Crossbred Son by Brenna Lyons

wasn’t a situation she was accustomed to. She’d always avoided these types of events.
    Whatever this type of event is.
    Zondra spoke up first. “We are so sorry for your loss.”
    “Loss?” What in the world was she talking about?
    She motioned to a stack of boxes and bags against the far wall. “We were told you lost almost everything in...in that deplorable attack.” Zondra reached across and covered Abby’s hand with her own. “I am so glad you and Michael weren’t there when it happened.”
    “So am I.” Abby glanced at the pile. “What is...?” She motioned up and down, at a loss to comprehend it.
    Miri spoke up. “It is our way to send gifts when a new mate joins an ally’s nest...and when a new young one does.”
    “But we—”
    “You and Gabe are mates in the eyes of the Xxan, though the situation precludes formal mating. As such, we send gifts as allies of your nest.”
    Abby swallowed a lump of emotion and nodded. “Thank you.”
    Another woman inserted herself into the conversation. “And when an allied nest has need, we help. Whatever we can do to help. Not everything stacked there is new. We’ve collected old toys and clothes Michael might be able to use. Things like that.”
    Abby searched frantically for her name. Sarah? Stacie? Susan? Oh, it doesn’t matter. “Thank you.”
    There was a moment of silence between them.
    I should say something. Anything. “Do you get together often?” That was stupid. Why did I choose to ask that?
    Jana laughed. “Not nearly as often as we’d like to, I’m sure.”
    Zondra cut in again. “Mostly those of us with young ones of about the same age. My Siri is not much older than your Michael is. Perhaps we could have them play together.”
    “And my Lewis,” another woman added.
    Miri nodded. “Amanda is only a few months younger than the others.”
    “A play group,” Abby mused. “I’ve always wanted a play group for Michael, but...” She shrugged.
    Zondra made a noise that spoke of disgust. “I know. You would think Xxanian children had cooties.”
    The laugh bubbled up, and there was no stopping it. Tears leaked from Abby’s eyes as she laughed harder.
    “It’s good to hear you laughing again.” Jana smiled and wrapped a hand around Abby’s shoulders.
    Abby squeezed her tight. Is this home? Is this what I’ve been missing all these years? She suspected it was.
     
    ****
     
    “Abby,” Joy called out. “I understand you have a profitable little business.”
    Some of the happiness seeped out of Abby’s heart, and she sighed. “I did. I’m not sure I will have one for much longer.”
    Conversations on the other side of the ring stopped abruptly, and the women gaped at her.
    “It’s not this anti-Xxan thing, is it?” Stacie asked, seemingly incredulous.
    Abby motioned vaguely. “When accounts that were throwing more and more your way suddenly say they don’t need your services anymore...There’s really only one thing you can assume.”
    “Damned bigots,” she cursed. “I am so glad the Xxan aren’t that way.”
    “Some are,” Miri stated.
    From the way Zondra hugged her sister-in-law, something told Abby there was a story there.
    “Well, you don’t need to worry about the accounts you lost,” Joy informed her.
    “Oh, I know I don’t need to work,” Abby replied. “I know Gabe and the nest are more than willing and capable of taking care of us, but my business was always my dream.”
    “And I’m not telling you to give up on that,” Joy offered patiently. “I’m telling you that you have other clients, if you want them.”
    Her meaning was crystal clear. “I can’t accept nepotism. Just because our nests are allies...That doesn’t mean it’s your duty to keep my business alive.”
    Joy laughed and pulled the messenger bag she’d been carrying into her lap. Without a word, she opened it and handed over a thick folder, passing it through Jana.
    Abby opened it and started flipping through the pages. It was