When You Were My Mate (Demetra and Emris) novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Demetra.

“Miss Demetra.”

“Miss Demetra?”

“Yes. Yes. Yes.” I fix the neck of my pink dress for the hundredth me. It’s a sleeveless number with a bow at the neck that I’ve already retied four times because apparently bows are my mortal enemy today. My hair’s scraped back in a ponytail because trying to do multiple things at once with hair in my face is a special kind of hell.

“Miss… the Alpha of Bourbon Pack just arrived. They brought packs of bourbon as gifts for Amira.”

I stare at the cartons being carried in like they’re delivering a liquor store.

“That’s definitely not for Amira.” Slade chuckles from somewhere behind me, and I shoot him a look because we’re still fighting. He knows this. I’m not over it.

“You look pretty.”

“I always look pretty.” I flick a curl away from my face, refusing to acknowledge the compliment. As the mother of the now five-year-old birthday girl, I had to do full makeup with glitter on my eyes because that’s what Amira demanded. Dress code: everyone wears pale pink while she rocks bright pink. The pack house is drowning in pink and gold balloons, and there’s a massive banner at the top that screams AMIRA’S DAY in letters so big I’m pretty sure neighboring packs can read it.

“Okay…but you look extra pretty today.” Slade tries again, and I huff, walking past him toward literally anywhere else.

“I shouldn’t have said that.” He follows me like a guilty puppy.

“You shouldn’t have said what?” I stop with a smile that’s not friendly.

“I just get so worried about you, that’s why-”

“Demetra?”

I turn and find Sabrina, looking effortlessly gorgeous in pale pink.

“Hi!” 1 immediately switch modes, rushing over for air kisses. She pulls back and her eyes land on Slade behind me.

“Slade, say hi.” I nudge him, trying to make this awkward for him He glares at me but clears his throat into that Alpha voice.

“Hello, Sabrina. I didn’t know you were coming.”

“I invited her.” I roll my neck dramatically, and the housekeeper akes the gift she’s holding…definitely for Amira.

“Where’s the birthday girl?”

“Outside taking pictures.” I link my arm through Sabrina’s and ster us through the kitchen which fastest route to the party. “I wanted her to get photos with the kids before cake and drinks lestroy their outfits.” I hold my dress up, careful not to catch myheels on anything.

Tiffany and my cousins rush past us, howling with laughter about something, and I just shake my head.

“Wow.” Sabrina stops to take in the transformed lawn.

The pack house has lands that stretches out for acres in manicured grass cut so short it feels like velvet underfoot. The staffs are prepping the pool ready for the kids to destroy. Swings and sides dot the landscape like an amusement park. There’s a

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16:57 Sat, Apr 11 M

Chapter 40

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bouncy castle shaped like a castle…obviously and trampolines tuked to the side where kids are already launching,

themselves into the air.

Cartoon characters roam around in costume, waving at children who either adore them or scream in terror. On the another side is the area for parents which leads indoors to the air-conditioned wing where I’m sure the adults will eventually hide.

“Awww.” I press my hand to my chest when I spot Amira at the poto booth with her school friends. Bows in her hair, glitter on her cheeks while she’s living her absolute best life. Grandpa as her on his shoulders because he’s constantly trying to prove how strong he is to her.

Slade heads toward the photo booth and chases off little kids like the bully he is.

I watch him squeeze in next to Amira, making ridiculous faces for the camera.

Sabrina laughs beside me. “He’s good with kids.”

“He’s good at being an idiot.” But I’m smiling.

“She’s so cute. I can’t wait to have a daughter in the future.”

“She is. One look at her and I forget how hard postpartum was.” joke, then glance at Sabrina. She said Amira is cute, but she’s looking at… Slade. Interesting.

“Ma’am, um… you invited the Alpha of the Black Covenant Pack He’s here with his kid and sister.”

“What!?” I squint, because that’s impossible! Dad sent out the invitation cards exclusively. There’s no way in hell he would accidentally send one to anyone in the Black Covenant Pack.

“That has to be wrong.”

“You don’t remember sending one?” Sabrina asks.

“No.”

“We just scanned his invitation card. It’s real. But we wanted you to know before we made a scene. There were other guests at the door so we didn’t want to seem like we made a mistake. We let him in, but you needed to know.”

While the head of security is explaining, I spot Milo running ahead, leaving Teddy and…freaking EMRIS behind.

“No way.” Eden says when he spots, Teddy, his mate.

I take a deep breath. How? How did an invitation get to Emris? What the hell is happening?

“Ma’am, what steps should we take?”

“Just… be on standby,” My eyes find Emris whose hands are in his pockets, surveying the scene like he owns it. I’m not sure if he’s seen me yet. Probably has, but he’s choosing not to look. He knows there’s something fishy about how he got an invitation here.

ve me

“Sabrina, can you give me a second?”

“Of course.”

I weave through the crowd and intercept Milo before he reaches Amira. Crouching down to his level, he immediately throws his arms around my neck to hug me. The moment we hug, I look up and Emris is looking at me.

“Hi, Angel.”

“Hello, Milo. You look so handsome today.” I smooth his little shirt. “Amira is taking pictures with her grandpa. Can you give

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Chapter 40

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