Page 99 of Magical Midlife Conclave

Mimi barely tilted her head, conceding the point, before turning and heading back into the kitchen.

Everyone looked at Austin.

He put up his hands. “If anyone knows what’s going on, I’m all ears.”

He’d heard Jess offer Calvin a little respite, her reason for not being here, but no one had mentioned the party size increasing.

Then again, with this many garhettes and basajaunak in the territory, there was no telling what they’d randomly planned and sucked everyone into.

“Well…if we want to eat, I guess that’s where we’re headed.” Austin took out his phone. “Who needs rides?”

Ivy House was aglow when Austin rolled up, Kingsley in the passenger seat.

“This is actually the very best place to have a BBQ,” Kingsley said, ducking forward to see the massive gothic house out of the windshield. “If anything kicks off, Ivy House can handle it. I still remember being chased around by those dolls.”

“The thing is…” Austin grimaced as he parked at the curb. Tristan and Sue were in the driveway. “The garhettes haven’t been able to get the gnome situation under control. They’ve reclaimed the grass area, but if anyone ventures too far into the woods, we’re really not sure what’ll happen. Maybe just a couple cuts and scrapes. Maybe they’ll be herded toward the killer flowers. It’s really anyone’s guess.”

“Jesus,” Kingsley muttered, and Austin started laughing. “Never a dull moment.”

“No.” Austin put the car in park.

“That guy Drex is something, huh?” Kingsley pushed open the door. “He’s mighty and a good fighter. Seems to have a good head on his shoulders and good control over his pack, even if control over his beast is iffy. He’s got the ear of the original alphas, I’ve heard. He’s a good asset.”

Austin stood from the car. “Have you talked to him directly?” he asked, keeping his voice neutral.

“No. He hasn’t mingled much in the generational pack circles. You seem to have an accord with him, though. Maybe you can introduce us? I’d like to get his take on things. I think we need to erase the lines between generational packs and original packs. It’s like two different factions. It’s been increasingly noticeable as I chat with people.”

“He said you were good at networking.”

Kingsley stiffened. Hardly. “I’m working on it. To have unity with magical people, we first need unity with shifters. I didn’t realize we were so fractured. I’ve been trying to up my game in a way where I can be useful. I can’t be shown up by my little brother.”

Austin snorted, stepping onto Ivy House soil. He felt Jess out back with a large crowd. Her rush of joy and love through the bonds meant she knew he was here.

“Drex needs no introduction, but yes, I can do that,” Austin said.

“I’m sure he knows who I am, but it would be better to chat with him on a more personal level, rather than a professional one.”

“I don’t think it’ll get any more personal for Drex when it comes to you.”

Austin watched Kingsley’s expression hint at confusion. He hadn’t told his brother of the connection, knowing they’d be here together and waiting for just this situation.

“He was a budding alpha when you and your team took down his half-siblings, competing alphas who were tearing the territory apart. They’d already killed their alpha father, some of their other half-siblings, and were fighting against each other for the title. They’d recently identified Drex, the youngest, as a problem. He would’ve been killed before long if you hadn’t come in and set everything to rights. You gave his mom money to reestablish them. He let me into his pack because I’m your brother. He’s a fan, Kingsley, and you’ve earned his praise.”

Kingsley’s eyes went far away. “No shit, huh? I remember that pack. Two or three alphas were left when we showed up. They were powerful. They didn’t have any training, though. We took them down because we were a unit.” He scratched his chin. “I don’t remember him personally. We helped a lot of them. That place was dismal by the time we got there.”

“That’s what he said.” Austin nudged his brother. “And now look. He’s self-taught, but his pack is thriving. He did incredibly well against powerful alphas today. He’ll help you pull it all together. One good turn deserves another.”

“Huh.” Kingsley shook his head subtly. “I wonder why he didn’t introduce himself.”

“What would he say to his hero?”

Kingsley swore and shoved Austin. “Come off it. That’s a little much.”

Austin grinned because his brother wasn’t any better than him at taking praise. But he saw the delighted glimmer in Kingsley’s eyes. It was a special thing to learn how you’d helped someone, and what they’d become, especially when they were thriving.

The rest of the alphas approached, marveling at the large structure before them. Austin and Jess hadn’t planned to show off Ivy House until the day after tomorrow, when most of the challenges were done and everyone knew where they stood in the shifter community. They’d host a dinner in the newly revamped ballroom.

He shouldn’t be surprised in the change of schedule. Nothing ever seemed to go according to plan.