Mating Mal

by Kasey Belle

  “Mates?” Lada’s eyes went wide and her mouth dropped open then snapped shut. She frowned. Nick swore he could hear the gears turning as she mulled over Shane’s admission. She must have come to some decision because she stood as tall as her five-foot nothing frame would allow and crossed her arms over her chest. “I get how special this mate stuff is, but this―” She gestured back and forth between them. “―isn’t happening anytime soon.”

  “Damn straight,” Jennifer interjected. Her fierce expression made Nick think back to his original assessment of her. She looked ready to cut a bitch. “This is not happening. Especially not now. You two―” She jabbed a finger at Shane and Chris. “―keep it in your pants. She’s not your conquest. She’s sixteen. A minor.” She planted her hands on her hips and pinned Lada’s mates with a lethal glare. “You happen to hear what I did to that asshole Harold Webb?” Shane and Chris nodded. “If you even think about putting your penises anywhere near my daughter, I won’t kill you quickly like I did him. I’m will pull out my gun and begin popping off body parts starting with your toes then work my way up. For your sake I hope you bleed out before I make it to your dicks, because I don’t plan on stopping until I put a bullet in your brain.” Jennifer shrugged. “Your last moments on this earth won’t be pleasant.”

  “Mom!” Lada stared at her mother with wide shocked eyes, and she wasn’t the only one. “I just met them. Nobody’s doing anything with anyone’s body parts,” she whispered harshly. She returned her attention to her mates. “No offense. I mean you’re hot and all, like really, really hot. But, I don’t know you. Two. I’m still in high school and I don’t plan on being the only mated graduate. Three. There are things I want to do before I settle down. College. Establish my career. Travel. We can be friends, for now. Date, maybe.”

  “Friends sounds perfect, sprite,” Shane said with a wide, endearing smile. “Your offer of friendship is a gift and we truly cherish it.” Chris nodded with a smile that matched his mate’s. “We would love to date you, but until you come of age, all we can be is friends. Chris and I still have three years left at LSU. So, we understand having dreams. We want you to fulfill your every heart’s desire and we’ll wait, as long as it takes.” Lada breathed a sigh of relief her body relaxing at Shane’s impassioned words. “What do you say we table the bonded triad discussion for later? Perhaps, after we’ve gotten to know each other?”

  Christ brought Shane’s hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. “I think that’s an awesome plan, babe. What do you think, little bit? May we escort you downstairs and start working on that becoming friends thing?” Hope lit his eyes as he waited for her answer.

  Lada planted a hand on her cocked hip. Nick grinned. Miss Sassy was in residence. “Sprite and Little Bit? Are you inferring I’m short?” The nervous uncertainty on their faces said they weren’t sure if they should answer honestly or not. Lada giggled. “Oh, man you should see your faces. Priceless. Come on. You can help me wrangle Emma Grace.”

  Shane and Chris shared a look. “She’s going to be trouble,” Shane said wearing a wide grin.

  “The best kind, babe.”

  Shane gestured toward the door. “Shall we, sprite?”

  “Yep, we shall. Oh and you look really beautiful, Mom.” She headed toward the door with Shane and Chris hot on her heels. Lada called over her shoulder. “Hurry up. The grooms are waiting.”

  Nick stayed behind with the women. He knew the triad needed the limited alone time to establish a connection and start the bonding process even though their relationship would be platonic for a few years.

  Jennifer dropped her head back and groaned. Fiona hugged Jennifer’s waist and smiled up at her. “You ready to get hitched?”

  Nick grinned at the picture they made. Fiona looked like a child smuggling a beach ball standing next to an Amazon.

  “No, I’m not. I want to talk about that or stop it.” Jennifer gestured at the door Copper Creek’s latest trio left through. She stared intently at the piece of oak as if she could make Lada reappear.

  Nick felt for her. Your teenage daughter meeting her two mates wasn’t exactly an event a human bride envisioned happening on her wedding day. He cleared his throat. The women jumped as if they forgot he was there. “Sorry, gorgeous. Now isn’t the time to discuss your daughter’s new mates.” He flashed her a cheeky grin. “Save all that angst for later when you can share it with her fathers. I’m heading down and y’all need to take your places. It’s time. Don’t forget to listen for my cue.”

  Jennifer pulled him into a strong hug. “I really appreciate you lending your musical talents.”

  Nick stepped back and took her hands in his. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m honored you asked.”

  Chapter 34

  Declan had several pack members move his mother’s piano to the back deck. Nick pulled out the bench and sat. He was a little nervous. The last thing he wanted to do was hit a wrong note and mess up what he knew would be a perfect day. He felt Mal’s eyes on him and smiled. He looked over and sure enough his mate was staring at him. Nick blew him a kiss.

  “Are you okay, my Nico?” Mal asked through their mental link.

  “A little nervous but good.”

  “You’re going to do great. I love you.”

  “Thank you. I love you, too. I’ll be over to sit with you after Jen makes it to the altar.” Which wouldn’t take long.

  The triad opted for a wedding party that consisted only of the three of them, plus Lada and Emma Grace. Jennifer was good friends with all the women and Gunnar was close with many of the men including his new brothers so any additional groomsman or bridesmaid roles would have been easily filled. So, their choice to keep it simple surprised Nick. When he mentioned it, Kell explained that any additional wedding party roles and large guest list would be too one-sided―his side―and would only serve as a reminder to Gunnar and Jennifer that without the pack they were basically alone in the world. He didn’t want anything to put a damper on a day he felt was equally important to both Gunnar and Jennifer. In the grand scheme of things, the size of the wedding didn’t matter marrying Jennifer did. Nick thought that was the sweetest and most romantic thing he’d ever heard. He mentioned as much and Kell frowned and postured then asked him to never use the word romantic and Gunnar in the same sentence. After that, Nick thought it was best to keep the fact that he thought Kell was a giant teddy bear with a squishy marshmallow center to himself.

  Nick placed his fingers on the keys and began to play. Emma Grace stepped from the house. Ooh’s and aah’s filtered from the congregation. She made the perfect flower girl in her asymmetric royal blue satin dress with sequined sash, layered organza ruffles and sparkly bedazzled royal blue cowgirl boots. She bounded down the steps with a big smile. She grabbed a handful of red rose petals, tossed them onto the white runner, then waved at everyone. Grab. Toss. Wave. Repeat. She was clearly in her element. When she reached the altar, Emma Grace took her seat next to Cade and Fiona in the front row.

  Lada stepped from the house and Nick noticed she’d added a faux fur royal blue bolero to her ensemble. Her fathers smiled and winked at her and she shot them a little wave. She gracefully descended the steps and slowly made her way up the aisle as her mother’s Maid of Honor. Nick heard the low rumbling growls coming from Shane and Chris. He fought laughter when Kell and Gunnar’s eyes narrowed and brows furrowed and they frowned at the young men. There was going to be an interesting conversation later and Nick couldn’t wait to see it. Lada took her place opposite her new dads.

  Nick stopped playing. The pause in the music was Jennifer’s cue. He began again, playing the bride’s chosen song, Forever I Do. The French doors opened. Nick glanced at the altar needing to see Kell and Gunnar’s faces when they saw their mate. Declan stepped out with Jennifer on his arm. Everyone gasped. Statuesque was an excellent way to describe Jennifer. Head held high, shoulders back, rocking her Sophia Tolli and blinged out stilettos, Jennifer looked as if she’d stepped
from the pages of a bridal magazine. Kell and Gunnar seemed to stand a bit taller when they saw her. Pride for their woman.

  Declan escorted the bride down the aisle standing in for Jennifer’s father who, along with her mother, died years ago. It was easy to see where Lada got her confidence from especially now as he watched Jennifer make her way to the altar. Her mate’s faces lit up with elation the closer she got to them.

  Declan gave her a hand up and Jennifer joined her mates on the dais. Paul stepped forward and Nick wound the song down. While Paul introduced the triad, Nick moved quickly. He slid into the seat next to his mate. Mal wrapped an arm around Nick and tucked him to his side.

  Paul explained that he would first officiate the legal marriage between Jennifer and Kell, then at the bride’s request, he would perform a binding ceremony her and Gunnar. Then in a deep authoritative voice Paul asked, “Who gives this bride to be married?”

  Lada stepped forward. “I do. However―” She made a ‘V’ with her fingers pointed at her eyes then at Kell and Gunnar in a universal I’ll be watching you gesture. Everyone in attendance hooted laughter.

  Nick laid his head on Mal’s shoulder needing to be close to his mate as Jennifer exchanged vows with Kell and Gunnar. He fought tears as he watched his new brothers join publicly with their one true love. In his heart, Nick secretly recited those same vows to Mal promising to love and cherish him forever. Even though they were bound and blessed by the Fates, it felt right.

  Nick would rush back to the piano as soon as Paul pronounced the triad officially married.

  After the ceremony, Nick and Mal made their way across the yard to the tent. Mal’s parents were already seated with Leo. They joined their family at one of the tables. Unlike Cathy’s wedding, this one was a small, intimate affair with barely fifty people in attendance made up of family and close friends and pack members. Nick thought it was pretty fucking perfect.

  As he glanced around, Nick thought about how much his and Leo’s life had changed since they arrived in Copper Creek. They were free to come and go as they pleased, no longer looking over his shoulder. His uncle was dead and those loyal to him were no longer a threat. The council agreed with him and Mal that Shenandoah River should be dissolved. The council took it upon themselves to do the same to New River Pack. Those still residing in Shenandoah who were loyal to the council and Nick’s father were provided with a new pack family. The council raided the meth labs, destroyed them and arrested half of Shenandoah and New River Packs. The remaining pack members, those loyal to Craden Speer and the poison they cooked, refused to give up peacefully. The council sent in an operations team of emissaries and enforcers to eliminate the problem.

  Hunter and Alan had volunteered to make the trip to Virginia and search for the missing contents of the house he shared with his sister and Daniel. They didn’t find everything, but they recovered what was most important. Summer’s computer, photographs of Summer and Daniel, and Nick’s parents, Summer’s journal, and Leo’s baby book.

  During the search of his uncle’s house, Hunter and Alan also discovered Craden Speers ledgers and documents for the drug business he shared with Alpha Sutter, as well as a secret ledger in the false bottom of his desk drawer. That ledger was connected to a business venture selling something even more lucrative and horrific than meth. His uncle had been a part of a trafficking ring dealing in both humans and shifters. They were still working with the authorities and council to track down the victims and rescue them. Several had already been reunited with their families.

  Operation Love My Kitten As Much As I Do was a resounding success. Every evening Po climbed into Mal’s lap and curled into a little kitten ball. Mal acted like he only tolerated their fur baby. However, Nick knew Mal loved him. He’d had caught Mal more than once sneaking Po his favorite treats and lovingly rubbing Po’s favorite spot―between his ears.

  Leo was crawling and getting into everything that wasn’t locked or bolted down. Po thought he was the weirdest hairless cat he’d ever seen. He and Mal filed papers to adopt Leo. The adoption should be official by Christmas.

  Nick had five fulltime students within the pack including Emma Grace. She was his star pupil. She had a natural affinity for the piano and had easily learned the simple song she wanted to play for the new baby who was due to be born in a month. They were currently working on Christmas carols.

  He was also studying for his GED and would take the test in December. It wasn’t a high school diploma, but it was the next best thing. He didn’t have aspirations to attend college or gain a degree, obtaining his GED was just something Nick had to do for himself. The boy inside him that missed out on being a normal teenager because he was too busy surviving and running for his life needed that piece of paper. He had to erase the incomplete on his academic record so the boy inside him could move on and stop feeling less than. His mate was extremely supportive and understood this would help heal another piece of his soul.

  Nick smiled at trio who would one day become a mated triad. Shane, Chris, and Lada stood by the chocolate fountain chatting and laughing. He felt both happy for and protective of the young woman he’d come to love and cherish. He and Lada had grown close over the past the few months. Nick loved her blunt honesty, snark, and sassy mouth. She was so damn sweet; you couldn’t get mad at her when she turned that mouth on you. Plus, Leo loved her. His little pudgy face lit up whenever he saw her. Nick loved Lada for that alone. She was bright, athletic, responsible, and possessed a natural instinct when it came to childcare. She had an amazing future ahead of her. He knew her mates would make sure she fulfilled her dreams. At least they better or they’d answer to him.

  Mal nuzzled his ear. “What has you looking so fierce, baby?”

  Nick nodded at the trio now walking their way. “I was thinking they better do right by her or it won’t end well for them.”

  Mal chuckled. “You know they will. It’s the way of mates.”

  “Sex is forbidden for members under eighteen including mates,” Fiona’s annoyed tone caught his and Mal’s attention. They turned and faced the table next to them where Fiona and Jennifer sat with their mates.

  “They will not claim her without her consent and your blessing. Mating’s usually aren’t blessed until all involved are twenty-one. So you have a few years. There are some exceptions, of course. The decisions, regarding those exceptions, are left up to the mates’ parents and the alpha. Shane and Chris will be her best friends, her confidants, her protectors, and her biggest supporters. Lada will fulfill her dreams to heart’s desire. I promise.”

  “You know that was quite the impassioned speech for someone who still hasn’t come to terms with the fact that her four-year-old daughter has already met her mates.”

  Fiona scoffed and waved off Jennifer’s observation. “Feel as I say, not as I do.”

  “Ah, That old double standard.” Jennifer rolled her eyes. “Look, I want a better life for Lada than the one I had. Saying it was tough having a baby at fifteen is an understatement. I don’t regret having her. I sure as shit don’t regret keeping her. She’s my greatest joy. I just don’t want that for her.”

  “She won’t be birthing any babies. I swear.”

  Jennifer snorted in disbelief. “I have two mates. That kind of desire isn’t easily ignored. You got a closet around here stocked full of Everlast chastity belts or something?”

  “Noooo. It’s called alpha dictate,” Fiona stated. “Declan’s word is law. It’s highly effective and far more comfortable than the old iron cockblocker.”

  Jennifer shook her head and a crooked smile played across her lips. “I get that alpha dictate works on shifters, but Lada is human. She has free will. There is no way to stop kids from having sex before they’re eighteen if they want it bad enough.”

  “That’s not true,” Declan replied. “Lada may be human, but she is also a member of my pack. She’s blessed by the Fates. Therefore, her body and mind will instinctively submit to her alpha. She will follow
my orders without question.”

  “Seriously?” Jennifer asked incredulously.

  Declan responded with a smug grin.

  Cathy pulled up a chair and bumped Jennifer’s shoulder with her own. “Still, the Everlast chastity belts comment was a nice visual.” The women giggled.

  Shane and Chris joined them. Shane pulled out a chair for Lada making sure she was seated before he and Chris took theirs. “Ms. Jennifer? Chris and I would never do anything to break your trust.” He glanced at Kell and Gunnar. “Even after she’s of age, we wouldn’t pursue a mating unless it was what Lada wanted. We would protect her with our lives even from ourselves. We respect and honor our alpha and would never betray him by renouncing his power over us and breaking his law.”

  Jennifer looked at her mates then returned her attention to Shane, Chris, and Lada. “Friends. That’s it for now. Remember what I said.”

  Shane and Chris’s eyes grew wide, and they nodded.

  Lada, not the least bit phased by her mother’s threat, rolled her eyes. “Thanks, Mom.”

  Confusion marred Kell’s face. “What did you say?” He lifted his eyebrows, waiting for an answer.

  “Go ahead, Mom. Tell the dads what you told Shane and Chris.” Lada leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms over her chest, smiling like the Cheshire Cat.

  Fiona held out a hand. “Hold up. You can regale your mates with that epic tale in a minute. I have a question.” She tilted her head. Her eyes bounced back and forth from Chris to Shane, finally coming to rest on Chris. “You growled earlier. Like full on wolf growl. How is that possible? You’re human.”

  “I am well aware of that fact, Fee,” he teased. Fiona shot him a look that said she didn’t appreciate it. “As you know when a shifter claims a human, they transfer some of their shifter qualities to their human mate and changes their physiology, healing properties, enhanced senses, lifespan, etc. But, Shane is not only my mate, he is also my triad partner. His DNA gives me a few extra perks.” Chris winked at Fiona.