When I was dressed and had my boots back on, I joined Grandpa on the porch. He held out a glass of tea. “Okay, son. Want to unload on your old gramps?”
I chuckled and sipped the tea, which had a hint of oranges. Grandma’s special recipe. “Thanks.” I looked into his wise eyes and knew he’d help me figure out the best course, whatever that might’ve been. “You know I want to go to law school.”
He beamed. “And I’m so proud that you do. You’re going to be the best of us all, I can already tell.”
I ducked my head. “Thanks. There’s a problem, though.”
Grandpa’s brow furrowed. “What could it be? Your grades were exemplary. I thought you were already accepted to the school. Money isn’t a problem.”
“That’s just it. I was already accepted. To two schools.”
Recognition flew across his face. “Ah. Where is the second school?”
“California,” I muttered.
He winced. “We don’t have any family in California.”
“Please don’t take this the wrong way, but that’s part of the draw.” I said it as gently as I could, but his eyebrows still flew up. “No, it’s not bad. It’s just... I’ve never been alone. I’ve never had to do anything on my own. I went from it being just me, Mom and Hailey to this huge family, which is great.” I held up my hands because he still looked confused. “I love the family and wouldn’t trade them for the world.”
“But?”
“But it would be nice to have a little bit of independence. And maybe some privacy.”
Grandpa chuckled. “I’ve had those feelings before. When I lived with my father in Arizona. That’s why I moved to Black Claw, Maddox. And you’re an alpha. You’re going to have those emotions probably even stronger.”
“You left home,” I said. A weight lifted off my shoulders. He knew what I meant. He understood. It was such a relief just to share the things I’d been worried about with someone else.
“I did. And it was the right thing for me. Only time will tell if it’s right for you. But, Maddox, wherever you go, you have to make sure you have a place to shift. You have to have privacy and cover.”
I nodded. “I’ve considered that. And of course, it would be a huge factor in my decision. And the family. And now, Bethany.”
“Whatever you decide, we will support you. All of us will. We can visit you, and of course you know you’re always welcome here.” He smiled at me and shook his head. “I hate how much time I missed out on with you. We won’t miss any more, even if you’re living far away. We’ll figure it out. Maybe I’ll even let you kids teach me how to do that video chat stuff.”
It was my turn to shake my head. “That’ll be the day.”
“If it’s your dream to go to law school in California, we’ll find a way to make it happen. But if it’s a need for privacy and independence, then we simply need to set some ground rules for the family. You could even find a place a bit farther away during school if you opt to go here in Colorado.”
I nodded thoughtfully. “I’d considered that, too. Just telling everyone would feel like such a rejection. I haven’t wanted to come out and say sorry, guys, you’re too invasive for me.”
Grandpa shrugged. “It’s not a rejection. We’re a pushy, meddlesome bunch.” He leaned forward and whispered, “They get it from your grandmother.”
I burst out laughing. “I won’t tell her you said that, so you don’t get into a bunch of trouble.”
“Appreciate that, son.” He sighed and leaned back. “You can’t keep this to yourself. You need to confide in your parents. Your cousins. We can all help you figure out the best course and support you on your journey.”
“I will,” I promised. “Soon.”
We sat and continued to talk about the schools. I even told him about Bethany’s legal troubles with Tiffany. He was as sure as I was that they wouldn’t amount to much.
As the morning wore into the afternoon, my stomach growled, and my phone beeped at the same time. I checked it to find a text from Bethany. Picnic at the park with Tiffany, if you’re free.
“Gotta go,” I told Grandpa and jumped up. “I’m going to meet Bethany in the park.”
Grandpa chuckled. “Boy, you’ve got it bad.”
I knew what he was thinking, even if he didn’t project his thoughts. He thought I could never leave Bethany.
And he was probably right.
I used my preternatural speed to take me down the path from the manor to just beside town. The path came out by the drive-in where my Dad had nearly killed another dragon who came back later and tried to get revenge. He was dead now, of course. That tended to happen when someone messed with my family.
A few minutes later, I crossed the greenway and entered the park behind the town proper. Bethany already had a blanket spread out on the grass near the jungle gym.
“Hey,” I called.
She turned and gave me one of her thousand-watt smiles. She had the ability to melt every worry away with just one look and make me feel like nothing mattered but her. And when it boiled down to it, nothing mattered more, not really.
Tiffany ran up chattering excitedly.
She matters.
Artemis rarely expressed affection about anyone. Except for Bethany, of course, he’d wanted to claim her from moment one. He had developed feelings of affection and protection toward Tiffany in the couple of weeks we’d been around them.
Interesting.
“Maddox,” Tiffany squealed. She ran up to me and held her hands up. I swung her up in the air and let her fly a bit before catching her and holding her tight
