Brother’s Best Friends Are My Mates novel Chapter 31

One would think that producing a packaging name would be easy, but it wasn’t. The five of us talked for what felt like hours over the next few days, trying to come up with a pack name that would suit us all. It wasn’t easy when everyone knew how they wanted it to go.

The result was an argument that started over text and then shifted to in-person arguing. I grew sick of it, slamming my hand down on the table and startling everyone.

“What do you guys think about the Moonveil Pride?” I suggested, hoping everyone would be as pleased by the name as I was. Rain blinked. “Lia that sounds very majestic.”

“I don’t think that’s the word you’re looking for,” Jesse murmured, not even bothering to look up from his coffee.

“Did you mean magical?”

He grinned at Colby. “Yes, that’s what I meant, Colby, my man. Thanks!”

“Majestic and magical are not the same thing,” Matt muttered, stuffing his fork with a big helping of waffles.

“I don’t care if it’s magically majestic,” I said with a soft sigh. “Just let me know if you want to name our pack the Moonveil Pride.”

The reason I had chosen Moonveil was simple. When it came to the moon and werewolves, there was a huge overlap. It was something we gazed upon each night, thankful it blessed us with its power.

But I didn’t want to explain all this to my mates. It was a little embarrassing how I spent days going over all the possible names, making a list, and trying to figure out what two words worked the best together.

When I discovered the Moonveil and how well it worked, I was in awe. It was the perfect name for our new pack.

Our pack. I was no longer having as much trouble wrapping my mind around this concept.

These four were my mates. They weren’t the four I would have originally chosen but I was starting to grow accustomed to it… to them.

“I like it,” all of them blurted out at nearly the same time.

The looks on their faces had me blushing and laughing at the same time.

“Good, we’ll fill out the paperwork tonight then and will officially be named the Moonveil Pride.”

It felt official having a name. I know that sounded silly because this was what was going to make us an official pack. The only thing left that would make us an official package would be the mating ceremony.

Well, this didn’t have much to do with the pack. It had more to do with us as mates. Others could join our pack. But the mating was a thing for just the five of us. For… me and the four of them.

Would it be―

No, I wasn’t going to think of such things when they were sitting right here at the same table with me.

“Uh Lia, you feeling okay?” Rain asked, concerned. “Your cheeks are a little flushed.”

“I’m fine,” I assured Rain but I didn’t even sound like I could convince myself!

***

When I received the email, I felt nothing but pride and joy. The anger and resentment from before were gone, replaced with nothing but positive feelings. We were officially a family. Well, on our way to being a family.

This was one step in the direction of us becoming… family. We were already family. Not that I would be able to admit it to them anytime soon. It had taken me enough courage to admit this to myself!

By this point, we had gotten a routine. I got up in the morning to find one or two of them making breakfast. Most times, whoever got up early first would be the one who made breakfast for everyone else. It was rare because I wasn’t the type to get up very early.

This morning was no different. I threw on my school uniform and was halfway down the stairs when I smelled the familiar, enticing scent of pancakes.

It was nice to be able to put on my school uniform again after receiving that suspension notice. Apparently, Simone’s parents had donated to the school so they were able to get them to reverse the suspension, but I was on thin ice. Another incident and I imagine even Simone couldn’t save me.

But back to the pancakes.

They had to be Matt’s pancakes. He didn’t like to admit it, but he was an excellent cook-especially when it came to breakfast food.

“That smells so good!” I exclaimed, popping my head in the kitchen.

Rain jumped ten feet into the air, making me barely able to stifle a giggle. His brown eyes were wide, making me wonder if he was often this jumpy in the morning.

“Lia, you scared the shit out of me.”

Matt threw his head back and laughed.

“Rain, you’re supposed to be a fearsome wolf. Act like it.”

“Matt, my man, have you met my former pack? They aren’t exactly known as the most fearsome pack around!”

“Think before you speak, Rain.”

The guys were working to protect me all in their own ways. I blushed, not bothering to hide it this time.

“Thanks guys.’

“

Rain whimpered. “I’m sorry, Lia. I wasn’t trying to upset you. It was stupid of me to say something without thinking. Why the hell can’t I think before I speak?”

“Rain, that’s kind of your thing,” I pointed out, barely able to stifle a giggle. “It’s all right. As long as you remember from hear on out we’ll be fine.”

But I did have to get over that fear eventually. How long could I spend fearing driving? It wasn’t going to help anyone if I let my fear take over and prevent me from driving a car.

I just don’t think I cluld do it yet.

“So which one of us is driving you?” Rain asked.

“I don’t care which one of you drive me. Just decide quickly.”

This was a mistake for me to say. The guys started arguing amongst themselves, making me roll my eyes.

“Fine, I’ll just walk. When you four decide that you’ve had enough arguing you’ll find me on the path to school.”

I was able to put my plate in the dishwasher, grab my bag, and head out the door before Jesse realized I had left. He was snapping at the others, telling them to get their ass in the car. Hearing Jesse lose his cool and shout wasn’t something I was used too.

Sighing, I waited at the end of the driveway for the guys to get their shit together. It took them five minutes to stumble out of the house, rushing to Colby’s car which was the biggest. There were three vehicles between all of them but this was the one that could fit all of is.

If they hurried, I might actually manage to get to school today!