Brady was getting better each hour, and was finally able to get up and walk around the next morning. He stayed at Grandpa Billy's, upon my refusal to let him move or be moved. Daddy wasn't happy, but Mama got him outside before he could raise too much of a fuss.
I walked out of Daddy's old room, in my simple tank top and shorts that I typically wore to bed. I didn't realize that Brady would already be awake and sitting up. Not that I minded him seeing me like I was, he would have eventually, but Daddy and Mama were back at Grandpa Billy's, along with Aunt Rachel and Uncle Paul. Grandpa Billy was also up and in the living room with everyone else. I tried not to focus on anyone but Brady as I found myself blushing a little at my attire.
Before I could think about changing clothes though, Brady wrapped his arm around my shoulder, taking the growls of my father and uncle quite easily. We found a new confidence from yesterday's events. I smiled and leaned into his side. The conversation eventually continued, leaving my thoughts free to roam. That is, until the door burst open, displaying four more wolves. Three from Daddy's pack, and the fourth was the Alpha of Brady's pack. Uncle Seth, Uncle Quil and Uncle Embry all growled a little when they took in my clothes and position, but Sam just looked at Daddy and asked to talk outside. Then he turned to Mama and said that Emily wanted to talk to her, could she please head down to their house before Emily gets any more anxious?
Mama, Daddy and Sam walked out the door, and my "uncles" Quil, Seth and Embry turned to my Aunt Rachel, saying that Emily had wanted to see her as well. When Aunt Rachel walked out to catch up with Mama, Grandpa Billy sat up straighter and rolled himself into his bedroom without another word. I grimaced as I realized the only person left in the living room that wasn't a wolf was me. Uncle Paul glared at Brady's arm until he carefully removed it from my shoulders. It was suddenly very cold where his arm had been. Uncle Quil barely glanced at me as he told me to go change into something a little more appropriate. I didn't argue, quickly turning my head to kiss Brady's shoulder before standing to walk to the back of the house to change.
By the time I reached Daddy's old room, I knew the guys were in a heated discussion...most likely about me...what can I say? I have seven overprotective uncles, four of whom had been in my boyfriend's head at some point or another, and one of those four was still in his head whenever they were both phased at the same time. I didn't expect them to shut up when I walked back into the living room in a pair of sweats and my dad's old hoodie. In fact, I had expected my uncles to continue as if I had never come back into the room. But surprisingly, they did shut up when I came in. Uncle Seth went as far as trying to whistle to "act normal". It was hilarious. And very suspicious.
"Good morning again. Uncle Seth, you might want to quit whistling. If anything, it makes me more suspicious that you all were not having a decent conversation about me. And as furious as I still am with my father, I'm sure between him, my mother, Aunt Rachel and my Brady, I can figure out what about me this conversation discussed. Oh, and Uncle Paul, you might want to apologize to Aunt Rachel in advanced, because if you don't spill your guts, I can easily call her and tell her about what you were up to in the woods a couple of days ago. Don't go laughing too hard, Uncle Embry...it won't take much for me to get some dirt and someone to tell it to on you, either. Careful, Uncle Quil. Daddy dearest let a few things slip when he was trying to get me to talk to him again. It wouldn't be hard for me to get a hold of Aunt Claire, now would it?" After I had sufficiently shut up all my uncles, I turned to my boyfriend, and simply asked, "What were you all discussing about right before I came in?" I gave him a look that no one could resist. I heard him audibly swallow before looking apologetically at the guys.
"They were warning me about doing anything with you that I wouldn't do with their wives...or in Seth's and Embry's cases, girlfriends." I smiled sweetly at Brady before turning my wrath on my nervous uncles.
Uncle Seth was up and running before I could stand up, beating Uncle Embry to the door by inches. I would have laughed, but I was trying to keep up my "furious little niece is ready to kill her overprotective uncles" act. Uncle Paul and Uncle Quil stood up, coming to either side of me to hold my arms in place while they picked me up and pinned me on the couch. Uncle Paul whispered something in my ear, trying to not be heard by anyone but me.
"Sarah, honey, this is all an act. We want you and Brady together. Believe me, it's much easier to be in his head when he's spent the day watching you. But as your uncles, we have to at least pretend for your father's sake that we want to rip him limb from limb for even looking at you." I knew now why Uncle Paul was being so quiet. If Uncle Quil actually heard the words, then the plan would be blown. Uncle Quil had patrols with Daddy and could only say that he had done his part, looking over the scene as he tried to play the protective uncle. If he had been the one to admit the game, Daddy would know immediately. I nodded and winked before struggling, arguing with him that Brady and I belonged together. Grandpa Edward and Aunt Alice helped me with my acting when I was younger, knowing it would come in handy later.