Page 34 of Tolerated By the Sigma (Mate Hunt 7)

Yeah, I was starting to hate that term even more with each passing day.

I was his second-place ribbon, second bite of chocolate cake, the second woman he’d kissed, and touched, and bitten…

Yay.

Second freakin’ place.

Woohoo.

My stomach clenched a bit.

“Mom, dad, this is Char.” He gestured toward me, ignoring the whole “second mate” thing. Honestly, that was probably for the better; ignoring it.

“Hi.” I awkwardly shoved a hand toward them.

His mom threw her arms around me without shaking my hand, and I barely moved the damn thing out of the way before she squished it between us. “His wolf really did a number on your neck,” she said, sounding a bit teary. I felt a bit of wetness on my shoulder, and decided she was definitely teary.

“That’s what I keep saying,” I said, my voice muffled by his mom’s shoulder.

She laughed into my hair. “Bastard.”

“Definitely.”

She pulled away, and I felt a bit less awkward.

Wiping a few tears away, she said, “You saved his life, Char. I know you didn’t have a choice in the matter, but thank you so much. Can I bring you dinner? Do you need food? I know Del’s handling your students at the school until you’re through the mating process, but there’s got to be something else I can do for you.”

“We’re good, Mom.” Ryder’s voice was a bit gruff, but not in his wolf’s typical possessive way.

Her face immediately fell, and I interrupted, “We could do dinner at your place tomorrow night, if that works for you? And I’m always up for leftovers; leftovers make the world go ‘round.”

Her lips parted in a massive smile. “I can see if Rocco and Del want to come, too. Your pack might get grumpy with me for stealing so many of their members, but they’ll survive.” She winked at me.

Shit, I’d forgotten that grown packs had dinner together every night. It had been too long since I was a part of one, and even when I had been a part of one, we had all still been living with our parents, so we had dinner with our families and their packs most nights.

“They’ll survive,” Ozzy said, flashing me a grin. “It’s nice to meet you, Charly. Kind of funny that my son’s now mated to my only competition in town.”

I flashed him a grin. “Vi nevertriesto poach your customers.”

“Hey, I’m not upset about it. People see one of her houses, and then ask me to replicate one area or another in their own, and then eventually realize they want an entire home done in her style. So, we both win.” His grin widened. “But you should let her know that we can help out if she ever doesn’t feel like doing one or two renovations on her own.”

“You know, she really hates doing tile. I bet I can convince her to take you up on that; it would definitely make her mate happier not to hear her complaining about it every time she gets to that point in a house.”

Ozzy laughed. “Can’t say I blame her, but we’d be happy to take care of that.”

“Alright, I’ll let her know.” I grinned back at him. “Do you guys want to come in?”

I gestured inside, and Ryder’s grip on my hip tightened almost uncomfortably. Any tighter, and his nails would’ve been digging into my skin.

“Oh, we’re okay. I’m sure you two have lots to discuss.” His mom’s smile brightened. “Welcome to the family, Char.”

“Thank you,” I said, and surprisingly enough, I meant it.

Ryder’s parents headed back out to the old truck I saw parked in the driveway, and he tugged me backward, into the house. My back hit the door, and his hand cupped my face, tilting my head so that our eyes collided.

“You’re too nice for me,” Ryder growled at me, his empty hand catching my wrist and lifting it up so he could pin it above my head.

“I’d say I’m just nice enough,” I countered. “My wolf seems to submit to yours, which is probably a good thing.”

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