Magical Midlife Battle （Leveling Up, #8）(37)

“Did you crap your pants like your mom and sister did?” Kingsley asked.

“Nope.” Mac stood and came around the couch to the island, placing his phone down before he sat.

“Put it away,” Kingsley warned.

Mac rolled his eyes, but he grabbed up the phone again and stuffed it into his pocket. “When her magic kicked off, I just enjoyed the ride. It was a rush. I liked the feel of it. It’s spicy, kinda, don’t you think?” He was met with blank stares. “Well, it’s cool, at any rate.” He looked around the empty counters. “No snacks?”

“Mom got distracted by Grandma Mimi,” Kingsley answered.

Mimi walked into the kitchen a moment later, catching Mac digging into a bag of chips.

“You’re going to spoil your dinner!” she accused him.

He tilted the opening of the bag her way, and she reached in to grab a few for herself.

“Speaking of dinner,” Austin ventured. “Is that something we might start preparing, or are we hoping this night will last forever?”

“Mac, go get your mom and Granny,” Kingsley said. “I think the introductions are about done.”

Mac grinned, dropping the bag onto the counter and walking from the kitchen.

“Where’s Jessie?” Mimi asked with a crease in her brow. “You didn’t chase her away, did you?”

“She’s outside with that enormous gargoyle,” Kingsley said, then looked at Austin. “Where do you find these creatures…”

“Yeah, he’s something, isn’t he?” Austin replied. “Just wait until you see his other form.”

“Okay.” Earnessa came bustling in like nothing had happened. She tapped the counter in front of Austin and looked around the kitchen, ignoring Mimi. “Where’s Jessie?”

Austin’s mom walked in gracefully a moment later, her gaze lingering on Austin for a moment before shifting behind the island. Kingsley grinned at Austin, both of them knowing their mom was thinking about the potentially dangerous mate Austin had found. She wouldn’t be wondering if Jess could handle him anymore.

The patio door opened and Jess stepped back in, her face a little flushed from the cold and a large shape behind her disappearing into the night.

“All good?” Austin asked her, standing again as Mac re-entered.

“Mostly,” Jess said, her hand at her side. A large tear ran the length of her dress, from just under the side of her breast to her hip. “I need some clothespins or something. I nearly shifted earlier, and the dress couldn’t handle it.”

“Oh my—here, come with me.” Earnessa held a hand out. “We can find you something to wear.

You’re about my size.”

“I might need some socks for my bra to fit into your clothes,” Jess said, giving Austin a funny look as she passed him.

“Let’s head out.” Kingsley stood and grabbed his glass. “They probably won’t be long changing.”

“Aurora?” Austin asked.

“Will keep to her room and get leftovers if there are any,” Mimi replied with a slightly raised chin. “She’s lost the privilege of our company.”

“It was my fault as much as anyone’s,” Austin replied. “She’s angry with me. She has every right to be.”

“An alpha can have many emotions,” his mom said, “but she must be conscious about when to show them. She knows this. It was a grave slip in her control, and she needs to reflect.”

“The women have spoken. C’mon, Austin, Mac…” Kingsley jerked his head toward the back door, this one leading to the sunroom. “Let’s get things underway while they fuss about fridge holes and borrowed clothes.”

“Why me?” Mac asked, pausing in reaching for the chips again.

“Because you’re a man.” Kingsley followed that up by beating on his chest.

“That answer has zero relevance—”

“Just go with your father,” Mimi interrupted. “Give us a moment away from your whining.”

“Maybe I should challenge Uncle Auzzie so I can go to my room, too,” Mac grumbled, trudging after Austin and Kingsley.

“Don’t even joke about that,” Austin’s mom warned.

“Why?” Mimi replied. “He’s never going to be an alpha.”

“Don’t you start,” Mom told Mimi. “We’ve had enough arguing for one day. Go get a book if you need to—”

Kingsley closed the door behind Mac, cutting out the sound from the kitchen. He paused with a weary sigh.

“Did you miss all the bickering, Uncle Auzzie?” Mac asked, perusing the long table set up with all sort of ingredients. He grabbed a piece of what looked like sausage and popped it into his mouth.

“Dinners are always like this now. That, or everyone pretends to be social and the conversation is awkward and forced. It’s a real hoot.”

“No one asked you,” Kingsley said, walking over to the table with Austin to check everything

over.

A plethora of shredded cheeses were identified with little signs. Chopped veggies, also labeled, lined one side of the table, and cut meats covered the middle. A couple of different fruits, including pineapple, had been arranged at the end.