Chapter 0210
**Axel’s POV**
My biological father seems to be making a little more effort with me than usual, although it’s still minimal. My mother and two other fathers are still as disinterested as ever. They’re all only here to be a part of something. They don’t care about saving the human realm, they just want to be able to say they were there. They think it will bring them some respect.
I could put them out of their misery and tell them I am a part of the Spark bond, that their son they thought was such a disappointment for having strength–based gifts is who they are now here to see, who they are excited to meet, but it feels like a little revenge to have them sitting a the table with the Spark bonded group and have no idea for a while. I hope they feel stupid when they realise.
“I heard a rumour that your headmaster is a part of the Spark bonded group, is that true?” my mum asks, her eyes searching out Deacon in the crowd.
“Yes, he is,” I nod.
“He’s a fine man, his bond is a very lucky woman,” she says dreamily and my father rolls his eyes.
‘Oh, she is, you should see all her bonds, she really hit the jackpot,” Josie smiles up at me.
“I heard she is pregnant already,” my mum says and it’s at this moment that I realise my mum was probably one of the academy gossips in her time here.
“She is, they’re all very happy about it,” Luke says as he moves to massage Josie’s other foot.
“It looks like Mr Collins is coming over to our table, you’re not in trouble are you Axel,” my father asks.
I don’t respond, just shoot him a deadpan look. I have never been in trouble at the academy, why would he think 1 would be now?
“We have pasta, garlic bread and we even managed to get a full bowl of grated cheese,” Deacon says as he approaches.
He is carrying trays piled high with food and Mason is close behind with similar–looking trays.
“Thank you, I’m starving,” Josie whines most adorably and Deacon places down his trays before handing the bowl of cheese to Josie.
“I’m going to go tell my parents about the pregnancy before they come to the table, hopefully, they’ll have gotten over the shock by the time they get their food and won’t fuss as much,” Luke says into the mind link to is all.
“Okay, hurry back though, you need to eat too,” Josie responds.
I look up to see my mum staring at us open–mouthed, with wide eyes, as Mason and Deacon arrange our plates, and when Josie shifts on my lap, turning to face the table I can’t contain my laugh as my mum looks like she is about to pass out.
“Axel, why didn’t you tell us you were in the Spark bond?” one of my fathers asks, and for the first time his tone is filled with pride.
“You never asked,” I shrug.
“We shouldn’t have to ask,” my mother huffs.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 0210
“Maybe if you’d called, or responded to any of my texts then you’d know. You’d also know that my bond spent six weeks in a coma, we’ve been targeted by people trying to kill us multiple times, I got stuck in my wolf form for a month, I almost got lost in the void, twice, and then I was trapped in the human realm for weeks and only got back a few days ago,” I snap, finally hitting my limit with them.
“Axel, I’m sorry we weren’t there. I really wish we’d have been there. We are so proud of you, and we will be here to support you from now on,” my father says and I study him.
I believe his words hold some genuine guilt but it’s too little, too late. After today I don’t want to spend any more time with these people. I don’t hate them, but they are not my family, not really.
“Want me to make their chair legs disappear?” Mason asks into the mind link and I laugh out loud.
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” Deacon grumbles
“Ooo, let me do it, I think I’m overdue for some of Mr Collins‘ punishment,” Josie wiggles in my lap excitedly.
“Calm it, I’m trying to talk with my parents here,” Luke says uncomfortably.
“Yeah, I’m getting sick of these awkward, unsatisfied boners, people are going to start thinking I’m weird,” Theo quips.
I continue to laugh along with Josie, we probably look a little crazy but I don’t care. This bond group is my family. I have everything I could possibly need with them, everyone else opinions are irrelevant.
“What’s wrong with you?” my mum asks.
“Private conversation,” I shake my head in amusement.
“I apologise for my son’s behaviour, Mr Collins, it must be difficult for you to be bonded to such an immature group,” my mum says sympathetically.
“In the last months, this group have been through more than you have ever probably been through in your lifetime, so seeing them laugh is a blessing, it shows their strength, not immaturity,” Deacon says, shutting my mum up instantly.
Half of the table falls into an awkward silence whilst my band group eat and chats like nothing happened, and when Luke approaches with his family and tries to squeeze onto the table with us I ask my parents to leave. They without another word or backwards glance and I feel as though a weight lifts from my shoulders. I finally made my parents proud, but it cost them our relationship, something I’m not going to miss because it was never really there to begin with.
Luke’s family manage to keep their excitement under control and not overwhelm Josie. Theo’s family come to join us too and then Deacon’s parents stand beside us, joining the conversation. Josie invites them all to the gender reveal party that she and Freya are planning, and soon the conversation falls into people offering to prepare food for the party and discussing who will make what. In the end, they all swap numbers before we need to leave for our next training session.
Chapter 0211
Chapter 0211
