Redemption by Jambrea Jo Jones Page B

and they’d almost had a car full when more of the Masters’ tribe had insisted they should be there too. He was thankful his cousin Ev had come along as well. He really needed all the support he could get. He shouldn’t have been surprised by all the support, the pack always came through. They were family and he was just now really starting to see that. It sucked that it’d had taken him so long to figure out his place in it.
    The house didn’t look as scary as it had in the past. Before it had been dark and looming and now—it just looked like a house. Being mated to Grey had put a lot of things into perspective for him. He wasn’t an abomination and his family couldn’t hurt him anymore.
    He needed this confrontation on many levels so he could feel whole again. Russ, his alpha, led the way. Pete was choked up when he’d said he’d be coming too and that it was about time he put Pete’s parents in their place. That’s when it really clicked that he was in the place he needed to be.
    They didn’t have to come and he’d told them that. It was ultimately his fight, but he had a new family now and they would have none of it. He smiled when he remembered Ive yelling that she was his sister now and she’d damn well come if she wanted to, so she could beat some sense into the people who had almost kept Pete from Grey.
    Life had completely changed for him. He was no longer the loner. Grey would drag him to the pack dinners or they’d have a nice evening in with Dji and Ive. Pete loved those nights the best. Ive was a spitfire and kept Dji in line and Dji was stronger than ever, he smiled more now and joked around. It had taken a couple of months for everyone in the house to feel comfortable with Dji, but not for Pete. They’d bonded the first night Ive had demanded they come over for dinner.
    And Ive reminded Pete so much of his mate Grey. They shared a lot of mannerisms and would finish each other’s sentences. Dji and Pete would just look on in amusement when they shared tales of their own dysfunctional den. It made Pete happy, knowing that the Masters’ tribe was there for them all.
    Russ was the best leader a person could have. He was fair and had never looked at Pete differently because he loved a man. It really didn’t matter to Russ.
    It was time. Russ stood at the door and knocked. Grey reached for Pete’s hand, curled his fingers around Pete’s and squeezed, not letting go. And it wasn’t weird. Before, Pete would have snatched his hand away and been mortified of the public display, but no more. He was proud of his mate. He raised their hands and kissed Grey and, as luck would have it, that’s when the door opened.
    “Is your alpha here?” Russ’ voice was strong and clear.
    “Who are you and why’s the fag here?” Pete knew that voice.
    That was his own brother. It shouldn’t have hurt, but it did. Pete had to hold Grey back because he was straining against him.
    “He isn’t worth it, love.” Pete kissed his hand again and said nothing, letting Russ do the talking. A month ago he wouldn’t have been so confident and would have cowered behind people at the anger coming from Don, but no more.
    Russ bristled and Pete could feel the power roll over him. His brother, Don, whimpered. He was just happy that it wasn’t directed at him even though he still had the urge to shift and show his belly.
    “I asked for your alpha. Get him. Now. ”
    Don scrambled back and left the door open. Russ walked in and the group followed. Any confidence he had left him as he walked through the door. Grey stroked Pete’s back and it was keeping him calm. He was about to hyperventilate—too many bad memories in the place. Pete could remember the beating he’d got by the stairs leading to the second floor. He’d been thankful he’d reached the bottom before his dad and brother had cornered him. That was right before they’d kicked him out, hoping he’d die.
    There was a time Pete had hoped for that as well,