Chapter 176: Dinner with the Keenes

Erick was outside Amber's house where he was trying to call his father to discuss the scent on Remi, Amber's brother. After talking to Amber, he realized he wouldn't be able to talk with Amber's parents unless he exposed his identity as a shifter, which they did not know.

And according to any shifter's rules, ever since the past wars, one should not expose their shifter identity freely without permission from their Alpha. Erick was fortunate to have a mate like Amber, who accepted him as a shifter. But he doesn't know what her parents would feel, though. Hence why he sought for his father's advice.

"Yes?"

His father answered.

"Dad, I need some help," Erick quickly said.

"With what?"

Erick immediately went to a long explanation about how he was at Amber's house and that Dane caught a strange familiar scent on Amber's brother and that he needed his father to talk with Amber's parents to ask more about what had happened to Amber's brother and why there was a familiar scent on him.

While Erick was talking to his father, the latter was quiet the whole conversation. Once his son was done talking, Lachlan continued to be quiet until a couple of minutes later, he calmly said, "Why are you at Amber's house? Aren't you supposed to be in school right now?"

Erick became stumped when he heard his father's question. He inwardly facepalmed himself as he actually forgot about him skipping school.

He regretted not looking at the time as he listened to his father's scolding and lecture.

After his father was done reprimanding him, he asked Erick why he had to skip school.

Again, Erick quickly explained about how he and Dane were concerned over Amber not attending school and then to find out that she was out sick. And that he came over to visit her. He also reassured his father that he actually did come to school in the morning. He only left school after lunch.

Although Lachlan understood the anxiety a shifter would feel once they found out that there was something wrong with their mate, it did not stop him from scolding Erick for being irresponsible. As the future Alpha, it was important for Erick from the young age to show how he lives up to his commitment and responsibilities.

Once Erick was done explaining to his father, Lachlan kept quiet as he contemplated everything inside his mind. His son was right about one matter. Even if Amber was fine with them being shifters, it does not mean that her parents were, as well.

He then told Erick to tell Amber's parents that he and his mother would be coming over to have a talk with them.

Erick agreed immediately and hung up the call. He then went inside the house and went to tell Mrs. Keene of his father's intentions.

Amber's mother was curiously confused as to why Erick's parents would want to talk with them, though she did not mind. Seeing that her husband would be returning home as well that night, it would be good if the two parents were to meet up once again and have a pleasant talk.

She was quite worried too since Amber was still sick but Erick reassured her that she would be fine. He and Remi would take care of her.

That evening.

Erick went home earlier as he would be returning to Amber's house, together with his parents.

Amber's father, Eren Keene, had just arrived a couple of hours ago. He, too, was surprised when he heard from his wife that Erick's parents wanted to meet with them. Although he did not mind meeting with them as they respected one another, he did not know what was the purpose of them meeting so urgently that night.

Eren was in the living room as he waited for the Kendalls to arrive. Before this, he had gone to see his daughter, who was currently resting in her room with Remi, sitting quietly next to her bed, reading a book. Once he had seen that his daughter was fine, he went down to the living room.

Syden was in the kitchen, where she had prepared dinner for the families. Similar to the Kendall's last visit, Syden had prepared a lot of food. Remembering how Erick and his father ate, even more so than her own husband, she felt like she was prepared this time. She had roasted beef, mashed potatoes with a side of green peas, cornbread and pecan pie.

While she was scooping the mashed potatoes in a large serving bowl, she heard the doorbell ring. Eren, who was in the other room, went to open the front door.

He opened the door and greeted the Kendalls with a huge smile on his face. "Welcome," he greeted, shaking hands with Lachlan.

Syden, who just left the kitchen, also went to greet them. She and Luella exchanged light hugs with one another. She then invited them to eat first before having their talk in the living room.

The Kendalls thanked the husband and wife for their hospitality and followed them to the kitchen table where dinner was served.

Before entering the kitchen, Erick turned around and looked up from the bottom of the stairs to where Amber's bedroom was located.

Noticing Erick's glance, Syden reassured him that Amber already had her dinner together with Remi. So she should be fine and that he can visit her after dinner.

Looking a bit dejected at the thought of not sitting in the same table with Amber, he followed Syden to the kitchen with heavy steps.

When Luella saw her son's expression, she laughed, saying that this is the first time she saw her son looking so sad when it comes to dinner. Lachlan just kept quiet but there was a hint of a small smile on the corner of his lips.

The families had a pleasant conversation around the kitchen table, where Lachlan and Eren talked about their work and a bit of politics. The women, on the other hand, talked about the cooking shows that they recently followed and the new shops that were recently opened in town.

Without his mate, Erick could only eat his food while tuning off to the adults' conversations. Even though the food was delicious, he did not feel the taste as he just mechanically ate whatever was in front of him.

Once dinner was over, Eren invited them to the living room. At first, Luella wanted to help Syden with the clean-up. Knowing that Amber was sick, she would be alone with the clean-up. But Syden refused, saying she could not possibly allow her guests to help her with the clean-up.

After much persuasion from Syden, Luella reluctantly backed down. But before she left to head over to the living room, she did not forget to narrow her eyes at Erick, giving him a signal.

Knowing what his mother meant, Erick quickly went into the kitchen and saw Syden already starting to clean the place up. He swiftly offered his services. At first, Syden wanted to protest but Erick was too fast as he had already cleaned the table up and carried all the dirty dishes to the dishwasher. Syden was pleasantly surprised with his swift and natural effort, making her realize that he probably helps his mother out in the kitchen as well.

Another point scored for Erick!

In the living room, Eren was offering Lachlan a drink, who nodded yes. After Luella walked in, Eren offered a drink to her as well.

With their drinks in their hands, the three men and woman sat down. Lachlan sat together with his wife on a sofa, whereas Eren sat alone in a large armchair.

Eren then cleared his throat. "So, I've heard from my wife that you would like to have a talk with us?" he began.

Lachlan nodded. "Yes. But let's wait until your wife joins us. It's best if she was here as well."

Eren nodded.

Few minutes later, Syden walked in, wiping her hands on a handkerchief. She smiled, a look of confusion on her face when she saw that the three of them have not started the conversation yet.

Seeing the confused look on her face, Eren told his wife that they were waiting for her.

Syden nodded and sat down on the arm of the armchair where Eren was sitting. "Alright, we can start the conversation then," she said pleasantly.

Lachlan and Luella looked at each other. Before coming to the Keene's house, Lachlan and Erick had updated her on what had happened and she agreed to come along. If things don't go well, she had hoped to pacify the situation.

Lachlan turned to the curious looking parents in front of him and asked with a serious look on his face, "Did something happen to you while you were pregnant with Remi?"

The question was directed to Syden.

When the Keenes heard his question, their faces abruptly changed from curious to shocked.