Dannika Dark - Six Months

We got out of the car and I stuffed my hands in my coat pockets as the chilly wind blew from behind me. I began to wonder if something was wrong because the lights were out inside the house. I hoped it meant a candlelight dinner and not that someone forgot to pay the bill. He held my hand tightly as we walked up the porch steps and took a slow stroll to the door.

When it clicked open, Reno filled the empty space and then closed the door behind him. Trevor backed up when Reno folded his arms, and I feared he might turn around and run to the car.

Then a smile curved up Reno’s cheek and he winked at me. “Good to see you, Trevor.”

They nodded at each another the way men often do and Reno’s brows stitched together. “Well, let’s get this over with.”

On that note, I officially began to get nervous. Reno had promised me he’d be on his best behavior, but this was already kicking off to a cold start.

Which speaking of, a bluster of wind rattled the trees and spun some of my hair around. I moved my long bangs away from my face and tucked them behind my ear. Reno reached forward and touched a long strand. “I’m glad you grew it out. You look beautiful.”

I bit my lip because my smile was borderline comical, and Trevor looked down at me and huffed. “Well, I like platinum. Just so you know.”

I lifted my shoulder. “Always good to try something new.”

“Get inside. Dinner’s getting cold,” Reno ordered. He opened the door, allowing us to walk past him. I walked in ahead of Trevor and wondered why Reno was suppressing a grin.

“Why are the lights off?”

Trevor bumped into me as I stood in the center of the room. Not even the tree was lit.

“Surprise!” The light flipped on and my heart stammered in my chest.

Everyone in the pack surrounded us, but that wasn’t the surprising part.

It was the banners hanging everywhere with wolves on them.

Denver leaned over and flipped on the stereo, which was to our right in the living room. A Diana Ross song came on—“I’m Coming Out.”

“Oh. My. God,” I said, whispered, or exclaimed. I couldn’t be sure which because the sound of disco music filled my ears as I looked at all the banners.

Maizy was sitting beneath the Christmas tree to the right of the stairs, holding a stuffed wolf.

As the music thumped against the floorboards, Trevor backed up. The door closed behind us and Reno blocked it.

“Trevor, I think it’s about time we had a talk,” Austin began. “I think we all know what’s up. Some of the guys had an idea to throw a party and damn, I don’t know if they’re just crazy or stupid. But we’re here to support you and let you know that we… I want to extend an invitation to you to join our pack.”

Trevor’s hand began to sweat and he let go. I gripped his jacket in case he got the bright idea of knocking Reno down and bolting out the door.

Austin approached in his jeans and white T-shirt. Lexi and Ivy were sitting on the stairs, Lynn peered in from the dining room, and the rest of the guys were sprinkled all about. Denver danced chaotically to the music and Maizy was giggling at him.

“What the hell is this?” Trevor said sharply.

“It’s a coming-out party!” Maizy exclaimed.

Austin stepped forward and lowered his chin, giving off a strong vibe in the room of his authority. “It’s an invitation. We’re Shifter wolves and I’m the Packmaster of the Weston Pack. So far, it’s just my brothers and Lexi’s family, but we need some new blood. I’ve been keeping an eye out for candidates, and I can’t think of a better choice. You’ve protected April as long as you’ve known her, shown loyalty and other qualities that I look for. I don’t know why you’re skittish about letting people know what you are, but to each his own. As you can see, this is a bit of a nonconventional pack. We have humans, but I’ve never believed in following all the rules in life. Family is family, and it’s not about whether or not you fit the mold.”

Austin dropped his hand on Trevor’s shoulder and gave him a serious look, albeit difficult with Diana Ross shouting out. “You took a bullet for my brother. And maybe you don’t give a shit about him, but you did it for April. That’s loyalty. That’s love. That’s the kind of man I want in my pack. They’re not all total dickheads,” he said, his gaze skating around the room.

“Except maybe that one.” Jericho pointed his thumb at Denver, who was bent over and gyrating his butt in circles.

Thank God they didn’t put the wolves on rainbow banners . I couldn’t read Trevor’s expression. He looked like a ghost dressed in black.

He folded his arms and engaged in a staring match with Austin, not something you really want to do with a Packmaster. “Just so you know, I’m gay. So you can turn the disco off.”

Denver whirled around and they all looked at one another.

Trevor laughed and wrapped his arm around me. “I also have no intention of shifting around you. So maybe you need a second to change your mind. Let’s have dinner and forget this ever happened.”

Austin stepped forward and jerked his head to the right, signaling to Reno. A hand gripped my arm and Reno pulled me to the side.

“Hey, what are you doing?” I protested.

Trevor and Austin were nose to nose. “Look, I don’t need to rethink a decision I’ve already made. Gay? Fine. You want to hide your wolf? Not so fine. You know the rule. Your wolf has to be introduced to everyone in the pack before coming in. If something happens down the line and we shift to defend our pack, I don’t need you turning on anyone in this room because your wolf doesn’t know them. After that, if you want to stay in hiding, that’s your choice. But we’re not ashamed of what we are in this family, and we don’t hide. It doesn’t mean our wolves run with each other, and some of them are…”

“ Loco is the word you’re searching for,” Jericho blurted out, staring at Denver.

“Shut it,” Denver said with a snap of his fingers.

Austin cupped the side of Trevor’s neck. “I don’t have to know you for ten years to trust you. I’ve seen what I need to see. This is a chance for you to be part of a family—a brotherhood. You’ll have April to keep an eye on, and I’m always looking for input on new members. We need a strong pack, and I’m laying the offer down in front of you. So make a decision. We’re not having dinner for you to go back home, think it over, and pussy out.” He dropped his hand and quirked a smile. “You in?”

Trevor clenched his jaw and glanced sideways at me. Reno had his arms wrapped around me from behind and I looked at Trevor pleadingly. The idea of having him in the house to be a part of my family elated me. I mouthed please .

“On one condition,” Trevor began. “I don’t listen to disco. I don’t deal with jokes about my lifestyle. I don’t think I need to explain why I’ve left Shifter life behind. I never had a problem with being a Shifter until my pack abused me on a daily basis.”

“What the hell for?” Denver said in low, threatening words.

“Maizy, come help Mommy set the table,” Lynn said.

Maizy set her stuffed wolf down and skipped into the kitchen.

Trevor looked between everyone in the room. “Before I went through the change as a Shifter, I knew who I was. Somehow, so did everyone else. I wasn’t open with it, but let’s just say they made my life a living hell. You know how Shifters feel about being all hetero and continuing the Breed by having more kids. I don’t take shit for it no more. You can stand there and tell me you’re cool with it, but if one person in this house roughs me up…”

“Then we’ll fucking put him out,” Reno said from behind. Everyone glanced in our direction and Reno stepped around me. “We’re brothers. You come into this pack, and you’re our brother. Anyone here got a problem with this?”