I sigh, knowing Zane won this round. “I was telling him my worries that my mate might be human and how it would be terrible if I were stronger than him, and he proceeded to say how great it would be if I carried my mate over the threshold.”
My mother doesn’t react in the slightest. She carries a basket into the kitchen; I’m assuming she’ll use it later for something. “You have nothing to fear, Riley,evenif your mate is human. The mating bond is sacred; fate wouldn’t have given you a mate that’s not compatible.”
“Did you say combative because that sums our Riley up in a nutshell?” Zane says, walking into the kitchen and snagging an apple.
My mother whirls around with a wooden spoon in hand, wet from whatever it is she’s cooking on the stove top. “No more from you, either. This is Riley’s special day.” I smirk at Zane behind my mother’s back. He stares back, not remotelyimpressed. “Now, just for that, you can drive Riley and me to our appointment.”
I cackle at the look on my brother’s face.Busted,I mouth to him. He picks up his keys. “I have to be back to pick up Evie this afternoon.”
“We’ll be back in plenty of time,” my mother assures him as she grabs her phone and purse. “Ready?”
I’m not sure which of us she’s asking, but I respond anyway. “Yes.”
“All right. Let’s go.” My mother leads us out of the house, regal and poised as always. We follow her out to Zane’s truck, and I can’t help my grin when he hurries over to open my door, so I can climb in the backseat…and so he doesn’t get in trouble with my mom. Then he waits until my mom is fully settled before he walks over to his side of the truck.
“Where to?” he asks, once he’s inside. My mom gives him the address.
“Riley, I made us an appointment at the new nail salon in town. Stacie said they give the best pedicures.”
“Sounds good. What all needs to be done for tonight?” I ask, knowing she has a lot on her plate for the party tonight. Since I’m the alpha’s daughter, there will be more pack members than usual that show up. That doesn’t bother my mom, though; she has the gift of hospitality. She can whip up a meal, put out some fresh flowers, and set the table like a pro, making someone feel so incredibly special when they come over. I used to think everybody’s moms were that way, but then I learned differently. I’ve never taken my mom for granted; she’s the best mom a girl could ask for. I want to be like her when it’s my time to become a mom.
“I was able to get a lot of it done yesterday, so I didn’t have as much pressure for today. The meat is all marinating in the fridge for the grill. I prepped as much as I could for salads. Thecheesecakes are in the freezer, ready to be pulled out when we’re ready.”
“Mmm. I’m hungry.”
Zane’s eyes meet mine in the rearview. “You’re always hungry.”
I don’t even bother arguing, not when it’s the truth. “Zane, since you’re with us, are you going to breakfast with us?” I ask.
He snorts. “If I have to drive, I get to eat.”
I laugh. “It’s Riley’s special day, so she gets to decide,” our mom chimes in.
“She gets to decide what? Whether I get to eat or not?”
I laugh at the expression on my brother’s face. “You’d better be glad I took my nice pills today,” I say flicking his ear.
He knocks my hand away. “Stop it; you know I hate it when you do that.”
Which is precisely why I do it.
Zane pulls up in front of the breakfast place. “So, do I get to come eat with you both, or do I have to stay in the car and starve?”
“Come on, Mr. Dramatic, you can eat with us,” I tell him as I climb out of the truck.
We head inside and are seated at a table next to a window. “What are you getting, Riley?” my mother asks.
“One of everything; I’m starving.”
“I thought we already established that you’re always starving,” Zane butts in.
“Are you not eating enough at school?” My mother asks, looking worried.
“I’m fine; I’m just being dramatic.”
But she has her mother’s claws hooked into me now. “You never eat enough when you’re playing sports.”
“Well, I’m not currently playing sports,” I counter. “So, I’m good.”
