Page 64 of Wanderer

The doorbell rang, with Oscar on the other side of the door. He didn’t wait for me to answer, just walked in. Greyhaven residents didn’t really lock their doors. I still did it out of habit sometimes, but had unlocked it when I’d started breakfast.

“Hey, Oscar,” I called. “Gareth’s running late.”

“Uncle Oscar, hi! We’re going on a trip!”

Ah, so he hadn’t forgotten after seeing my true form.

Oscar crouched to speak to my son. He loved being called uncle. “That’s amazing! You are so lucky, Cor!”

They hugged as Gareth exited our bedroom and picked up his coat from the entryway. He came over and kissed me quickly before ruffling Corbin’s hair. “See you later? No magic lessons today.” My mate and Riku were in charge of his magic lessons. His seizures were gone thanks to the work he was doing with them and the magic he was giving to the wards.

Tonight, they were taking the night off. We had dinner booked for just us. Oscar was on babysitting duty.

“Yeah. Have a good day.”

They were halfway out the door when Corbin called, “Bye Baba, bye Uncle Oscar.”

Gareth stumbled a bit, looked around, and nearly walked into the doorframe, but I’d never seen him happier. He was going to ride that high all damn day.

“We better get a move on too. Want me to shift today?” Corbin liked me to walk in animal form alongside him. I’d been a bear, a tiger, and in my German Shepherd form. The kids at school loved it.

“Can you be a pony today? I’m tired and don’t want to walk.”

“Are you okay?” I felt his forehead. He seemed normal. Just a little pale, likely because we’d been up early to cook. He wasn’t always sleeping through because of nightmares and bedwetting. All things that would pass with a lot of love and safety. “Sure thing, little man.”

When we got outside, I shifted into a Shetland pony so Corbin could climb on easily. He held my mane all the way to school. We were a big hit when we arrived. All the children from his class were late inside because I had to let them have a ride around the playground.

Gareth

“Are you sure you’re okay babysitting?”

“Relax, Gar, I’m going to have a great night with my little dude. We’re going to get pizza delivered and watch a movie,” Oscar said with an edge of excitement. I worried after his last relationship blew up and he had to leave his coven that he would be down on such a romantic holiday, but he really didn’t seem bothered. He genuinely seemed to want to spend it with our son.

Son. The word was on repeat in my mind. It had been ever since I’d first laid eyes on him and realized who he was to Riley. He was utterly perfect. A piece of my mate and also half warlock. His magic was easy to sense. He could be powerful with training. At the moment, his power was overwhelming for his tiny system, but as he grew, it would be easier for him to handle. He had me here to guide him.

Oscar went ahead of me into the house I shared with Riley and Corbin. Before Riley arrived in my life, the house had been lonely. Now it was full of life and joy. My favorite time of day was coming home to my family.

I greeted Cor with a hug and Riley with a kiss. Riley was helping Corbin with a painting. “I’m painting us for the fridge!” Cor said proudly, puffing out his chest. There was something off about him. A lack of his usual energy. I felt his forehead. It was fine, so I dismissed it.

“Just going to get ready for dinner. Do you need me to do anything?” I asked Riley.

“Nah, I just need to change my shirt. Oh, I’ve ordered their pizza. It’ll be here soon.”

I was just leaving the bedroom, ready for dinner, when the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it,” Corbin yelled as he sprinted for the door. He struggled to open it, so I helped him and handed Rayna her tip as she gave me the box. All her attention was on our little boy. “Can I touch your wings?” He had been working up the courage to ask her.

“Of course! Maybe one day I can take you flying.” Rayna caught my expression. “Not high, of course! Plus, you could be a bird, couldn’t you?” I winced. We knew Corbin had a few forms, but none of them had flight so far. “Anyway, I’d better get going. Lots of deliveries to do, and of course Keifer is nowhere to be found. Bye!”

Corbin said nothing about flying, which had alarm bells ringing. He just followed me into the kitchen and sat in his chair.

“We better get going if we’re going to make that reservation.” Riley looked gorgeous in an emerald‑green shirt under a black waistcoat. We were matched in height, but his legs looked so long in his black tailored pants. He hugged Oscar, and kissed Corbin on the head before taking my hand and towing me to the door. “Have a good night! See you in a couple of hours.”

The restaurant was busy. This early table was the only one they had free. While Riley could leave Greyhaven now, he hadn’t wanted to go to another town for dinner with Corbin at home. Both of us preferred to be close by in case he needed us, especially since this was our first date night after taking him home.

“Did Cor seem off to you at all?” I asked him over our main course. The worry had been at the back of my mind all day. I just couldn’t ignore it anymore.

“A little.” Riley laughed. “Look at us. Barely parents and already this is all we talk about. Are you sure this is what you want?”

Alarmed, I asked, “What do you mean?”