Page 2 of Forbidden Daddy Mate
“How so?” Jameson asked.
Mark shrugged. “Tannen, Rand, and me are all stags. We’re not really in the family business yet, are we?” He glanced over at me. “You too, I guess, but Jenn’s your daughter, so you still kinda count.”
“You worry too much,” Luke said. “We ever done something like that to you?”
“I mean, there was the time when everyone went to a couples’ dance,” Rand pointed out. “Tannen and I had to dance together.”
“Don’t forget the time when—” Mark began, but Jameson cut him off.
“It’ll be fine,” he said.
If the single guys felt any legitimate ill will toward the rest of them, I could understand it. Once shifters paired off, there was a level of intimacy there that you couldn’t understand unless you’d had it before. Jameson, Luke, Oliver, Sam, Klyte, and Alek had all found someone and understood that. I was in the rare category of having been in that position once, until my mate had died when our daughter, Jenn, was young. It had been years, but I still remembered how it felt to have someone like that.
I also knew what it was like not to have someone, and I could understand their annoyance. I kept all that to myself, figuring it was better to press forward than bring up those points.
“Regardless, it’s meant for everyone,” I said. “Jenn’s put a lot of work into this, and I know she’d be heartbroken if she thought you guys felt unwelcome because you didn’t have mates.”
“Don’t worry, boss,” Mark said. “You don’t have to twist our arms. We’re going.”
“Not your boss,” I reminded him. “I’m as retired as the rest of you.”
Mark shrugged. “Whatever you say, boss. Anyway, we’re committed.”
Rand nodded. “We already had our secret Santas, so it’s not like we could back out at this point. You think I’m going to miss out on gifts?”
“Whatever gets you guys there,” I said. “And it’s not like we’re going to be the only ones without someone there. Freya will be there, too.”
Rand straightened, eyes glinting. “Right,” he said, giving a slow grin. “Forgot about that. In that case, maybe it won’t be an entire loss after all.”
I let out a low growl.
Rand raised his eyebrows and held up his hands. “Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t realize you were protective of her.”
“She’s my daughter’s best friend,” I argued. “Of course, I’m going to watch after her.”
“And I’m just saying she’s pretty,” Rand shot back.
He wasn’t wrong. Freya, with her curvy figure, dark hair, and dark eyes, was stunning. Ever since she’d moved to Brixton after some unfortunate incidents with her and Jenn’s old pack, I’d kept an eye on her, wanting to make sure she was okay. It wasn’t easy moving and starting over, I knew. So, I did my best to make her feel welcome.
“I doubt that a Christmas vacation is the right place to start anything like that,” Tannen pointed out.
“You’re probably right,” Rand admitted with a sigh. “I’m sure something interesting will happen to distract me.”
“Trust me,” I said. “It’s going to be a hell of a time.”
Chapter 2 - Freya
Jenn and I laughed.
“I’m not kidding,” I said. “He really thought the ‘heaven must be missing an angel’ line would work. I was embarrassed for him.”
“What a sleaze,” Jenn groaned. “Not going to lie, I’m honestly pretty glad I don’t have that problem anymore.”
“You’re lucky,” I agreed.
She nudged me. “Don’t worry, you’ll find someone.”
“Eventually.” I shrugged. “But I’m not in a rush. Most guys these days aren’t worth the time if you ask me.”