“What? No male wolf holds onto his virginity like you have. For a while, I thought maybe you were gay, and we’d have to find a surrogate,” she teases.
“Mom,” I grumble, rubbing my face with my hands. Of course she knows everything. This woman is impossible.
“Either way would have been fine with me, but I like Kennedy. She’s good for you. You’ve had it too easy for too long, with everyone kissing your ass. That girl will keep your ego in check.”
“That she does, exceptionally well. But I have no idea what I’m doing. I’ve never dated before. What if I screw up and piss her off again?”
“Oh, baby, that’s guaranteed to happen at some point. No need to worry about it before it even happens. Now sit down. Are they on their way?”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I mutter. “Bennet said he’d let me know when they were coming, but I haven’t heard from him.”
“Did you think to check with her? You can mindlink her now, and she has one of those newfangled phones,” my mom replies with a sly grin. Great. Now she’s mocking me. But she’s not wrong.
I pull out my phone, fingers hovering over the screen as I start a message to Kennedy. I type a few lines, then delete them, unsure how to break the ice. My mom chuckles at my awkwardness, and suddenly I know exactly what to say.
Me: Please save me…
Kennedy: What could you possibly need saving from?
Me: My mother…
Kennedy: ??
Kennedy: Glad to see you know how to use your phone.
Me: Hurry… she’s in a plotting mood.
Kennedy: Isn’t she always plotting something?
Me: Fair… but do you want her plotting grandkids?
Kennedy: Touch?! Bennet says we’ll be there in five.
Just as she finishes, I hear the SUV crunching down the cleared path, right on time. I rush outside to meet them, my mother’s laughter trailing behind me. At least Kennedy comes straight to me, wrapping her arms around my neck, and I love how natural it feels.
“I honestly thought you might run to hug my mom first,” I whisper in her ear.
“I almost did, just to see how you’d react,” she laughs softly.
I pull back to look into her eyes. “So sassy.”
Her amusement shifts instantly into something hotter, more intense.
“What are you going to do about it?” she challenges.
I growl low in response, but we’re interrupted by my mother reminding us we’re not alone.
“You can give him a good scolding later. Right now, I’m starving**let’s eat!” She chuckled as she and Bennet stepped inside the cozy cottage.
The lunch was nothing short of wonderful. We learned that my father was expected back from his travels within the next couple of days. Interestingly, he might be even more excited than my mother to finally meet Kennedy. My mom has this natural charm that effortlessly draws people in. Just like Bennet, she had Kennedy opening up about her childhood**growing up with the knowledge of werewolves and pack life, yet not fully part of it until a few years ago.
I discovered so much about Kennedy during our time together. For instance, Christmas is her favorite holiday. Although we each have our small family gatherings, our work never truly stops. The stories Kennedy told about Silver Crescent left me convinced that our modest traditions are bound to change dramatically next year. Still, I’d do just about anything to keep that sparkle alive in her eyes and the warm smile she directs at me.
When it was time to leave, after countless hugs and repeated goodbyes, we began to head out. But Kennedy suddenly hesitated.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, noticing her discomfort. Everything had been perfect just moments before, so I wasn’t sure what had shifted.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.