neck. “It’s time for her to hang with some girls.”
It was nice to get away. I hadn’t expected Rage’s dad to think that way. “Should I be nervous?”
“No.” She leaned her head near mine. “Please don’t take Charlie and Matthew to heart. When we went to the academy, there was a small movement for all supernatural kinds to be separate, so that’s what’s been programmed in their heads. They like Cole, but it’s just them worrying about things not following the old ways.”
“It did surprise me.” These were my mate’s parents so I couldn’t lie. “But I could understand that a little better. Why don’t you feel that way?”
“Because growing up as a pup, my pack was allied to a vampire clan, so I was raised more liberally.” She gave me a sad smile. “Remember, you and your mate won’t always agree on things, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t meant for each other.”
Rage told me previously that his parents were chosen mates and not true. In this day and age, finding our other half wasn’t easy, considering the way all packs had become spread out. I couldn’t help but wonder if that wouldn’t happen between him and me. “Maybe.”
“You’ll see. Now, this won’t be pleasant, but you need to meet Charlie’s wife, Lola. It’s imperative that we acclimate you and your role since you and Rage are the future here.” We weaved through some people that murmured hello before she slowed to a group of ladies. Two appeared to be close to my age with what had to be their mother.
“Well … hello, Audrey.” The older lady’s dirty blonde hair hit just past her shoulders, and she stuck her pretentious nose in the air. “Who is this?”
“This is Raven, Rage’s mate.” Audrey smiled as she pulled me into her body. “This is Charlie’s wife and daughters.”
The two girls scanned me up and down before frowning. They were both pretty, don't get me wrong, but there was a sense of entitlement to their demeanor.
“Of course he’d pick someone outside of the pack.” The one who was a few years older rolled her hazel eyes and frowned. “He always tries to be different.”
That wasn’t it at all. “That’s not true, he always does what he thinks is right.”
“And how was him not asking me to be his mate right?” She flipped her hair over her shoulder and glared.
“Now, Brianna, behave.” Her mother glanced at me. “I’m sorry for my girls. Brianna had always hoped that Rage would be hers.”
“That’s funny because I didn’t realize I was someone’s property.” Rage’s raspy voice had an edge. He glared at both Brianna and Lola.
“That’s not how we meant it.” Lola straightened and took a deep breath.
“I heard the whole thing, and they totally did.” Cole stepped on the other side, squeezing in between Audrey and me. “It was like they were trying to pee on you even though Raven is your true mate.” His cold blue eyes filled with disgust.
“How in the world would you ever think that was possible?” Rage took a step toward Brianna and wrinkled his nose. “I purposely went out of my way to avoid you and not talk to you when I lived here. Did you think that would change?”
“Now, Rage, please stay calm.” His mom bit the bottom of her lip.
“Do you expect me to stay …”
“Listen to your mother.” Cole barked out a laugh, looking over these girls up and down. “Do you expect someone like him,” Cole said as he pointed to Rage, “would settle for some sorry ass that can’t even make it to the academy?”
“Let me make it clear.” I expected Rage’s pack to be better than this. It was like wherever I went, people disliked me instantaneously. It sucked for them. “He’s my true mate, so back the fuck off.”
“Now listen here …” Lola’s face flushed as she placed a hand on her chest.
“That’s enough.” Matthew stepped into the circle, and his nostrils flared. “What the hell is going on?”
“It seems Brianna isn’t happy that I have a mate.” Rage smirked and grabbed my hand.
“Brianna, we’ve talked about this.” Charlie’s eyes glowed as he stared at his daughter. “Wolf shifters celebrate when one of our kind finds a mate, especially a true mate.”
“But …” She placed a hand on her hip.
“I said that’s enough.” Matthew’s tone had the alpha power laced within it. “This is a time to celebrate, not to do this.”
“Let me take Raven around to meet the others, and then we’ll head back to our house.” Audrey weaved around Cole to get to me and tugged on my arm.
“Fine, but if anyone else starts anything, link me.” Rage was tense with his jaw clenched.
“Of course.” Audrey sighed as we left the group. “I’m sorry about that. Charlie’s family is a little high maintenance, but I hadn’t expected that. Had I known, we wouldn’t have gone over without Matthew and Rage.”