Page 86 of Confusing Hearts

“What about taxes and stuff? I mean, you have an entire town, all shifters. If no one gets married, doesn’t that look suspicious or something?”

“We have a perfectly legal clerk, of course. She files the paperwork for the government on every mated pair, so I guess legally, yes, we are considered married. In a little less than four months, ours will be filed, unless you want to have a real wedding.”

Of course I wanted a real wedding, but I didn’t want to tell him that. Did it really matter? I’d have to do some soul-searching at a later date to figure out the answer to that, but right then we were pulling up in front of the bar I had seen on the drive in, and I really hoped they had real food, not just fried bar snacks.

Chase

Chapter 25

Jenna had surprised me with talk of marriage. I made a mental note to discuss the idea with Liam while we were there. I wanted his take on whether it was worth all the trouble weddings seemed to be, or not.

For now, walking into the Crate with my mate on my arm was the best feeling ever. We met Lily and Maddie in the parking lot and walked in with them. Patrick and Elise were already there. E stood and hugged me before turning to hug Jenna.

“Hi, I’m Elise, you must be Jenna.”

I loved my family, but I especially loved how they were welcoming my mate.

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” Jenna said. “Hey, Patrick.”

“It’s good to see you again, Jenna.”

Once the pleasantries were over we settled down, pulling three tables together to accommodate all of us. Liam arrived talking to Cole Anderson. Cole was one of Kyle’s Betas and on the Pack Council. He also owned a tattoo parlor in town. After introducing him to Jenna, I asked him to join us. Kelsey and Kyle were the last to arrive as Misty came by to take our orders.

“What’s good?” Jenna asked. “I’m starving.”

“Burgers,” my siblings and I said in unison.

“Trust us, they’re the best,” I assured her.

There was a local band of high schoolers playing on the small stage. Not so long ago that had been me. When they heard I was in the audience, they begged me to sing with them. One even offered me his guitar to play. With my siblings cheering me on, it was hard to say no, but when Jenna leaned over and asked me to please do it because she’d never heard me play, I was on stage as fast as lightning.

Playing with the band, eating Crate burgers, hanging with my family, and spending time with Jenna pretty much meant a perfect night for me. By the end of the evening as we started breaking up and heading home, Jenna was already part of the family. I could feel the shift and acceptance from each of my siblings.

The girls were busy making plans for Saturday and Jenna was being persuaded to at least stay through Mom’s Tuesday night family dinner, and she said yes.

I was exhausted and elated as we made it back to the house. Mom was up waiting, as she always did. She never went to bed until she knew all her babies were home safe and sound.

I walked Jenna up to my room, then came down and told Mom goodnight.

“Sorry we were out so late, Mom.”

“Oh, it’s fine, sweetie. It makes my heart happy to see all my babies together and enjoying each other.”

“We really did. It was a great evening,” I confirmed.

“I like Jenna. She’s good for you. I can see why you love her so much,” my mom said.

“Mom.” I started to talk, but she interrupted.

“Don’t say a word, son. I can see how in love you are, and you best be telling that girl just how much you love her every single day. It’s not always going to be easy for you two. You’ve chosen a different path and not everyone will be accepting of that. All relationships have their hurdles, though, and as long as you have true love, you’re going to be just fine.”

I hugged my mother tight, thankful to be blessed with such an amazing woman in my life. If it weren’t for her and my father’s love, I don’t know if I would have had the strength to go through with the bond. I had already heard and seen more prejudice in the last week at school, since word of us just dating had spread, than I’d experienced in my entire life. But my parents showed me unconditional love, and I knew that no matter what, they’d be supportive of my decision, which really wasn’t a decision at all because Jenna Lockhardt was my true mate.

I headed back upstairs. Nothing further needed to be said. When I got in the room, Jenna was already in her pajamas, sitting on the bed. She looked adorably cute. I went to my suitcase and pulled out the dampener. Best damn gift I ever got. I plugged it into the wall.

“Chase, is that the dampener?” Jenna asked.

“Yeah, best device ever invented.”

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