Page 32 of Mismatched Mates

“Believe me, I have two sons. I’m used to having someone fight back at the most basic of instructions.”

“Yeah, but could they take your head off with a single kick?”

“You’d be surprised.”

I chuckled, leaning back against the seat. “They sound fun. How old are they?”

“Nine.”

“Huh.” Sucking my teeth, I thought about what Konrad and I had been like as kids. “That must be tough.”

“I make it work. Jason is…” Her fingers squeezed mine, betraying her outward nonchalance. “In some ways, it’s better that he’s not involved with the kids at all now, because it’s made the transition easier. They’re still at home all the time, I know where they are and what they’re doing and how they’re eating, and I never have to miss them. I also have my family around, and they’re amazing. My mom takes over whenever I have to work, picks them up from soccer practice, all that stuff.”

“Wait,” I said, twisting to face her, anger boiling in my gut. “Did you say your ex doesn’t have anything to do with the kids at all?”

“Not really. He left for someone younger and prettier—the grass was greener, I guess—and left the family he’d made behind.”

“Bullshit.”

“What?”

“The grass is greener where you water it, and whoever this girl is, she might be younger but she sure as hell isn’t prettier.” I wasn’t exactly sure when I’d come to this realization, but Jane was hands down the most gorgeous woman I’d ever met. “And you know what? As a kid, I would’ve killed for a mom like you.”

She swallowed so hard I heard it through the darkness. “Don’t.”

“I’m serious, Jane. He wasluckyto have you.” And at the thought of him having her the way I’d had her, the anger turned into something darker, and a growl slipped through my lips.

What the hell?

She was silent for a few long beats, and I thought I’d gone too far, maybe messed up the dynamic by calling her the kind ofmom I’d wanted. But then she leaned across to put her head on my shoulder.

“You know,” she said quietly, “I think your Father’s making a mistake by not making you alpha.”

“He wouldn’t agree with you.”

“Then maybe he never got to see the person I’m seeing right now.” She shrugged and her mouth ghosted across my neck. “I’m not a wolf and I’m not in your pack. I’m just calling it how I see it.”

Her words hit me harder than I expected, and for a moment, I felt like a kid again, that same boy craving approval, waiting for someone—anyone—to really see me.

I didn’t deserve her. But right then, right there, I wanted to learn how to.

I stroked her hair. So soft. “Thanks for being my date tonight,” I murmured.

I felt the way her lips curved, still pressed against my neck. “You know, I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy it, but it was my pleasure.”

GRANT

The charity gala's glittering lights bounced off the polished chrome of the Porsche as I pulled up to the valet stand. Konrad whistled low, eyeing the opulent venue.

"Father really knows how to punish you, doesn't he? Forcing you to attend this swanky event, rubbing elbows with Pine River's elite."

I snorted, handing my keys to the valet. "Yeah, real torture. Though I'd rather be anywhere else."

Konrad clapped me on the shoulder as we ascended the marble steps. "That's why I'm here, big brother. Moral support and all that."

"You mean to keep me from bolting?" I quirked an eyebrow at him.

He grinned. "That too."

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