Fated to Be Family(3)

Normally this group-home scenario didn’t bother Kate. However, there was a small faction in the pack that did not like her. Mostly one couple that had planned on getting their daughter mated to the Alpha. Kate had effectively destroyed their plans for upward mobility in the pack. Today’s headache: a rehashing of why Kate should not be tied to Rebecca, thus putting Rebecca in a dominant position in the pack as Alpha Mother.

“She isn’t even a shifter, not that being a bear would be better. A human should not have such a high rank in the pack,” the loud voice complained.

She didn’t even have to look up from her coffee. It was Arthur Raymond, the father of Cecelia Raymond. Cecelia was actually very sweet and quiet. Kate had a feeling that she was going along with her parents to appease them, rather than having any desire to be Alpha Mate or be with Bran. Arthur and his wife, Beverly, were nothing but pains in her ass. They were constantly criticizing every small thing she did. She was tired of it.

“Kate,” Bran said, sounding amused.

Damn. She must have been growling again without realizing it. She looked up and smiled at him before turning to Arthur.

“The pack has always taken direction and advice from the Alpha Mother. My bond with Rebecca will only strengthen the ties between the Pack and the Arkadions. This is a good thing for us,” Kate explained.

“I don’t remember talking to you.” Arthur sniffed and turned his head back toward Bran.

She began to growl loudly. “Do you wish to challenge me?” she demanded. He turned pale and looked at Bran, who now looked equally pissed off.

“Don’t look at me! Your Alpha is addressing you,” Bran said.

“But you’re my Alpha,” Arthur complained.

“So is my mate!” Bran said. “It’s time for your family to realize that and give her the respect due to her. My patience on this matter is gone. You have had time to adjust. Tell your family to start acting accordingly or get the fuck out of my Pack.”

“This is our home, too!” Arthur argued.

“Then you better start acting like this is your home and respect your Alphas,” Bran growled.

“I will leave this for now. Maybe we can talk later.” Arthur stood and walked out.

Kate’s mouth dropped. “Doesn’t he know that’s the same as saying, ‘I’ll talk to you when she isn’t around’?”

Bran sighed and rubbed his temples. He had a feeling this problem would not be going away easily.

“I wish I could just eat that fucker,” Riley Conrad said from the corner of the room where he was standing guard.

Kate smiled. “I bet he would taste nasty.” She laughed and made faces.

“Bran, when you and Kate head to the diner, could you check on Caleb Donovan? It would save me a trip into town. Mojo said Caleb didn’t go into the bar last night and he hasn’t missed a day since he started there.” Riley rolled his eyes when Kate giggled at Mojo’s name. She laughed every time she heard it.

“Really? Is it still funny?” he asked her.

“Come on! I can’t be the only one who thinks it’s cute. Moe Jones. Mojo. And he shifts into a spider monkey? Hello? Ya’ll never watched the Powerpuff Girls, did you?” she asked. Bran and Riley both shuddered.

“Come on, Puff girl, let’s get some food,” Bran said, taking her hand.

“Mojo,” she said, laughing again.

Bran rolled his eyes and headed for the door.



* * * *



“Sooo, Rian, do you know where I can get more of that lingerie you ordered for me for the wedding?” Kate asked as she plowed through her second stack of pancakes.

Damn, Connor Arkadion could cook. She looked up to where Bran was talking to Liam and Connor at the counter. She always loved the fifties-style diner. It always made her feel as though she had stepped back in time, though all of the chrome must be a bitch to keep clean. She looked back to her best friend, Rian Stafford, as he leered at her.

“You got fucked to within an inch of your life last night, didn’t you?” Rian asked, raising an eyebrow. He was flipping through the pages of a fashion magazine and as usual lamenting the lack of decent shopping in the area.

“Yup and it so needs to happen again,” she said, winking. She pulled down the collar of her shirt to reveal new bite marks.

“I’ll help you with that on one condition,” Rian said slyly.

Kate narrowed her eyes. “What?” she asked suspiciously.

“You let me give you a full makeover, mani, pedi, hair, makeup and wardrobe. The works!” he said, bouncing.

She eyed him cautiously. “You can’t cut my hair and nothing but a French manicure for my hands. I hate colored nail polish for my fingers. You keep pink to a minimum, no frills or sequins. I retain the right to veto anything if I really hate it. If you can do all that, deal.” She braced for impact. Sure enough, Rian gave an undignified squeal and launched himself into her arms.