Chapter 4

I marched to the living room where Zane was sat with Grace comfortably perched on his lap with her back pressed onto his chest as he cradled her in his arms.

"What was that?" I raised an eyebrow as I folded my arms to my chest and laid my side against the door frame

"What was what?" He calmly asked without even looking at me.

"What was that, 'I'm clumsy nowadays' panicked business?" I emphasised his words.

"Papa! Daddy! You ditab me!" Grace complained from her father's lap, almost making me laugh at her cute mispronunciation of 'disturb'.

"Sorry my Angel," Zane softly apologised, " Daddy has to go talk to your uncle for a second, will you sit and wait for me?"

Grace nodded, allowing Zane to sit her down on the spot next to where he was sitting before standing up and heading towards me before walking passed me and into heading into the kitchen.

I followed his rigid, tense form into the kitchen to find him pouring himself a glass of wine. Not again.

He sat himself down on the barstool behind the island before staring at me with a bored expression as he held the wine glass in his hand and gently spun it around so the red, bitter liquid swirled around the glass.

"Explain!" I calmly demanded as I leaned against the island and crossed my arms on the island.

"Explain what, Little Brother?" He raised his eyebrow questioningly as he feigned confusion.

"Ah, so you're playing the oblivious game, now?" I smirked.

"Am I?" He raised an eyebrow as he lifted his glass and tilted the glass, letting the red liquid flow into his mouth.

"Why were you acting so strange, Zane?" I sighed, tired of playing his game of obliviousness.

"So, my glass accidentally slipping from my hand, is me acting strange?" He raised an eyebrow as he took another sip of wine.

"Well accidents happen, but you stammering is unheard of. You don't stammer, Zane, nor do you panic." I said tight lipped, hoping to get a serious, honest answer.

"Nolan, I'm only partially human," He shrugged," Besides, I have my times especially because I was shocked at how young your mate looked. She can't be older than a teenager."

"So?" I squinted my eyes challengingly.

"Nothing," He shrugged nonchalantly before gulping down the rest of his wine. " I was just surprised." He said as he grabbed the wine bottle and poured himself more wine.

"Zane, I highly doubt something as miniscule as that would cause you to act so strangely and besides, that doesn't explain the panic in your eyes." I continued my interrogation.

"Fine," He shrugged," In all honestly, I was worried because she reminded me of someone. Someone I wish to keep in the past." He calmly responded before lifting his glass and gulping down the whole wine," Happy now?" He stared at me with icy cold, void eyes as he roughly placed the glass onto the island," I'm sorry for having to cut our interrogation short, Nolan, but I have a daughter to take care of." He said, looking at me with daring eyes that challenged me to say otherwise.

My brother has always been good at hiding his emotions, including hiding his rage, so I was not surprised to see the spark of rage that flashed across his eyes before disappearing as if it never existed. His calmness and nonchalance were the first signs of irritation of being interrogated. He has always been like this, but it only got worse after he got Grace.

I gave a nod, allowing him to leave the room.

That's enough interrogating for now, before he bursts.

*****

Melissa's POV

"Mel Sweetheart, please help me with the plates?" Mom motioned to the white plates on the counter top.

"Sure!" I smiled, reaching over to take the four plates and bowl.

"You said he had his brother over, right?" Mom turned to me. I gave a nod in reply as I followed her to the living room," Did you invite him over?"

I shook my head, but remembered that she couldn't see me.

"No." I whispered embarrassed.

"Mel!" She chastised.

"I'm sorry, Mom. It just didn't come to mind." I weakly defended myself.

We placed the plates and dish on the white, knitted table cloth.

"I have something to tell you later, actually." Mom sternly said.

"What about?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

My mom's stern voice always means we'll be talking business. She almost never uses it on me.

"Patience Mel." She smiled at me in amusement, just as the doorbell rang.

"You go get it, I'll finish up here." I urged as my heart rate sped up as butterflies flew wildly in my stomach.

"You sure?" She teasingly smirked.

"Mom!" I whined, making laughs leave her lips as she left the living room to get the door.

I rolled my eyes with a smile at her childish behaviour as I placed all the place mats in place. I made my way to the kitchen to hear laughter and chatter.

The masculine laughter made an uncontrollable smile lace my lips that I failed to keep down.

"Here she is." Mom said as I was in clear sight.

I had to fight throwing a glare at my mom as I turned to find Nolan standing with Grace in his arms.

"Hello." I waved with a smile.

"Hi." Nolan smiled at me, making a dimple pop from his cheek.

"Alo!" Grace enthusiastically grinned at me," Papa." She pouted at her uncle, pointing at me.

"Are you always going to ditch me when you see Miss Melissa?" Nolan pouted at her, receiving a giggle from Grace as she profusely nodded.

Nolan placed her on the floor, allowing her to all but run in my direction.

"Nolan, Mel told me that your brother was here? Has he left? I'm sorry, Mel forgot to invite him over." Mom apologised, making my face flush with embarrassment as I picked Grace up from the floor.

"Yes, he's still here." Nolan smiled.

"Great, because there is enough lasagna for three adults, a teenager and a toddler." Mom excitedly smiled at him.

"Oh really? I should go get him, then." Nolan replied.

"Please do?" Mom asked excitedly. I could swear that my mom is either a child or a teenager like me. Her behaviour is different to how I would like to believe other adults act, but I love her nonetheless. She is honestly thee best mom any teenage girl could ever ask for.

"Grace," Nolan called, making Grace turn to him," I'm going to fetch Daddy. Are you coming with me?"

She seemed to think for a while, before nodding her head and raising her arms towards him.

Nolan made his way to me and placed his hands close to where my one was around Grace's waist for balance. A feather light, almost none existent caress over my hand had a gasp threatening to leave my lips as sparks erupted from the touched spot.

I looked up at Nolan to find his eyes locked onto Grace's as he lifted her and placed her on his hip.

"Say bye bye for now, Munchkin." Nolan softly cooed.

"Bye bye." Grace enthusiastically waved at me.

"Bye Cutie Pie." I smiled at her with my own wave.

Looking up, I was welcomed by Nolan's soft, dimpled smile that instantly made my heart race and my face flush with embarrassment.

An unreadable emotion passed through Nolan's eyes before he turned around and headed to the door.

"We'll be back soon." He told my mom, who smiled at him with a nod before he disappeared out of the door, closing it behind him.

*****

Nolan's POV

I walked in through the door just, just to spot Zane's retreating back.

"Zane!" I called out, making him appear back into the kitchen a few seconds later with a quirked eyebrow in confusion and a silent question.

"Shouldn't you be next door?" He asked.

"Daddy!" Grace happily squealed, pushing her arms in the direction of Zane who silently made his way to me and took her from my arms.

"Hey Pumpkin." He cooed at her, before placing a kiss on her small forehead.

"I should, but I was asked to invite you over for dinner." I informed.

"What!" He exclaimed with his eyes growing as wide as saucers in bewilderment.

"Yeah." I replied with a quirked eyebrow in confusion of his peculiar reaction.

As if reading my unasked question from my face he added," I don't want to third wheel, Little Brother." He crinkled his nose in distaste.

"But you won't be." I smirked.

"In your mind I will be." He playfully glared at me.

"Let's go, Whiner." I playfully smirked at him.

"Ouch, my ego." He feigned pain as he clutched at his chest dramatically.

My eyes went to Grace to find her twirling her father's hair in memorisation.

"Can we go now, also, I managed to steal a caress from my mate." I informed as I turned around and grabbed my keys from the sapphire blue, clear bowl.

"Yeah yeah, Lover boy." He said with a smirk clearly evident in his tone, but followed my request nonetheless.

He opened the door with his unoccupied hand and left the house with me following right behind them. I locked the door behind me before turning around to let the cool, summer, evening breeze cool my warm face. I always enjoyed this time, the air always felt cleaner and fresher, and don't forget the breeze. The cool summer, evening breeze is always lovely and appreciated after a long, hot summer day.

Summer evenings are my favourite times of the year by far. They are the times I feel most alive.

"You coming or not?" Zane's voice came through my thoughts, knocking me out of my deep, much enjoyed thoughts.

"Is that even a question." I threw at him as I made my way down the few steps that led up to the door.

I caught up to him and Grace and together we made our way to my sweet mate's home for dinner.

"Are you knocking or should I?" Zane asked the moment we reached the door.

"Go ahead." I urged, tucking my itching hands into my pockets. If I didn't, I wouldn't be surprised if I pulled my mate into my chest..

My hands were itching for another caress against her brown, soft skin, they were starting to ache.

'You need to touch our mate, Nole.' My wolf cockily said.

'No.' I deadpanned.

'Suit yourself, Idiot!' Alex growled in irritation before disappearing back into the depths of my mind.

The door opened to my mate's short, cute stature and soft features.

"Hello again." Zane enthusiastically beamed at Melissa with an unreadable, almost discreet emotion flowing in his shining, almost smiling eyes.

"Alo!" Grace enthusiastically greeted with an enthusiastic wave of her hand.

"Hi." Melissa enthusiastically waved back at Grace before her eyes diverted to Zane," Hello." She greeted more calmly but somehow shyly. She seems to get flustered around my brother like she gets flustered around me. You would swear that she has a crush on him.

I know that this should make me jealous or unnerved as her mate also considering my position in the pack as a beta. The position alone makes my wolf very protective of our mate so he shouldn't nor should I be taking her possible crush on my brother lightly. Maybe it's because we are brothers, I really don't know and to be honest, I will leave these concerns for another day.

"We're back." I softly announced with a wink.

I swear I heard the sharp intake of her taking an abrupt breath even as she shakily smiled at me and nodded.

"Please come right in, Mom has everything ready in the dining room." She smiled welcomingly, managing to regain her composure as she made way for us to get in.

My mate is truly astonishing and seemingly stubborn. I would expect her to be a blushing, fidgety, flushed, but beautiful mess around me, but she is never that. This will be interesting.