Phoenix Reborn (Alpha Pack, #7.5)(21)

“Yeah, son. I get it,” Lucius replied sadly. “I deserve that after what I put you through.”

“I am not your son, Lucius. I stopped being your kid a long time ago. You can go to hell.”

With that, Nix dragged his mate to the SUV and quickly shoved him inside. He barely registered Noah’s snarl of protest, or that he’d lost his ice cream as well. The only thing that mattered was getting them both the f*ck away from his father.

Putting the SUV in reverse, he squealed out of the parking space, narrowly missing a car behind him. He threw on his brakes to let it go around him, then threw the vehicle in drive and raced away.

“Nix, slow down!” His mate’s eyes were wide and he was gripping the oh-shit handle as if his life depended on it.

“Sorry.” He slowed his speed and glanced in the rearview mirror. His father’s retreating figure was hunched just before it disappeared around a corner down the street.

“I think he meant what he said.” Noah’s voice was quiet.

“Is that a new ability you’ve developed or something?” he snapped. “Reading people’s minds?”

“No,” his mate replied, looking hurt. “I just don’t have the history with him you do. I’m not as biased. He seemed sincere, that’s all.”

“If he was, that would be a first.”

His father had never possessed a nice bone in his body. Found God? Not likely. And yet, people could change, and did every day.

Not this man. Not Lucius.

“I’m sorry I ruined our afternoon,” he told Noah.

“You didn’t.” But his tone said differently.

“And I apologize for biting your head off. I’m so sorry.” Reaching out, he curled his hand around Noah’s.

That earned him a small smile. “It’s fine, no worries.”

His mind eased some. Maybe he could salvage the rest of this day after all.

*

Leaning against a store front, Jinn watched the little family drama unfold.

Fascinating. Seemed Nix’s father really had turned over a new leaf—and the bitch of the whole thing was, Jinn’s abilities said the man was actually telling the truth.

You had to love irony.

Smiling to himself, Jinn turned and followed the dejected older man down the sidewalk at a discreet distance.

Seemed that the way to grab Nix’s little Halfling had just fallen right into his hands.

And then all he had to do was wait.

*

Noah was a bundle of nerves.

After their wonderful lunch date a couple of days earlier had ended in disaster, he wasn’t sure if he was ready for today. But he’d enjoyed himself so far, especially being out with Nix at their first real social event with the gang. It seemed Nix had been having fun, too, even if he wasn’t being quite himself. There were few touches from his mate, and it hurt, even if he understood.

Everyone was there, even the commander’s brother-in-law, the vampire prince Tarron Romanoff, and many of Tarron’s men. The Alpha Pack really knew how to throw a barbeque.

But the clock was ticking, the fun and games just beginning to wind down. Beer had been flowing copiously, burgers and hot dogs devoured with blinding speed. Several rounds of football and volleyball had been won and lost. It was time for Noah to show his stuff—or chicken out and wait for the next party.

“No,” he muttered, steeling his resolve. “Time to make my mate proud.”

Noah gave Blue and Kalen a nod for the go-ahead, and Blue strode to the middle of the playing field, spreading his wings to their full glory and holding up a hand for silence. He made such a spectacle, he had no problem gaining everyone’s undivided attention.

“Everyone, listen up! We have a special demonstration today, and I’m proud to say that Kalen and I have been able to be a part of it. Our own Noah Brooks, nurse extraordinaire, is going to demonstrate talents the depth of which even he didn’t know about until recently. Noah?”

Leaving the field, Blue gestured to Kalen, who got into the driver’s seat of one of the Pack’s SUVs and drove it onto the field. He parked the vehicle in the spot where Blue had been standing, much to the curiosity of all present. Noah had been practicing on a heavy piece of gym equipment, but the SUV would be much more impressive.

Beside Noah, Nix whispered, “Baby, what are you doing?”

He smiled at his mate. “Remember that surprise I wanted to show you? This is it. I’m making you proud.”

“But you always do that. You don’t need to do whatever this is to impress me.” He looked uncertain, worried.

Did he not believe Noah could achieve whatever he was about to do? He tamped down the negative feeling and strode onto the field. Stopping about six feet from the front bumper, he waited until Kalen got out and walked away.

“We’re not helping him, by the way,” Kalen called to the crowd. “This is all Noah.”

Glancing around at his friends’ faces, Noah could see that some were amused, some intrigued. But all were his captive audience, so he turned to face the SUV, lifted his hands, palms up, and began.

Opening the conduit to his inner Fae energy just like Blue and Kalen had taught him, Noah let the current flow through him. Allowed it to gather and grow, coalescing into a ball of light that formed in his hands. He heard the crowd gasp, and was encouraged. He could do this. Finally, he’d fit in. He’d be someone to respect, worthy of his strong mate and all the other fantastic creatures he shared his world with now.