“Good catch,” Derick said, patting Jupiter on the shoulder and grimacing as he glanced at the outfit. “I think maybe Isley could do with a drink, to survive the evening.”
Isley gawped at the wink Derick aimed at him before walking off in the direction of the dining room.
Lane pulled Isley with him. “That’s a good idea.”
“Where are you going?” Laken said behind him.
Isley glanced back to see that he was talking to Jupiter, placing a hand on his shoulder and shaking his head. “You aren’t joining us.”
“Behave,” Lane called out, not stopping and forcing Isley to keep going or trip over.
“See, I am.” Isley could hear the amusement and didn’t need to see that Jupiter was smirking as he shot Laken down. “I’m starving. What are we having, Popi?”
In the dining room, they were joined by Frey and Booker, along with Kodi who spent more time staring at the table and pushing the delicious food around his plate than eating it. The big table was laden with dishes, and it was more of a free for all, which Isley was used to and helped relax him.
It turned out that Laken’s family were pretty much like his own, and he said so. “This is like being at home on Sunday with my family. I’m going to speak to my family later about Laken coming for dinner. Would you like to join us?” Isley directed at Lane. “Meet my parents.”
A sudden silence followed. Not even Emmy made a sound, which got Isley looking around the table, his brows drawingtogether at finding every pair of eyes on him. He saw surprise from Derick and joy in the wide smile Lane gave him.
Jupiter wore a guarded look, his smile not reaching his eyes. Whereas Kodi appeared ready to leap up and fight someone. Isley’s gaze lingered on Laken, whose lips parted for what felt like long seconds. He started to reconsider ways to take back the offer
“Thank you,” Laken finally uttered in a hoarse voice, “that would be lovely.”
“We’d like that,” Derick added, offering a reassuring smile that looked more than a little scary to Isley, who hadn’t seen him smile that often, if at all. “Just let us know which day and when, and we’ll ensure we’re free.”
Under the table, Laken laid a hand on Isley’s knee, a gentle press that reassured Isley he’d done the right thing.
“Do you have brothers and sisters?” Booker asked around a mouthful of roast beef, breaking a little of the tension Isley felt.
“Three brothers. I’m the youngest. Somme is the eldest, Laken’s already met him. Then Audrius followed by Malden. They are both mated and married. I have one niece and one nephew.”
“Can you all shift?” Jupiter asked, eyes showing interest.
“No, Somme and Malden can’t, and neither can Dad,” Isley explained, hoping that if Jupiter was worried about anyone shaming Laken for not being able to shift, his answer would allay those fears. “To my family, it’s normal and not something that is or ever would be an issue. Malden’s wife can shift. Their daughter is too young to say if she will.”
Jupiter met Laken’s stare and something passed between them. “Laken’s a very lucky man to have you and a welcoming family.”
Lane sniffed in a way that said the glazed eyes were because of tears. “He is.”
“Wait for it,” Booker muttered to no one in particular and got a scowl from Frey.
“Do you think a mating is on the cards for you, Isley?”
Lane’s question landed, and Laken’s hand on his thigh jerked. “Popi!”
“What?” He cast an innocent look at everyone with an abashed grin. “It's natural to be inquisitive about such things.”
“Save us all from an interfering Popi!” Laken exclaimed under his breath, giving Derick a beseeching glance. “Dad, help!”.
Derick’s powerful shoulders shrugged, and his lips twitched at the corners. “My love, stopbeing inquisitive. You’ll make Isley feel uncomfortable with all your prying.”
Laken was tense beside him, and Isley wasn’t sure what to say, so went with the truth. “My animal side already has scent marked Laken. So for us, Laken is ours in every sense.”
The piece of carrot Booker had popped into his mouth fired out and landed in the middle of the table.
Jupiter and Kodi groaned in unison.
“Not sure that is helping,” Laken complained, staring at Isley in a way that made it hard to assess whether he’d pissed him off or not.