Page 96 of Trick Knot Treat

We all stare at Grandma as her hopefulness disappears, and she grows taller.

“You are bonding and…? Oh, come on!” she shouts and stamps her foot. “What’s the problem?”

“Our parents,” Clint says.

“She’s not staying,” Jace says almost at the same time.

“Felix is only in for her,” Zaire says in a low growl.

“Zaire only cares about her,” Felix says.

Grandma’s eyes are huge as she looks around at us. The silence in the room gets uncomfortable, but it’s building. She finally explodes.

“Are you insane? Have you all lost your minds?” she snarls as she paces back and forth in front of us.

“Ouch, Grandma, tell us how you really feel.”

Grandma pouts, throws herself into the nearest chair, and lets out a savage alpha growl. “You all have feelings for each other; it's clear to see. I suggest you open your eyes. You-” she turns on Clint. “I suggest you go and have a conversation with your parents. And put them in their place. No ifs, ors, buts, or ands. Just tell them to take a long walk off a short pier.”

“Sure, sounds like fun. I’ll get right on that.”

She finally turns to me. “Why?”

“What?”

“Why are you going back? Why would you walk away from this? Don’t you know that this doesn’t happen every day, that this is your one chance?”

I stare at the old alpha, trying to think of how to explain the agony that I am in. “Alpha,” I say respectfully, “I made a promise that I would go home. I can’t hurt the people who are waiting for me, even if I do want to stay more than anything else.”

The words fall heavily, and the air charges, getting heavy.

“This is your scent-matched pack, though.”

I bob my head, desperately unhappy. “That’s why I can’t choose. I won’t, I have been honest about the fact that I’m leaving.”

Grandma’s expression transforms, and she sniffles.

I feel really horrible, absolute guilt, right up until I see her peeking at me.

“You’re faking it!” I accuse.

“Khione!” Felix murmurs. “Don’t play into her games.”

Grandma throws her head back and laughs. “Fine, fine. It was worth a shot. I want my babies to be happy. All I ask is that you consider staying and changing your life path. I know you have people who love you, but no one will love you the way your pack will.” She pauses, then claps her hands, startling everyone. “Now, Clint, can you work a microwave?”

“How dare you! Of course, I can work a microwave.”

“Let me do it,” Jace says.

Clint pouts. “I can work it. I know I can.”

“Of course, you can, baby, but you look far too cute, I don’t want you to get dirty trying to get away from the gulls,” Jace purrs.

“I know that you’re mocking me, but I’m going to take your adorable words and go look pretty,” Clint says and flutters his lashes.

Jace snorts and warms up the pudding. He dishes it up, and we all sit at the table eating. I have to admit, Grandma’s cooking is a whole reason to stay in Sunshine Cove. I am in love. With moans of appreciation, I shove more and more in, and when Clint reaches for my bowl, I growl at him.

He smiles lazily. “Baby.”