Page 52 of Chev's Mate

I can’t contain my laughter, and I press a hand to my lips to stifle it. Cassia hates being called a “baby,” and the young wrath resorts to screaming whenever the word is uttered in her direction.

Valeria rambles about all the things Aziel has promised to buy her for school, her voice growing louder as the man in question wanders into the room. He rubs his eyes and nods in my direction before plopping down at the head of the table.

“You look like shit,” he says.

He purses his lips and glances at Valeria, clear nervousness written across his features. He’s not supposed to swear in front of her. She repeats everything he says.

He turns back to me. “Did you sleep?”

“No.”

It’s about time for me to leave, and I pat Valeria on the head and make my way to the portal before I get scolded for feeding her sugar. I haven’t been to the headquarters in weeks, and I mentally prepare for it before turning on the portal and stepping through.

Noise assaults my ears, and I linger by the portal for a moment before heading toward my office. Echo is alreadywaiting inside, her eyes narrowed on the three men setting up interview equipment—cameras, lighting, everything I hate.

I greet her. “Good morning.”

I’m not in the mood to hear her lecture, and I’m relieved when she doesn’t give one.

“Can I sit in on your interview?”

I nod, and she takes a seat along the right wall. I settle in at my desk, unused to being here. My office is familiar, but it no longer brings me the comfort it once did. I’m only comfortable with Vanessa.

The three men shoot me continual nervous glances as they prepare for the interview. I openly stare at them. It’s no secret that shifter males are protective of their mates, and these men work for an organization that publicly insulted mine. They should be nervous.

Another man enters the room. I recognize him. He’s a reporter, one I often see in front of the camera. He himself insulted my mate. I read the transcript of his broadcast last night. I read every fucking word of it.

I’m surprised Aziel organized my interview with him.

My office door opens again, and I bite back a smile as Charlie, Aziel, Gray, and Silas step inside. The children are nowhere to be seen, but I assume they’re wreaking havoc somewhere in the building. My heart soars. My friends are here to support me.

“It’s time,” I say, glancing at my computer.

Vanessa will be awake in one hour and thirty minutes, and I fully intend to be at her house when she does.

My interviewer clears his throat and glances at his notes. He’s a tiny man. Easy to crush.

“Yes,” he mumbles. “I suppose it is.”

His voice shakes, and I share a look with Aziel. He sucks his cheeks into his mouth, visibly holding back laughter. Thisinterviewer spoke quite bluntly when he could hide behind his screen, but he’s afraid to talk to me directly. It’s humorous.

There’s a moment of silence as the man operating the camera finishes some last-minute touches, getting the angle perfect. The man interviewing me takes a seat opposite my desk. His hands are shaking. I love to see it.

We begin.

“Is it true that your mate is Vanessa Bryne?”

I resist the urge to sigh. This is going to be a long hour.

“Yes.”

“And is it true she’s a nymph?”

His eyes narrow, and I know he’s trying to read my reaction. He’s hoping to see me flinch or show embarrassment, but I won’t. I’m not embarrassed by my mate. I never will be.

“She is,” I confirm.

The interviewer’s cheeks turn pink, and I glance at Gray.

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