Skaydal - Hybrid's Omega

15

Josiah

I watched as Gavin carefully placed the steaks onto the grill. It was oddly satisfying to see him enjoy the grill I had purchased. Kathy and Amani were happily talking as Gavin and I stood by the grill.

“What are your intentions?” he suddenly questioned, and I frowned. Did he truly expect me to have all of the answers?

“The only intention I have right now is Amani’s happiness,” I said slowly as I kept my eyes on him. I wasn’t sure if that was the right answer, but I wasn’t going to lie. “It may sound cheesy or whatever, but that’s the truth,”

“It doesn’t sound cheesy, and it honestly makes me feel like you have my daughter’s happiness in mind,” he said as he placed the last steak on the grill.

“Of course, I do,” I argued. “Why wouldn’t I want my mate to be happy?”

“Honestly, Josiah…you have to understand that you came into Skaydal and threatened our Alpha and Luna…you have to realize that doesn’t make you look good,”

“No, look, I get it. I really do, but can no one understand that everyone makes mistakes?” I don’t actually expect him to answer, but when he does, I am surprised by his words of wisdom.

“Of course, we all make mistakes and we do understand your history. I have a feeling that I would have done something similar,” his confession made me smile in relief. “And it isn’t that we don’t like you or anything like that,”

“But I am not good enough for her?” I asked curiously.

“I wouldn’t even say that, Josiah,” he admitted, and my eyes went wide in surprise. “While I don’t know you well enough to say that you are bad for Amani…I know that you are well respected in the pack and that says a lot,”

“Tell me your fears,” I encouraged him because, honestly, at this point, I wanted to hear the truth. Gavin sighed loudly as he glanced over at his wife and daughter.

“I’m worried that she’ll get swept up in who you are and forget about all the things she wants in her life. She went to college because she was determined to make a difference and…I just don’t want to see her give that up just because she found her mate,”

“And you think I would stop her from living her dream?” I asked, as I frowned.

“No, not you necessarily, but I know my daughter. She will want to spend more and more time with you and I’m worried that she’ll neglect her dreams,” Gavin then turned his attention back to the steaks and I took a moment to think about his worries. He had every right and it merely confirmed that this wasn’t so much about me.

“I want you to understand something,” I started as I stepped closer. “I never had a dream,” I revealed truthfully. “I was raised to be a killer. I was raised to be controlled. I didn’t have a normal, happy childhood…and then I spent the majority of my life in prison. Even then, I never dared to dream,” Gavin threw me a look filled with pity and I shook my head at him. “When I look at Amani…I want to dare to dream,” Gavin doesn’t respond right away, so I hurriedly continued. “I want a future with her. I want us to be together…living right here in Skaydal. I want her to pursue her dreams, whatever they may be, and while she does that…I want to find out what my future holds. What do I want to do with my time? Of course, I would love to have children…but I don’t even know what that means,”

“What?”

“Think about it. Think about what I just told you. I didn’t have a childhood. I didn’t have parents that loved me and showered me with affection. I don’t know about any of that. What type of father do I want to be? Of course, I want to be loving, affectionate, and encouraging. Will I be that type of father? I hope so,”

“I see you have some of your own demons to work out,” he remarked, and I immediately nodded.

“Exactly. So, this is all new for me too, Gavin. I’ve never dated or anything like that. I have no idea what I am doing but…I want her to be happy and that means I listen when she talks to me,” I don’t mean to rub it in his face, but if the shoe fits.

“You make a good point,” Gavin agreed as he flipped the steaks before he looked over at me. “And I’ll be honest with you, Josiah. It does make me feel better knowing that you want her to be happy,”

“Of course, I do, what type of person do you think I am?” It isn’t a question meant to be answered and he doesn’t, for which I am rather grateful. Amani and Kathy wandered over to us and Gavin immediately wrapped his arm around his wife’s waist to pull her close. I am tempted to do the same with Amani, but all in good time.

“You boys having fun over here?” Kathy questioned as she eyed the meat cooking on the grill.

“Sure,” Gavin responded as he leaned in and kissed her forehead.

“Smells good,” Amani then remarked, and I felt her body heat as she moved closer to me. Gavin raised his brow at me, and I realized that he was encouraging me to embrace her. I awkwardly wrap my arm around Amani’s waist and gently tug her closer. The soft sigh that escaped her lips sounded like heaven to me and all I wanted was for this to work out.