The Contrary Mate

It was only when I arrived at breakfast the next morning that I discovered that the local media had gotten hold of some of the gossip about my fight. Kylie was feeding Nadia some pureed orange goop while the baby proceeded to grab for the spoon and spread anything she caught all over herself, with a real focus on her previously light brown curls. Lys was watching the chaos the baby produced with an amused half smile. I thought it was funny, too, but hid my reaction since Kylie's forehead was furrowed in frustration.

Vander was on his phone, seemingly oblivious to his child's antics. "Jack, what happened after we left last night?" he asked, his eyes widening at his screen, before meeting mine questioningly and widening even more when he saw the bruises on my face. Most of the pain and swelling had gone down, but I definitely did not look like I had come out unscathed.

"What are they saying?" Lenora was going to murder me, right after the shareholders got done with me.

His eyes scanned the article. "You saved a woman from being assaulted outside the gala? Is she your mate?"

Maybe making my funeral arrangements was a bit premature. While this was far less problematic than the truth that I had very nearly given into temptation, the idea they were painting me as a hero for last night's debacle made me feel sick, or maybe it was more to do with all the fairy juice I had drank after I'd gotten home last night to try to numb the pain—of my ego. I groaned. "She is not. And they missed the mark a bit, but more or less."

Vander didn't look satisfied with my answer. I ignored the understanding on the two women's faces and shot him an expression that he hopefully understood to mean I would tell him later, and it seemed he did because he let the topic go.

Kylie smiled sympathetically at me, and while she was distracted Nadia grabbed the entire bowl and proceeded to dump it down her front. Kylie's smile faded with her groan at the orange goop. She tried to wipe off the infant with a cloth without much success and groaned. Vander set his phone down and grabbed their baby.

I decided to change the subject. I didn't want to talk about last night. "I'll give you a tour after breakfast, and then I have to head over to the office for a few hours in the afternoon. Want to come along? You haven't been there for a while, Vander, and neither of you two have seen it."

The three conferred silently, and Vander said, "I'll tag along, but they're going to stay here with Nadia."

"She gets difficult if she doesn't get her proper nap," Kylie explained. "Besides, I think Vander's curious about what you've been doing and we don't want to distract him."

Lys nodded.

Once everyone was finished they followed me around while I showed them everything, Vander carrying his baby with obvious pride and affection.

My home was particularly busy. Twice a year Greyclaw would hold a larger celebration instead of just the night of the full moon, and I'd volunteered to hold it in my home this time. The humans who paid attention to my business were vaguely aware that I occasionally held exclusive parties, but they were of course unaware that the guest list was populated entirely by werewolves and occasionally others in the know. Lenora had most of the contact with the party planner, and between them they would see that everything was in order for tomorrow night.

I showed my guests to the ballroom, and the dining hall that was used for different pack functions, the gym, the pool and lounging area—which both females seemed to appreciate, the entertainment areas, and any other features I thought they might find interesting. I left my favourite part for the grand finale, when I took them down an elevator that was tucked away behind the kitchens and down into the secret basement.

The elevator doors opened to revealed a huge room that was made to appear to be a forest with a stream. There was artificial lighting that could be set to mimic different times of day. It was a large enough space that my entire pack could comfortably release their wolves, although it still wasn't nearly as good as a proper forest.

Unfortunately, because of our pack's close proximity the city, our wild places were bordered by human dwellings and hundreds of howling wolves would certainly catch the humans' attention. When we were young, we had been taught to keep our wolves in check, running silently through the forest on quick paws, while allowing our wolves very few vocalizations. Ironically, here in a hidden place more closely surrounded by humans, we could be louder than in our own wilds thanks to excellent soundproofing.

"This is the Wolf Cave," I said, watching their reactions. Vander looked amused. Kylie smiled at his reaction, and Lys gaped as she walked forward.

"It's so realistic," Lys said. "I'd almost believe you had an actual forest underground. Even the scents aren't too bad."

I smiled. "Go on, check it out."

The two women started walking together, pointing out details they liked. Vander bounced his baby in his arms and raised an eyebrow. "Wolf Cave? What, are you werewolf Bruce Wayne?"

"One of the pack boys came up with it, and it stuck."

"Well, I like it. Can I see the Wolfmobile, Bruce?"

"You're just lucky you're holding a baby or I'd show you the Wolfmobile."

"Not sure if you're threatening or hitting on me." Vander laughed.

We started walking, following the females around. Once they'd had a good look, I told them to make themselves comfortable and to ask Fred for anything they might need, while I got ready to head to work. Vander met me by the entrance, and we left together.

As we drove, I told him what really happened the previous night.

"Sorry, wish we'd stayed."

"It's fine. I walked into that one. What were the odds of a hot werewolf I thought I'd never met before showing up at a human event? Definitely too good to be true."

"Well, you never know. I found Kylie while on patrol. Imagine if I'd assigned someone else that night, I would have never seen her."

"Maybe that's what happened. Maybe my mate and I just missed meeting each other. I wasn’t at the right place when I should have been," I muttered without thinking.

Vander inspected me. "You never acted like you cared. I didn't know it bothered you."

"I'm fine. Things are good. No, things are great. But my wolf, you know?"

"Yeah, I do."

We both lapsed into silence as we pulled up to the building.

Vander and I headed to the elevator, his eyes taking in every detail around him. I was curious about what he would perceive, my friend had always been good at taking in and analyzing data to arrive at workable solutions.

"Good afternoon," Lenora said, her voice sharp. She didn't have to say it. Now that the crisis had passed she was put out about the previous night. I ignored the burn of shame her critical tone brought along with it.

"What have you got for me?"

She rattled off her list of what urgently needed my attention, while Vander looked around the area. Once she was done I retreated into my office and left her to give my partner a tour of what was happening on the premises.

She returned without him a short time later, apparently having left him with the director of research and development. We continued working through the things that required my attention. I had a couple of brief meetings over the phone, and by the time I was ready to head back home, Vander still hadn't returned.

I found him, still talking animatedly with the R and D director, who seemed just as engaged in the conversation as my friend, pointing at some documents on his desk. I couldn't help my grin, Vander had been like this for as long as I had known him.

When they finally noticed I was there, I asked, "Ready to go?"

"Yeah. Sure. I should get back to Kylie and save her from Nadia." Vander got up and we headed to the elevator.

"But she's so innocent."

Vander just grinned at that. "That's what she wants you to think. My little girl is going to have an exciting future and the world is going to tremble before her."

"I'll bet." Hard to imagine the rolling little cherub would turn out to be that impressive, but maybe her father could see something I could not.

After the drive back to my home, we found Vander's mate sitting on a lounge chair beside the pool with Nadia propped between her outstretched legs, chewing on a wolf shaped chew toy and wearing a frilly bathing suit. Lys was in the pool, swimming around lazily while they chatted. Vander made his way over to his mate and kissed her lightly on the lips.

"Why don't you two go and get your suits and join us?" she asked.

We spent the evening laughing and talking, but the hollowness of my wolf haunted me even then.