Page 76 of Chev's Mate

“All the products under the sink need to be packed,” I say. “You can help Vanessa and Charlie once you’ve finished.”

Gray nods, his eyes lighting up when I say Charlie’s name. I’m happy the tiny human found peace with her males.

“I heard you promised to catch Vanessa an ucka as a moving-in present,” Gray says.

I set down the objects in my hands. I already know where he’s heading with this.

“And there’s going to be much more meat than you two can eat by yourselves,” Gray continues. He shoots me a lopsided grin. “We have three small mouths that would love to spend the weekend helping you work through it.”

Oh.That’s not what I was expecting. I thought he was going to ask me to share some with him, and I was already preparing my rejection. I don’t mind sharing with his children, though, and I did promise to babysit them as payment for using Silas as a vehicle.

“That sounds nice,” Vanessa says, rounding the corner of the stairwell.

I trip over my feet rushing to her, and I only feel slightly embarrassed by the laughs I receive as I grab the box she’s carrying. Gray does the same with Charlie, and we make brief eye contact before bringing the boxes to the pile with the others.

“You say that until you’re waking up to a tiny fate standing in the corner of your bedroom staring straight into your soul,” I tease Vanessa.

It’s a joke, but I shiver at the thought. Valeria is a kind child, but she can be quite frightening. Shifters don’t love fates, and I’m not too fond of her trying to sneak into my head when I’m weakened by sleep. She’s done it before, but my future is mine only.

My pride swells when Vanessa walks around the couch to join me near the boxes. She steps confidently and without thought as she brings herself into my personal space. I hurry to finish what I’m doing and wrap my arms around her, eager to hold her.

“Did you finish everything upstairs?” I ask.

Vanessa nods and leans against my chest. I kiss the top of her head. We’re going to sleep together under the same roof tonight, and I’ve never been more excited. I will have hours to spend with my mate curled up against my chest, and I hope she sleeps well with me.

Gray grabs a box and teleports away just as Aziel and Silas return for more. I continue to hold Vanessa, and I subtly bury my face in her hair when I think she’s not paying attention. Her smile tells me she’s noticed.

“Are you ready to go home?” I ask. She nods, and I slide my hand down her back. “I’m going to use the portal, but Aziel can teleport you if you’d like.”

I know all this teleporting is tiring for the demons, and I won’t ask them to bring me, too. Aziel and Silas are probably the only ones strong enough to do it, but I don’t want to hurt them. I’m too heavy, and they like to complain.

“I’ll go with you,” Vanessa says.

That’s what I was hoping she’d say.

I turn to Charlie. “Do you want to come?”

I don’t want her to, but it’s polite to offer. I want to return with my mate alone, and I want Vanessa and me to unpack and make up our home together. I’d like to be private.

I had to beg my parents to stay away and give Vanessa time to decompress. They agreed, but they aren’t pleased about it. They’re excited to meet my mate.

“No, but thank you,” Charlie says.

Vanessa smiles, and I smell her again before leading her outside. Her golf cart is parked in front of the house, and I make my way to the driver’s seat.

“Let me drive,” Vanessa says.

I hesitate.

My mate is dangerous with this, and I don’t trust her driving—I never have. Despite my reservations, though, I nod and make my way to the passenger’s seat. Only a few seconds into the ride, I find myself gripping the handle, and it takes everything in me not to shove my foot into the dirt and slow down the cart.

I take her hand and hold it close as she whips into a parking spot just outside the facility doors.

“There’s no need to look so frightened, Chev.”

I clear my throat. “I’m not frightened.”

It’s a lie, but Vanessa doesn’t push it. It’s her I’m frightened for. She could drive the cart full-speed into a tree and I’d be fine within a few hours, but she doesn’t heal quite as quickly as I do. The thought horrifies me.

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