Free Rocky (Tales of the Were) by Bianca D'Arc

utensils and making room for all the extra people to sit. She felt a little superfluous, but she was still moving slower than her normal pace, her energy returning at a more human rate without the magical assist from the boys, which had worn off for the most part after that initial burst of healing.
    Marissa insisted that Maggie nap after they’d cleaned up from the lunch crowd. She was so weary she didn’t resist the idea too strenuously. She woke when the boys did, to feed and change them before she sought her own dinner.
    Rafe, Tim and Allie joined the Garibaldis for dinner and were soon discussing events and politics that were well beyond her rudimentary grasp of shifter society. It was okay though. Rocky sat next to her and tried to explain what he could so she could at least try to learn.
    “Marissa and Joe,” Allie spoke during a lull in the conversation. “We want you to know that you both are welcome here anytime.”
    “And if you wanted to relocate here permanently,” Tim picked up the conversation, “you would be a very welcome addition to our community.”
    Silence reigned while Rocky’s father regarded the three who ruled over all the other were in North America. Even Maggie could tell this invitation wasn’t given or received lightly.
    “We are honored,” Joe Garibaldi answered after a slight hesitation. “We haven’t made plans yet, but it’s something to think about.”
    “We’d like to be near our son and help raise our grandcubs,” Marissa added. “But we’re not sure yet how everything will work out.”
    “Of course .” Rafe smiled to cover the slight tension Maggie sensed swirling around her.
    The Garibaldis were being so nice. It was clear they didn’t want to presume, and saying anything right now would be awkward.
    Maggie would never deny her babies the gift of knowing others of their kind , and she would have to corner Rocky’s mom later and reassure her on that point. Maggie might not be too comfortable with the idea of people turning into bears—and all other kinds of dangerous wild animals just yet—but she’d have to adapt, for the boys’ sake.
    “Let me help you bring in the desert, my dear.” Joe turned the subject handily while the main course drew to an end. The older couple stood and headed for the kitchen.
    “Your parents are great, Rocky,” Allie was the first to comment.
    “Thanks. And thanks for making them welcome. My dad’s a stickler for propriety so he really needed the invite from you to be sure he wouldn’t be perceived as invading your territory. I’m not sure they’ll take you up on the offer though.”
    “It would be a nice change,” Joe’s deep voice sounded as the older couple rejoined them. He was carrying a pie in each hand and his wife held another.
    Maggie was still amazed by the vast quantities of food these people could put away. Lunch had been huge and dinner likewise.
    “So you’ll really think about it?” Rocky seemed pleasantly surprised and a bit eager.
    “Yes, we will,” his mother answered, sliding a giant piece of blueberry pie onto his plate. “There’s nothing much in California for us. Not when you consider that the babies are here. It’s been too long since we had cubs to spoil.”
    “I told you they’d spoil them rotten .” Rocky rolled his eyes in exaggeration as Maggie laughed.

Chapter Eight
     
    The Garibaldis moved in, and though the men didn’t discuss it in front of her, Maggie figured out that they’d set up some kind of sleeping rotation so that someone would always be awake and on guard in the house. Every time she woke up with the boys, no matter what time it was, day or night, either Rocky or his dad were just outside her door, in the living room, keeping watch.
    She slept late the next day and managed to join the Garibaldis while they were still at the breakfast table discussing plans for new construction. Rocky kissed her good morning. It was an innocent kiss, just a buss on the lips really, but