Brother’s Best Friends Are My Mates novel Chapter 97

Colby

When the guys and I were getting ready that day, we didn’t speak much. All of us were lost in our own thoughts. I was unable to believe we were finally going to be mated to Lia. Rain was walking back and forth, muttering under his breath.

He was thrilled but nervous. Rain wore his heart on his sleeve. I saw flickers of fear flash in those brown eyes of his. When we would lock eyes, he’d smile and try to pretend he was all right, but I knew he was worried.

“Rain, it’s going to be all right. You’re freaking out for nothing.”

Rain grinned, but I swear his left eye was twitching.

“I’m not freaking out. Colby, I am the epitome of cool, calm, and collected.”

Matt, form where he was standing, turned around and burst out laughing. “Yeah you are calm right now and Jesse is going to break out into song any minute.”

“No,” was all Jesse said, blinking slowly.

Rain huffed. “You guys are so mean. Teasing me like this.”

“We’re not teasing you,” I said, stifling a laugh. “Okay, we are totally teasing you.”

He huffed again. “Fine, I see how it is guys.”

The three of us shared some amused looks. But teasing Rain was doing the job of keeping his nerves at bay. I no longer saw any fear in his eyes, just happiness.

“I’m going to finish getting ready. You three quit it with the teasing.”

“

Chuckling, I had to agree with him on one thing. We did have to finish getting ready. I was half dressed, trying to figure out the best way to style my hair. It was important that we all look our best for Lia.

It didn’t take long. I felt my nerves leaving, getting replaced with anticipation. A good kind of anticipation.

Jesse was the one to get dressed first followed by Matt next. Then it was Rain with me being the one who took the longest. I don’t know why it took me so long. Rain joked that I was stalling but I shot him a look.

“I am not stalling. What I’m doing is being a perfectionist.”

This made Jesse smirk. “Your always someone who is a bit of a perfectionist. Lia and you have that in common.”

I mean, when Jesse was right he was right. After two more glances in the mirror, I decided this was as good as it was going to get. It was time to leave the room and go take our places out in the ceremonial hall.

Most of our families were there… with the exceptions of Matt’s but after what happened with him and his family, it was no wonder why he didn’t want them there.

They were toxic and not to mention against our even being a pack in the first place!

One day they might come to regret it, but by then it was going to be too late for them.

***

My heart was beating in my chest. Too fast. It felt like it was going to burst right out of my chest.

I looked at myself in the mirror, taking in the dress I chose and the way my hair was styled. While I wasn’t one to get obsessed with my looks, I had to admit that I looked beautiful today.

“I feel like I’m going to be sick.”

“No, you’re not,” Simone says, watching me with amusement. “You’re just freaking out.”

“Gee, thanks. That helps.” I clutch my stomach, positive that if I breathe wrong, I’ll pass out.

She shrugs. “I’m not gonna lie to you. You are freaking out.”

“Of course I am! Simone, this is my mating ceremony! My entire life is about to change, and everyone’s acting like this is just another Tuesday.”

“Well, to be fair, it is a Monday.”

I glare at her. “Not. Helping.”

She smirks, totally unfazed. “You’ll live.”

I let out a sharp breath and continued pacing, my dress brushing against my legs with every frantic step. “What if I trip? What

if I say something really stupid? What if I just-pass out? Oh my god, what if I pass out?”

“Then at least it’ll be memorable.”

“Simone!”

“What?” She grins. “If you faceplant in front of everyone, at least the reception will have something to talk about.”

I groan, dragging my hands down my face. “I knew I should’ve run away when I had the chance.”

“Oh please, where would you have gone? I would’ve dragged you back by your braid.”

“I could’ve gone off the grid. Started a new life in the mountains. Raised goats or something.”

Simone snorts. “You? With goats? You’re scared of spiders.”

“Spiders are terrifying.’

“

Simone grabs my shoulders, forcing me to stand still. “Lia. Listen to me. You love them.”

I swallow hard. “Do I?”

It’s time.

I hugged Simone, holding onto her tightly. She had just had her mating ceremony a few weeks before all this shit happened with the Rosewater Coven. Simone had the same mindset. If everything was going to hell then it made sense to find little moments of happiness or make your own.

This was what I was doing today. I was making my happiness, going forward with this mating ceremony, and affirming my commitment.

But my nerves were still there, just underneath the joy radiating through me. I smiled at Simone, taking a deep breath.

“I’m okay.”

She nodded. “You are okay.”

“I got this.”

“Yes, you got this.”

“I… still feel like I am going to be sick.”

Simone sighed, pointing to the bathroom. “Do you want to pay a visit to the restroom before we head out there?” “No. I can do this.”

***

The ceremony was a bit of a blur, to be honest. One moment I am walking down the aisle, almost making it feel like a traditional wedding ceremony, and the next I am saying my vows, promising to be there for my mates.

We didn’t exchange bite marks. Those would be left until tonight when we became intimate. It was the best way to exchange bite marks. Doing it in front of others felt too… strange. This wasn’t something you wanted to share with your family and friends.

Once all the vows were said, I shared kisses with them all. I could tell all of them were tempted to deepen the kisses, pinning me against the nearest surface and kissing me until my face was flushed with desire.

But again, our guests were watching. One of those guests included my brother. He wouldn’t want to see his baby sister in that

way.

I’m sure it was hard enough for him to see me standing up here, about to retire for the evening with my mates.

A shiver ran through me when I said to my mates. Yes, they were almost all my mates now. In a few hours, we would be consummating our relationship.

I flushed at the word.

Why was I so embarrassed? I’d spent a heat with them months ago, which was by far the most embarrassing moment of my life so far. This should be a walk in the park!

“Ready?” Jesse asked me, his eyes full of desire.

I flushed. “Yes. As ready as I’ll ever be.’