Page 45 of Chev's Mate

“You are my oldest baby,” Dad continues. “But now you’re a stranger.”

At that, I snort and roll my eyes. Now he’s being dramatic. He still sees me every week for family dinner, and we spend hours together. Although now that Vanessa is allowing me to escort her home, I might have to stop attending the dinners.

“I need to go,” I tell Dad.

He hides his secret axe in my shed before leaving, and I rush to the portal in Charlie’s cabin. She doesn’t use it as frequently as she once did, but we’ve all been busy.

I’m a sweaty mess when I return to Wrath, and I hurry to shower and dress for my date. The restaurant I want to go to requires me to wear traditional Wrath clothing, and I frown as I pull up my pants.

I hate these fucking things, and I can’t think of one good reason why it’s required I wear a shirt, pants, and shoes to eat. They don’t help me get food into my mouth, and, if anything, the constricting fabric makes itharderto eat.

Demons have a lot to learn from shifters.

“Silas!” I shout, heading toward the front door. He meets me in the foyer. “Are you ready to go?”

He nods, and I grab his arm so he can teleport me to Vanessa’s workplace.

Chapter Eighteen

CHEV

MY RANGE OF movement is shit, and I squat to loosen my pants as I wait for Vanessa. I don’t have to wait long. I timed her departure well, and I straighten up as the facility doors open and Vanessa comes strolling out.

Her gait changes when she notices Silas lounging in her golf cart, the demon shielding his eyes with one hand while he plays on his phone with the other. He sets the device down when he notices my mate, his lips curling into a kind smile before he stands and greets her.

“Are you ready for our date?” I ask, nudging him to the side so Vanessa puts her eyes on me instead.

She cocks a brow as she scans me, her mouth twitching.

“You’re wearing normal clothing today?”

Silas sucks in a laugh. Leathersarenormal clothing, but I won’t scold my mate like I do the Wrath trio. At least, not right away. She doesn’t understand because she’s never worn leathers and discovered how beneficial they are, but someday, she’ll realize.

“The restaurant I’ve picked out is prejudiced,” I say, trying and failing to hide my annoyance. “They don’t allow leathers.”

Aziel’s shirt digs into my armpits, and I grimace and wiggle to try to stretch the fabric. He should bulk up. We’re the same height, but his clothing would fit me better if he were wider. I’ll have to discuss this with him later tonight.

“Where are we going?” Vanessa asks, glancing at her outfit.

She looks perfect in her bright-blue dress, and my chest puffs up as I realize I’ll have the most attractive date there tonight. All the males will be jealous of me and what’s mine.

I look to Silas to provide the restaurant’s name, the demonic word nearly impossible to pronounce. Vanessa doesn’t seem to recognize the place, which is good, and I rock back on my heels as I gesture for her to come closer so Silas can teleport us.

He’s not thrilled about being our mode of transportation, but we came up with an agreement that suits both our needs. I’ll babysit his children for one weekend if he provides Vanessa and me with two round-trip excursions within Wrath. I used up the first when we went to the lava fields, and this will be the second.

It’s a good deal, especially since I would’ve watched the children for free. Shifters love kids, and the tiny demons have a great time wreaking havoc within my pack. I’ll take this time to teach them how to hunt. It’s about time the twins learn. They’re almost six.

Vanessa approaches, and I place my hand on her waist. She touches the fabric of my shirt, her fingers toying with it before she looks up at me and grins.

“I prefer you in leathers,” she says.

I gulp. I want to see her in leathers so badly, but I won’t voice my desires. Vanessa wears modest clothing, her fabric lacking shape and covering most of her body. Shifter women show much more skin, and I don’t want my mate to feel she needs to dress the same to make me happy.

“Down, Bear,” Silas says, grabbing Vanessa’s and my shoulders.

I don’t enjoy his teasing, but I’m too busy stabilizing Vanessa to comment on it. She wobbles as we’re teleported, and I hold her tightly until the world has re-materialized around us. We’re standing outside, right next to the large, wooden restaurant doors. The dark-red paint is chipping in the corners, but the cobblestone beneath our feet is new.

“Thanks,” Vanessa says, grabbing my arm.

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