Page 14 of Her Fake Mate

The next morning, I’m back before the sun comes up. I need to fix the little spot of dry rot…

Mia appears on the porch. “I thought you’d be back.”

I tilt my head. She’s really very pretty. Her riot of red hair is shockingly bright, but distinct. It wreathes her head in a kind of halo that reminds me of a crown.

That, more than anything else, is an accurate metaphor for Mia. She holds herself like she’s wearing a crown at all times. I hate to say it, but it’s kind of attractive.

She blinks, her bright green eyes studying me. “You hungry?”

“I could eat.”

I didn’t eat breakfast before I came over, and I’m definitely hungry.

“Come in then,” Mia says while turning.

I follow her into the cabin.

When the alpha set these up, he tasked Evander and some of the other enforcers with making ‘happy homes.’ For the most part, I agree with that. I didn’t work on this particular cabin, but I find my eyes running over all of the surfaces, just to make sure there’s nothing that needs to be redone.

It’s a little cold. I wonder if they put the right insulation…

“Who are you?”

I blink. There’s a fox kit, the same one from the other day.

“Zander,” I murmur. “Who are you?”

“Lana.”

She’s tiny. Barely comes up to one of my kneecaps. She has the green eyes that Mia and Josh also have, but her hair is a rich, coal black.

She frowns at me. “You made Mia mad the other day.”

Suddenly, this minuscule creature becomes very valuable to me. “Really? Why?”

“I dunno. She was just mad. Like this.” She demonstrates a sigh and frown combo that’s an impressively accurate impression of Mia.

“Does she do that a lot?”

The girl gives me a solemn nod. “Yes. But she cries more.”

“What does she cry about?”

“Lana,” Mia’s voice is sharp. “What have I told you about talking to strangers?”

“His name is Zander,” Lana says defensively. “And he’s my friend.”

Well.

I shrug as Mia glares at me. “She said it.”

“You can sit by me,” Lana says, tugging on my hand.

I grin at Mia. “I’m going to sit next to my friend.”

“You do that,” she mutters, glaring at Lana.

The table is pure chaos. There are two babies. One is in Mia’s arms, the other one is throwing pancakes onto the floor. I can’t keep track of how many children are present, as it feels like a thousand, and all of them get silent as I near. I don’t see the brother, but Lana sits me in a chair, then climbs up into hers before pointing at the pancakes on the table. “You should eat them fast, or Josh will eat yours.”

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