“We’re not having this discussion again.”
“You need a mate, Rafe. A woman you can hold in your arms and make love to. A real woman. Not a memory. Let go of the past. Grab onto your future. If you don’t—”
“Stop.” Rafe held up his hand. The shattering of the mate-bond that he’d shared with Lexi had unleashed a maelstrom within him. She had been a balm to his restless nature. Now, he had to learn to manage without her. “I have let go, Gavin. I’ll decide if or when I take another mate, not you.”
Gavin gave a slight nod. “In the meantime, here’s what I do expect from you. Stop working around the clock. You don’t need the money.”
True. After the demise of his birth pack, Rafe inherited everything belonging to his former pack mates. It wasn’t a lot in the beginning, but Doc had wisely invested the funds for him. Now Rafe had enough money that he could retire, three or four times over.
“Establish reasonable business hours,” Gavin continued, “and stick to them.”
“I have a lot of work.” Rafe liked to stay busy. Idle hands reached for bottles.
“Hire help, or refer customers to some of your trusted competitors.”
Rafe wasn’t inclined to do either. He’d turned a lot of business away during his drinking days. When he got sober most of his customers returned. He didn’t want to reward their loyalty by handing them over to someone else.
“I’ll let the pack know I’ve ordered you to cut back. If you don’t, I’ll shut you down. Understood?”
Rafe reluctantly nodded. Technically, the Co-op owned his business and every pack member’s business.
Members tithed thirty percent of their income to the Co-op. In return, they received free housing, paid college expenses, free health care, and if they wanted to open their own business the Co-op paid to have it built and provided the start-up income.
“Good. With your workload reduced you’ll have more time to devote to Alex. Start by picking him up before and after school. He’s been truant. I want it stopped. He’s also struggling with his schoolwork. Find him a tutor. Ronni’s working toward her GED and I don’t want Alex’s shenanigans to derail her efforts.”
Stunned, Rafe ran his hand across his chin, feeling the stubble he’d forgotten to shave. Other than Alex breaking curfew, Rafe had thought the boy was doing well. And, Ronni had never mentioned not having a high school diploma or working toward her GED.
As Alpha, Gavin knew everyone’s business, but Rafe didn’t like being caught unaware of his family’s situation.
“I’ll take care of Alex and help Ronni with whatever she needs.”
“Now that’s settled, let’s talk about Grace.”
“I’d rather not.”
“She presents us with a delicate dilemma,” Gavin began, as if Rafe had no objection to the topic. “She and Cassie have become close over the last year. Close enough that it’s inevitable for Grace to discover what we are.”
“Tell her before it becomes a problem. She seems trustworthy.” A woman who would give up her life to move cross-country to care for her disabled brother knew a thing or two about loyalty.
“I would prefer Grace to bond with one of our pack’s eligible males. A mateship is the easiest and most expedient way to introduce her into our world, but she’s proven quite difficult—”
Good for you, sweetheart.
“—in the matchmaking arena.”
Rafe chuckled.
“Did you say something?”
Rafe stayed silent, his ears tuning into the soft, limping footsteps coming down the hallway.
“Regardless of whether or not she accepts a mate,” Gavin continued, “I will ask Grace to join the pack after my granddaughter is born.”
Rafe wasn’t surprised. This wasn’t the first time Gavin had played hard, fast and loose with the pack’s initiation rule. Doc was neither Wahya nor married to one. He’d been inducted into the pack simply because he was Gavin’s best friend since their college days.
“After all, Grace will be my granddaughter’s godmother. It’s imperative to keep her close. To keep her safe.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Although Rafe was close to the Alpha’s son, he wasn’t usually taken into the Alpha’s confidence.
“Because you’re the baby’s godfather.” Brice leaned in the doorway, all smiles and smugness.
“Like hell I am.” Rafe was still putting his life back together. How could Brice think he’d make a suitable godparent?
“You’re my best friend and Grace is Cassie’s best friend.” Brice flashed a very unwolfan-like smile.
“Find a new best friend,” Rafe half-heartedly told Brice. Though, he was deeply touched by his friend’s faith in him.
“How about Shane?” A gleam lit Gavin’s eyes.
Rafe had to be careful not to over-tighten the screw and strip the threads. Shane MacQuarrie followed Tristan’s wham-bam-thanks-for-the-good-time-ma’am creed. Grace deserved better and like it or not, Rafe felt a degree of protectiveness toward her.
“Personally, I think Shane has a better temperament than Rafe,” Gavin continued smugly. “Since Shane and Grace already have a friendly rapport, a nudge or two in the right direction could turn their relationship into something more.”
“Hell, no!” An unpleasant heat erupted from Rafe’s core.
“Need some water to cool that temper?” Smiling, Brice shook his water bottle at him.
Rafe swallowed and held a breath deep in his chest until the echo of Brice’s laughter subsided.
“Shane’s too young and cocky,” Rafe said more evenly. “He’s all wrong for her.”
“Perhaps.” Gavin’s gaze seemed to bore into Rafe’s skin, making him more irritable. “I want Grace to get to know the pack. I’ll arrange for her to enjoy a few select pack events. I’d prefer for her to attend with someone other than Cassie to avoid the appearance of nepotism.”
“It is, isn’t it?” Rafe returned to assembling the crib.
Gavin issued a warning growl.
Rafe bit back a smile and Brice covered his grin by taking a drink of water. It was a nice feeling to ruffle the Alpha’s fur.
“Considering you’re indebted to Grace because she didn’t kill you with her car,” Gavin snapped, “no one will think twice about her showing up with you.”
Rafe fumbled the screwdriver. “You want me to be her date?”
“Date,
