Page 4 of Mismatched Mates

“You need a professional.”

“Did I say I was being serious?”

“And for once, so am I! Please follow along closely. Do you know anyone who used aprofessionalto find a date?”

I froze, fingers poised over my laptop’s keys. The blood was sluggish in my veins, and every instinct rebelled against the idea. My mom, Luke’s kids and I had ganged up to guilt Luke into using Victory Matchmaking, and despite our initial reservations, the match had been wildly successful.

Victoria was human, but also Luke’s mate. She made him happy and that was what mattered.

But the very idea that I’d need to use a matchmaking service to find a partner grated. Like I somehow wasn’t enough to find one on my own.

Now you know how Luke felt.

“Absolutely not!” I sputtered.

“Okay, buckle up, Nutcracker, because I’m only going to say this once.” Heather paused dramatically for emphasis. “You are, and I say this with love, a control freak. A beautiful control freak with a heart of gold… deep,deepdown.”

The next part came out in one rushed breath. “And I’m not saying you need a partner, although I think it would dowondersfor your stress levels if you could get yourneedsmet, but I guarantee you’re not about to find someone at home alone with your spreadsheets and emails and whatever else you categorize as fun. Plus,” she added, wheedling a little now, “think how mad it would make Jason.”

That partwastempting.

“Besides,” she said, “what could go wrong?”

GRANT

If your alpha ever requested a private sit-down, it usually spelled trouble. And if that alpha also happened to be your father, well, brace yourself for impact.

In public, Vince Elston mastered the role of the stern yet approachable businessman, crafting an image of integrity and reliability. He effortlessly presented himself as a strong leader and a devoted father, grooming his sons to carry on his legacy.

He established Sentinel after an accident turned him into a shifter while serving in the army. He and the other shifter soldiers, operated within covert division known as MASK.

After his time in the military, he utilized his shapeshifting abilities to gain an advantage in lucrative mercenary work, ultimately amassing a fortune.

He led a life that seemed noble on the outside.In private, however, he dropped the good-guy act. Especially to me, his eldest son and biggest failure. After the crime of being born to a woman who wasn’t his mate, my future was set.

Even if I found a way to carry the weight of Sentinel all on my own, he would always manage to paint me as a letdown.

I rapped my knuckles against the door.

"Enter," came the sharp bark from within.

"Ah, Grant," my father said, his voice clipped and judgmental. "Sit."

I complied, sinking into the stiff chair across from his desk. My wolf stirred restlessly in my chest, muscles coiling tight with tension. I wanted nothing more than to turn tail and run, but I forced myself to meet my father's steely gaze.

"You wanted to see me?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral.

If there’d ever been a time he’d welcomed me with a smile, I couldn’t remember it. And that should’ve bothered me less by now, but it still landed like a punch every time.

“Do you know why I’ve called you in this time?” he asked.

I shifted in the uncomfortable chair, refusing to let him get to me. Or at least, refusing to let it show.

“I’m confident you’re about to tell me.”

His lips pressed together tightly, his posture rigid. He needed a reminder he’d left the military behind; there was no need to be so uptight.

"Your recent behavior has been... disappointing," he began, the last word carefully chosen to cut deep.

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