Magical Midlife Battle （Leveling Up, #8）(113)

“That we stay out of each other’s way and try not to talk to each other. My relationship with Jessie is much different.”

Aurora gave Mac a look.

“ Mom is going to be livid that Auntie Jessie is Grandma Mimi’s favorite,” he whispered with a grin.

“If you value your life and my sanity, do not tell your mother,” Kingsley replied as Jess came back in, a little out of breath from hurrying and dressed in jeans and a T-shirt.

“Sorry. Who wants a drink? Anyone?” Jess asked. “I think we have some snacks, too.”

“Yeah, I’ll take a beer,” Kingsley said.

“Water for me, Jessie.” Mimi stood. “Here, I’ll help you.”

“Kids, go help them.” Kingsley gestured them on.

“I think they can handle—”

Aurora knocked Mac on the side of the head. “That means he wants a second alone with Uncle Auzzie, idiot.”

“Why are you so violent?” Mac rubbed his head as he stood.

“Because I’m a shifter?”

“That doesn’t explain it.”

Aurora gave Austin a sideways glance as she passed. Her gaze was calm but with a little sparkle, like back when she was a kid. Inviting, not hostile. The animosity from the other night was entirely absent.

His heart swelled, hopeful. He hadn’t had a chance to seek her out, what with everything that had been going on. He also didn’t know if she wanted him to. But this gave him hope that maybe he hadn’t messed up so badly that he’d lost his buddy forever. He badly wanted to make things right between them. With all of his family.

“Before we get into the other stuff…” Kingsley pulled his ankle from his knee and leaned forward a little. “I want to apologize. I’ve had my current hierarchy in place for some time, as you remember.

They have their issues, but for the most part, they are loyal and they do their jobs.”

“I know.”

“I knew there was still animosity between them and you. I’m ashamed to say I turned a blind eye to it. But your mate said something that…hit home.”

Austin wondered what Jess had said, and when. She hadn’t mentioned it.

“I should’ve cleared this up with them before you came here,” Kingsley went on. “Given I didn’t, I should’ve stepped in after your arrival. And I never, ever should’ve given them enough room to attack your mate. Please believe I had no idea they planned to go to such extremes. I thought they might challenge you, but I wasn’t worried because I knew you’d be fine. I didn’t…”

“I know,” Austin told him again. “We talked about this, remember? You gave me leave to handle it.”

Kingsley shook his head, leaning back again. “Handle it by answering their challenge.”

“I did answer their challenge. Jess and I both did.”

Kingsley ran his fingers through his hair, more expressive than he usually was, even with family.

Something had really been troubling him.

“I haven’t been much of a big brother,” he finally said. “After…our challenge way back when, I shouldn’t have left you to find your own way. I didn’t shield you from the other members of the pack or from Mom’s fears about your becoming like Dad. You were forced to learn how to survive long before you left this pack. I understand why you had to leave like you did. I apologize for the part that I played.”

Austin stared at his brother, no idea what to say. Heaviness lodged in his chest, and it felt like he was trying to swallow a golf ball.

“Kingsley, I—”

Kingsley held up his hand. “Let’s just leave it at that.”

“No,” Austin replied. “You’re out of your mind if you think I’ll let you take blame. You should’ve thrown me out on my ass after our challenge. Your patience and willingness to teach and guide me even after what I did to you and your family… You went above and beyond. I take full responsibility

for everything that happened in the past. You were there for me more than you can possibly comprehend.” Now it was his turn to run his fingers through his hair. “You’ve made me the alpha I am today. I owe you everything.”

Kingsley stared at his knees for a while. “I appreciate your saying that.”

“Now we can leave it at that, because I’m not fond of gushing.”

Kingsley smiled a little but sobered quickly. “Mom, though… She—”

“Nah. It’s fine. Leave it, seriously.” Austin leaned back and got comfortable. “We talked, she and I. She’s got her reasons for questioning me, and I understand that. I found my balance, though. I found a mate who pulls me back from the brink.”

“Bullshit,” Kingsley said softly, shaking his head. “I saw the camera footage from that bar. She didn’t pull you anywhere—she just cleaned up after you.”

“Well…in that instance…yeah. I would’ve stayed a little more in control if she hadn’t been there, honestly, but she insisted on coming. I felt like I could go a little crazy as long as I didn’t outright kill anyone.”

“It was your right to kill them, though I’m glad you didn’t. Mostly didn’t, anyway.”

“I know. They are your top people. I gave Brochan license to deal with Bruce as he saw fit, because that waste of a shifter had earned his punishment a couple of times over.”