Fated to Be Family(24)

“Of course. Be right back.” Nic turned and starting pouring espresso shots into cups.

Rian and Damian settled the boys into two of the shop’s highchairs and scooted them between the two barstools. Rian’s phone buzzed. He checked his text and smiled before sending one back. He then hit a contact on his phone and hit send.

“Hey, Zane I need a favor. If I place an order, can you pick it up tomorrow? You can take on any hyena, Zane. It’s why I called you… Yup. I’ll text you with the details later. Thanks, bello! Ciao.” Rian then squealed when Nic placed his drink in front of him.

“What was that about?” Damian asked.

“Kate needs me to order some stuff for her,” he said, sighing happily as he sipped his mocha. He then turned to Landon. “Now we’re going to learn about coffee.”

Damian groaned.



* * * *



“Was I wrong? I mean I know it’s soon in the mating and all. But, I thought that, you know, they would be mine. I didn’t mean to cross any lines or anything.” Kate knew she was rambling but couldn’t seem to stop herself.

“Kate, honey, sit down,” Rebecca said from behind the circulation desk at the library.

“Everything will be fine. You’ll see. Caleb is a great guy. I think what you said just surprised him. I mean he moved himself and the boys into the Pack house and completed the claiming, so you know he’s on board with this mating.”

“What if I screwed everything up being presumptuous? I mean he never said I could use the “M” word.” Kate straightened all the books on the counter until they lined up perfectly.

“Hun, your OCD is coming out. Maybe some ice cream would help,” Ashby offered.

“The Xanax-flavored one maybe,” Nic said and Ashby slapped his arm.

“Kate, please sit down. I can feel your anxiety through our bond and it’s making my tummy feel weird.” Rebecca looked a little pale.

“Oh God! Anything but that!” Ashby said, frantically digging through his pockets. His hand came out with a tiny green rock that he handed Rebecca, who immediately popped in her mouth.

“What did you just give her?” Kate asked as Rebecca leaned back and began to chew slowly.

“Well, she had such great results with the ginger mint tea, we kinda made mint-wrapped pieces of ginger with a sugar glaze on it. That way we can carry them around.” Ashby pulled out a bag filled with what looked like small rocks.

“What if he doesn’t want me to be their mama?” Kate asked quietly.

Rebecca opened her eyes and looked at Kate. “Kate, he’d be an idiot not to want you to be their mother and he doesn’t seem like an idiot.”

Kate smiled. “You always think the best of everyone.” Kate took a seat at the counter. For some reason just being around Ashby, Nicholas, and Rebecca made her feel more calm and together.

“Not true! I don’t like the hyenas!” Rebecca argued.

Kate smiled. “Hun, no one likes them right now, considering they are responsible for mass genocide,” Kate said wryly.“While we’re here, we need to have a group meeting to discuss Ashby wanting to go back to Purgatory.” Nicholas frowned at his best friend.

“Gabriel wants me to come back for a visit. He feels really bad about what happened the last time I was there,” Ashby said, blushing.

“I didn’t get an invitation back,” Rebecca said, looking at Ashby closely.

“That’s because he doesn’t want to sleep with you and chomp on your neck,” Nic said, exasperated.

“We don’t know that for sure, Nic! That man is like a God. He could have any guy he wanted. I’m sure he’s just being nice. That’s all.” Ashby flipped through one of the books on the desk to be checked back in.

Kate saw Rebecca and Nic’s eyes meet with identical looks of concern of their faces before they turned and looked at her. Kate could feel the attraction that Ashby had for the handsome vampire. She could also feel the growing sense of unease from Rebecca and Nic about this budding attraction.

“Just don’t go off on your own,” Nic said, looking worried.

“Okay, okay,” Ashby said, still looking down at the book. Nic’s eyes narrowed and he was about to say something when Emmett, Aleks’s younger brother, started heading toward them.

“Dammit, Rebecca, I’m not going out there anymore while they are still here!” Emmett strode up to the counter, one hand rubbing his backside.

“Emmett, what in the world is the matter!” Rebecca exclaimed.

Emmett looked at Ashby, Nic, and Kate standing there and a slow blush worked its way up his neck.