Chapter 181: One Of Your Fathers.....

Maverick should have known. Even after giving him five siblings already, with two being twins, his fathers apparently still weren’t ready to give up.

Not that he blamed them. They had more than enough money, family members and entire packs willing to help raise a small community of children if that was what his parents were determined to create.

But didn’t they think he was getting a little too old to keep becoming a big brother to newborns? At this rate, one of these days his mother was going to announce another pregnancy while he was holding a child of his own.

Violet sniffed. "I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for you to find out like this. You’re so smart, my sweet boy."

Maverick scratched the back of his head. Goddess, she was being so sweet he was surprised sugar wasn’t dripping through the phone.

Whenever his mother was pregnant, it was as though she became a completely different person. On the bright side, his fathers were in for another wild ride. He could only pray to the Goddess that she put them through enough this time to finally make them reconsider having another child.

Deep down, however, Maverick knew that prayer was nothing more than wishful thinking. Unless his mother suddenly entered menopause—and considering she was half-Fae and half-werewolf, he wasn’t even sure when that was supposed to happen—his four fathers clearly had no intention of ending their mission to populate the world with Violet Purple’s children.

"Congratulations, Mother," he said sincerely. No matter how much he complained about the ever-expanding family, he already knew he would love this child just as fiercely as the rest. "I can’t wait to meet my new sibling."

"Thank you, Marvy."

And there it was. Another nickname.

"Was that the only reason you called?" Maverick asked, deciding it was probably safer to move the conversation away from his mother’s pregnancy before he accidentally learned anything about his parents’ sex life that no son should ever have to know.

"Well, that and I wanted to know how those beasts are treating you over there. In case you needed me to make a trip—"

"No one is bothering me, Mother," Maverick cut in immediately. "I’m perfectly capable of sending anyone who tries on a permanent journey to meet the Goddess. Moreover, you’re pregnant. I’m fairly certain none of my fathers would permit you to go running across the country looking for trouble in your condition."

"Speaking of your fathers, one of them is actually planning a trip to Bestiaris."

Maverick’s heart missed a beat. "Which of my fathers, Mother?"

"Roman," Violet answered.

Kill him now. Maverick thought. This could not be happening.

Violet continued, completely unaware of the crisis she had just dropped into her son’s lap.

"Principal Warrick invited him to the academy a while ago as a special guest. He’s thinking of finally taking him up on the invitation now that his latest book, My Beasts and I, has been released. He could promote the book, speak to the students and check on you while he’s there."

No. Absolutely fucking not.

Maverick’s stomach dropped at the mere thought of it. Of all four of his fathers, why did it have to be Roman Draven?

That man could sniff out a secret from miles. If Roman set one foot inside Bestiaris and saw Maverick anywhere near Aria, her wish to keep their mate bond private for now wouldn’t survive the hour. He’d probably take one look at him, glance at Aria, and know exactly what was going on.

"About that..." Maverick began casually, working hard to keep the sudden desperation out of his voice while his mind scrambled for any excuse convincing enough to keep Roman as far away from Bestiaris as possible.

"I had a chat with the president recently, and the students are supposed to be taking a trip to Nova City soon. I’ll be busy with them for most of it, so Father would probably end up coming all the way here just to find me unavailable. I don’t think it would be worth making the trip right now."

"Oh, that would be even better," Violet replied cheerfully. "You know your father Roman and how well he works a crowd. I’m sure he’d win the students over within an hour, and if he’s joining the trip, the two of you would actually get to spend some time together."

At this point, Maverick didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Somehow, every excuse he gave his mother for why Roman shouldn’t come only seemed to convince her that sending him was an even better idea.

He tried once more. "Mother, you’re pregnant. He should be there with you."

"Oh, don’t worry about me. Your father Griffin is responsible for this one, and he’s practically suffocating me with his presence. I actually want Roman out of the house for a while. Between the children and your fathers, there’s only so much attention one woman can take before I lose my..." Violet suddenly trailed off.

"What are you hiding from me, Maverick?"

Oh, fuck.

Maverick gulped nervously.

For a moment there, he had forgotten just how intelligent and perceptive his mother could be. Even pregnancy hadn’t dulled that particular instinct in the slightest. If anything, he’d probably made things worse by trying so desperately to convince her that Roman had no reason to visit.

"What are you talking about, Mother?" he almost sounded nonchalant. "What could I possibly be keeping from you?"

"Hmm," Violet murmured. "Is that so?"

Maverick knew immediately that he’d messed up. He had piqued his mother’s interest, and once Violet Purple suspected one of her children was concealing something from her, there was almost no stopping her until she discovered exactly what it was.

"I’ll speak to the president myself," Violet continued, sounding quite pleased with her new plan. "I’m sure he’d be delighted to have my husband accompany the students on the trip."

And with that, Maverick’s fate was sealed.

"Mother, wait..." Maverick began, already preparing one last argument.

"Love you, Maverick," Violet replied sweetly.

Before he could get another word out, the call ended.

Maverick stared at the phone for several seconds before a long groan escaped him into the silence.

He was doomed.