Brother’s Best Friends Are My Mates novel Chapter 186

Lia

After everything we dealt with regarding Matt’s old pack and Colby fighting them, we needed a break. I was planning something with my pack, or more specifically, my mates. We were just going to have a quiet evening at home and enjoy our time together.

Simone was helping me plan. She was a great friend, doing what she could to help me plan this thing.

Now the sun was starting to set. We had managed to get the guys out of the house so they wouldn’t bother either of us while we planned. Rain would blurt everything to the entire household if he caught wind of anything.

Rain was incapable of keeping a secret. This was why everyone kept secrets from him and also kept him out of the kitchen, but that was a completely different story.

But then they did come home, and I was forced to tell everyone what was going on. They started to do some things to help me prepare for the night, wanting to do their part.

The sun was just beginning to dip behind the trees, painting the sky in streaks of orange and lavender. I laid out the last of the soft blankets on the hill near the edge of the woods, far from the house and the noise, craving a quiet moment for once. A lantern flickered beside me, casting a gentle glow on the open basket of snacks.

“You sure you want to do this out here?” Simone’s voice cut through the silence as she approached, her arms crossed and an amused smile tugging at her lips. “I mean, it’s not exactly five-star luxury.”

I laughed softly. “That’s kind of the point, Sim. I just want peace tonight. No drama. No politics. No poisoned darts, stalking exes, or ancient prophecy nonsense.”

Simone flopped down on the blanket beside me, unbothered by the grass. “Sounds dreamy. And I assume your lovely quartet of mates will be joining you soon?”

I gave her a look “They’re finishing up some prep stuff. You know Matt-he had to find the ‘perfect’ wine. Rain’s probably trying to light the fire pit in some ridiculous, dramatic way. Jesse’s doing his usual brooding thing. Colby’s probably trying to convince them to wrestle over who gets to sit closest to me.”

She snorted. “Ah, the joys of having four giant alpha men hopelessly obsessed with you.” “It’s exhausting.”

“It’s romantic.” “It’s chaotic.”

“Still romantic,” she said, poking my cheek “But seriously, you deserve this, Lia. After everything you’ve been through-the ceremony, all the crap from your brother’s friends before they finally pulled their heads out of their asses… You deserve peace.”

I blinked at her. “You’re being… nice.”

Simone smirked. “I’m always nice. I just hide it under sarcasm.”

I leaned back on my elbows, staring up at the stars just beginning to peek through the sky. “I didn’t think I’d ever get to this place, you know? There were days I wanted to run and never look back”

“I remember. I also remember you making a pros and cons list about fake identities and cross-country bus routes.” “Don’t mock me, it was a solid plan.”

“I’m just saying I’m glad you stayed. And now? You have four idiots who worship the ground you walk on. You’re making your own rules.”

“And what about you?” I asked, nudging her. “You said something about a night under the stars with your mates?”

She grinned, looking far too pleased. “Damn right. I’ve got something planned, too. But this night? This one’s yours. I’ll get mine later. You’ve earned this one, Lia.”

I reached over, squeezing her hand. “Thanks, Sim. For not running when things got ugly.”

She shrugged like it was nothing, but her smile softened. “You’re my best friend. I’d face down a dozen angry alphas and even Rain’s terrible cooking for you.”

We both laughed, and for a moment, everything did feel perfect.

Eventually, she did walk off to go do her own thing. Rain joined me first, throwing himself on the plush blanket.

“I’m starving and am in desperate need of some coffee. Anyone want some?”

There was nothing but soft snores and silence from the others. Colby and I seemed to be the only ones awake.

“I think I could use some,” I said, smiling at him. “Let’s go in and grab some breakfast as well as some coffee. I’m sure the other guys will wake up eventually.”

Colby chuckled. “Yeah, they will eventually, especially Rain. When food is involved, you know he is going to be the first one running for the kitchen.”

Sure enough, the two of us went inside, and just as we started breakfast, Rain came inside and looked like he was ready to eat the furniture.

“I’m so hungry,” he groaned, looking at the kitchen longingly. “Are you guys making pancakes? It smells like pancakes.”

“It’s pancakes,” Colby confirmed, giving him a look “One step more into this room and I swear there will be no more pancakes for you, okay?”

Rain patiently sat at the dining room table, waiting for the pancakes. Then Matt and Jesse came in, but they were quieter about eating than Rain. But then again, everyone was more peaceful than Rain.

However, this was what made him so unique.

When I was finally able to dig into the pancakes, I was thrilled. They were so delicious and fluffy. Colby truly did know how to cook breakfast food.