Page 23 of Can't Be Love

“Kitchen,” the woman returned.

As we walked through the living room I didn’t even noticed the dark-haired woman sitting on the couch until she spoke.

“Thomas Collier?” she asked.

“Jesus, E, you scared me half to death. I didn’t see you there,” Lily said, and I noticed she was blushing. “Thomas, this is my sister, Elise.”

Elise bit back a grin as she said hello.

Lily walked into the kitchen, returning with her mom, who eyed me suspiciously.

“Hello, Thomas.”

“Hi, Mrs. Westin,” I said, feeling like an awkward little boy again.

“It’s Mary,” she corrected.

Another woman came into the room, her belly protruding with child. Lily wrapped her arms around her and I stared, envisioning her swollen with my child. I would never have pegged Lily Westin as the family type, yet seeing her with her own family made me wonder why.

A small child came running into the room and didn’t hesitate as he launched himself at Lily. She didn’t miss a beat as she snatched him up and snuggled him close. It made my heart hitch at the sight.

“I wuv you, Aunt Weewee,” the little boy said, causing my mate to gush over him.

“I love you too, Z-man,” she said, tickling his neck and making him squeal and wiggle until she set him down again. He was off and running quickly.

Everything I thought I knew about Lily changed in that moment. I didn’t just see her as my mate, but also for the first time I could see her clearly as a future Pack Mother.

“Hi, I’m Kelsey,” the pregnant woman said, though I had already suspected, knowing Kyle’s mate was with child.

“Thomas,” I said.

Lily turned back to me. “It won’t take me long. I didn’t really unpack,” she confessed before disappearing.

“Wait up,” Elise yelled, running after her and grabbing Kelsey’s arm and dragging her along with them. I watched them leave, knowing they were talking about me. I tried to do the right thing and tune them out even though curiosity kept one ear open, until I hearddouchebagand then I forced myself not to listen anymore.

I took a seat on the couch, knowing it could take her a while. Jason Westin wandered in. He feigned surprise to see me there as he greeted me, but from the shared look with his mate, I knew he was well aware of my presence.

“What brings you to Westin, son?” Jason asked.

I snorted. “I think you already know the answer to that, sir.” I looked at Mary, who tried and failed to hide that knowing smirk again.

They each took a seat on either side of me, successfully trapping me in place.

“Lily will make you a fine mate, Thomas,” Mary finally said.

I blew out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding as she forced us all to confront the elephant in the room. I nodded, not really sure what to say. My initial reaction had been that there was no way Lily Westin was cut out to be Pack Mother of Collier, but after seeing her with her family for only a few moments, I wasn’t so sure about that after all.

“I hope so. She’s very reluctant,” I said, cautiously.

Jason laughed. “I can imagine. She must have been shocked out of her mind, the way she came running home with her tail between her legs. That girl has dreamed of her one true mate her entire life.”

“And I clearly have not lived up to that dream,” I finished for him, knowing it was true.

From upstairs Kelsey’s voice drifted down below. “He didn’t look like a douchebag at least.” And all the girls burst out in giggles.

I nodded my head and wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans.

“You’re aware the only time the words douche or douchebag are used in this house, it’s affectionately in reference to you?” Jason said, not even bothering to hide the humor from his voice.

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