Page 54 of Mismatched Mates

My eyes met Luke's, and I saw the knowing smirk on his face. "What?" I challenged.

"Oh, nothing," he said innocently. "Just thinking about how right I was."

I groaned. "Don't let it go to your head."

As the boys chattered excitedly and my family tried and failed to act casual, I felt Grant's steady presence beside me.

It was terrifying. Exhilarating. And completely unexpected.

I didn't know what the future held. There were still a thousand obstacles to overcome, from Grant's family drama to my own trust issues. But standing there, surrounded by the chaos of my little family, with Grant's hand in mine, I realized something.

I was ready to find out.

EPILOGUE

Three months later

The front door burst open with a bang that rattled the windows, and in tumbled my boys, a whirlwind of muddy sneakers and breathless excitement.

"Mom! Mom! You won't believe what we did today!" Lance's voice cracked with enthusiasm as he bounced on his toes, his hair sticking up in all directions.

Brandon, not to be outdone, chimed in, "It was epic! We climbed trees and?—"

"—found this really cool rock formation!" Lance finished, their words tumbling over each.“It wassomuch fun! Like, so much fun.”

I glanced from the twins to Grant’s face. The guarded wolf I'd first met was still there, but he'd softened around the edges. His smiles came easier, his posture more relaxed. And the way he was with my boys... it was everything I'd ever wanted for them. “How far did y’all go?”

“We wentsofar,” Brandon said. “Grant said we’re the fastest nine-year-olds he’s ever seen.”

“I thought that was your coach?”

“It wasbothof them,” Lance said. “And we got to ride on his back through the forest!"

My eyebrows shot up, and I glanced at Grant, who was leaning against the doorframe with a quiet smile that was equal parts sheepish and proud. We’d graduated to him taking the boys out without me.

Brandon, usually the quieter of the two, chimed in. "It was awesome, Mom! He was so fast, like a rocket!"

“I can see my father’s face now—if he knew I was giving rides to bears on my back,” Grant mused, his wiggling eyebrows saying everything his words didn’t.

"Alright, you little wolf riders," I said, putting on my best mock-serious tone. "Time to clean up. Those nails are looking more bear than human right now."

The boys groaned in unison, but the excitement was still bubbling over as they trudged towards the stairs. "Can we go again tomorrow?" Lance called over his shoulder.

"We'll see," I replied, knowing full well that 'we'll see' was parent code for 'probably not, but I don't want to deal with the argument right now.'

Grant leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. “They had fun,” he said quietly. “Showed them some wolf-pack places and told them to keep it on the down low.”

“They’ll tell all their bear friends within the week.”

“I know, but I’d gotten permission to show them, so it’s fine.” His eyes crinkled as he smiled. “They’re good kids.”

I leaned in and kissed him. It was meant to be a quick peck, a silent thank you, but it lingered. When we finally pulled apart, I saw a question in his eyes.

"What was that for?" he asked softly.

I shrugged, suddenly feeling a bit self-conscious. "For being here. For them. For... stepping up where Jason never did."

So much had happened in the three months we’d officially been together, but at the same time it felt languid, and easy.

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