Page 40 of Her Fake Mate

Mia and I finish loading the kids into the cars, then head down to town. Thorne volunteered the town square for the festival, and I solidly agreed.

We’ve been setting up for two days.

When we get there, the festival is almost starting. There’s more than just produce out. Some of the pack members who have crafts or things they’ve been working on are prepared to sell them, too.

There’s dancing. Thorne booked food trucks. There are balloons.

Overall, the air is thick with excitement. Mia gives the kids a stern talking to as we roll up. Each older child has been assigned a younger one, and AJ will sit in a backpack on my back.

The children are released, and I can see Mia flinch.

“It’s okay,” I murmur, pulling her close. “They’re safe here.”

“It still feels weird to say that,” she whispers back.

I kiss the top of her head. “They’re part of the pack. The pack takes care of its members. That’s how it works, my love.”

“I know. But…”

“No buts. This is going to be a fun day.”

She raises her eyebrows at me. “Or else?”

“Yeah. Or else.” I pretend to glower.

She giggles and pulls me down for a kiss. “I love you, Zander Black.”

It’s been months, and the words still make my heart leap with joy.

The festival is in full swing only minutes after it opens. I’ve chatted with all the enforcers, checked in with Thorne and Evander, and now I’m heading back to where Mia is running her farm table. The enforcers are all tasked with making sure the event stays family friendly, and we’ve done something a little crazy to do it.

We enlisted the miscreant teenagers.

Josh, to everyone’s surprise, is running them like a military unit.

A wolf juvenile, probably fourteen, runs up to me.

“Sir,” he whispers, pointing to someone. “I don’t know that guy.”

I straighten. AJ is still in my backpack, but I can handle this.

I jog over to where the teenager pointed. I’m ready to have words with the stranger, but as he turns, I relax.

This is a wolf that I haven’t seen in a long time. He’s older, grayer than he used to be, but the lines of his face are familiar.

It’s my dad’s friend.

I walk up and clap him on the back. “Good to see you, Jake.”

“You too, Zander. Wow.” He steps back. “You look just like your old man.”

The compliment warms me. “But I have my mother’s eyes?”

He grins. “You’ve heard this one before.”

“Sure have.”

Mia drifts over, and I put my arm around her. “Jake. This is Mia, my mate,” I say proudly.

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