All Kitten Aside: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Paranormal Dating Agency Book 11) (2 page)

THREE

Kasen Steel, alpha of the Steel Claw Pack, glanced up from the plans to his new family center and growled loud enough to quiet the room.

“What the fuck is going on out there?” he asked Spike, his beta and best friend. “It sounds like someone is giving something away for free.”

Spike grinned and shook his head. “Your mother is what happened. She decided to send a notification to all eligible females in the pack that you’re seeking a mate.”

“She what?” He jumped to his feet and roared loud enough to make the room shake. Spike only grinned wider. Fucker. He knew how much Kasen hated drama with females. It was enough that they never left him alone, throwing their daughters and themselves at him. Like he couldn’t get his own woman. Kasen liked a chase. He liked feeling like he was working for something.

His wolf had yet to find a woman he wanted, which worked just as well. He couldn’t imagine finally finding her and then having her throw herself at him like he was God’s gift to women. That would take the fun out of everything.

You ask for too much
. Maybe. But he still wanted the thrill of the chase. To know that the woman he got wasn’t just because he and her were destined mates. Fuck destiny. Yeah, it worked well for others, but not him. He wanted her to fall for him as a man. So maybe he was getting emotional in his old age, but life wasn’t all about sex. He wanted more from his mate. Perhaps a human was more of what he needed. Then again, human females might not be able to stand up to the ferocity of the female wolves in his pack.

“Are you listening?” Spike laughed. The sound grated on Kasen’s nerves. His friend had no sympathy over this stupid as shit dilemma. “Yes, my friend. It seems she wants those grandbabies now, while she’s still alive,” Spike said, imitating Rochelle Steel’s innocent voice. Kasen’s mother was a great actress. She had particularly mastered the innocent role.

“She’s fifty-five and looks thirty. What the hell is she going on about?” She was also the reason Kasen felt as he did about women. He loved his mother to the ends of the earth, but he was well aware of her flaws. Having mated his father to merge packs, his mother wasn’t the loving type.

His entire life she’d been hands off. The only reason he knew any type of motherly love was due to Spike’s mom and her treatment of him whenever they were at her house. She hugged Kasen. It took years for him to get used to the idea of anyone touching him, but when Michelle hugged him, it felt right. Like he’d had a void filled suddenly. That emptiness, he didn’t want that for his kids.

So find a woman that will be happy to be a mom, a wife, and let you lead.
That might as well be his best bet. He seriously doubted any of the women in the pack, with their thirst for leadership, would give in easily to being just a mate and a mother.

Spike shrugged. “She’s got it in her head you need a mate, and you’re going to get one whether you want her or not.”

Kasen nodded absently. Actually, a mate might solve his problems. His animal wanted pups and it would get his mother off his back, not to mention his exes would get the idea he was no longer free. “She might have a point.”

He didn’t get a chance to say another word before his mother breezed into the room. Her slim figure was encompassed in a black pant suit he never would have thought she’d wear in a lumber company.

“Kasen!” she said with a dramatic sigh, falling into a chair in a huff. “I’ve come to help you.”

She never changed. Though she was fierce on the battleground, his mother was more theatrical than anyone he’d ever met. He saw her perfectly done long nails and glowing skin and knew she’d just come from the spa. That was her choice of business. Running a chain of spas allowed her the constant use of one, too.

He raised a brow, unsure how her drama would be of any help. “How so, Mother?”

In a heartbeat, she sat up straight and met his gaze. “You must grab yourself one of these females already. The fathers are practically shoving them at me and your father. We aren’t sure what to do any more.”

“They’re shoving them at you?” He couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his tone.

“Yes!” she snapped. “I do have some recommendations based on breeding, son.”

“Mother…” He was too tired with the work that needed doing to worry about what she was going on about. He’d find his own damn mate. Maybe not in the traditional way she wanted, or even whomever she had in mind, but he would.

“Just listen to me for a second,” she said, her tone all business. She peeked up at him from her icy blue eyes and all he saw was her personal interest. “We must ensure the proper lineage is chosen with your mate.”

There we go. Lineage.

“I could give two fucks about lineage or breeding,” he barked. Lineage? What a fucking joke. She knew well and good there were at least two lines that cross bred on his father’s side. The fact she refused to acknowledge it wasn’t his problem.

“Don’t talk to me in that tone, child!”

He bit back the urge to growl. She’d probably complain over that as well. “Mother, when I choose a mate, it will be based on what’s important to
me,
not you.”

She gave him a small smile and stood, coming around his desk. “I understand that, son. But we must make sure your mate knows the rules. You’re the alpha here.” She brushed a strand of hair from his forehead. That move was as warm as she got. “And she’ll have to make sure she doesn’t anger anyone. She needs to be seen, not heard. A good docile woman.” She squeezed his shoulder. Wow. She truly was on a roll with the support touches. “Whatever pack female you choose will figure it out. I will be there to help her with it.”

He knew his mother got ahead of herself, but she never meant any harm. She was his mom. “Whomever I pick will be fine.”

“She’ll have good breeding though, right, son?” She gave him a bit of a panicked look. Really? Breeding was her biggest concern? Whatever happened to someone who made him happy?

“Stop worrying so much about breeding. There are worst things a person can have than bad breeding or muddy lineage.”

She scrunched her nose. “I wouldn’t know about that, but we’ll figure it out, son.”

She stood and smiled before waving her fingers in Spike’s face. Her black suit made her already pale skin look ghostly white. He’d tried telling her to wear some color but she stuck to black and navy, saying color wasn’t professional. Not to mention she liked black more than a goth at a KISS concert.

They both listened as the commotion of female voices distanced with his mother. It went to show wherever she went, drama followed.

Mate. Must have one as soon as possible. A deep rumble sounded in his chest from his wolf. The animal didn’t appreciate being told what to do.
Yeah, good luck with that shit
.

“You know,” Kasen leaned back in his chair, making the leather squeak, “she might have a point.”

Spike’s smile dropped so fast, Kasen had to bite back a chuckle at his friend’s shocked expression. “What do you mean she might have a point? About what, breeding? I thought you weren’t going to be pushed into anything?”

Yeah, Spike knew him well. Breeding didn’t mean shit if he ended up with someone that made him want to tear his hair out. Oh, his dad lived with that reality every fucking day. Kasen had seen his reactions when his mother pulled alpha status on him. She always wanted to be in control and there was never any peace at home. Not until his father had finally set up a business for her where she could be in charge and leave the pack to him.

“No, not breeding. Who gives a shit about breeding? And I won’t be pushed into anything.” He stood and glanced out the window at the women going into the front of the building with what appeared to be pies, cookies, and cakes in their grasp. His mother had done well. Telling them his preferences ensured they offered up something he liked. But two could play that game. “Where’s the card?”

Spike frowned. He glanced around the office. “What card?”

“The one you mentioned about a matchmaker, Gerri something or other.”

“Ah, yes. Gerri Wilder.” Spike nodded and shoved his hand into his pocket. “She matched my cousins. Their mother, much like yours, tried to interfere, but Gerri gave them the perfect mate.”

If his mother wanted to play hardball, then Kasen would play. He’d get a mate all right, but on his terms. Someone sweet, docile, and ready to do his bidding. And more importantly, someone who would show his pups some love. His kids were not going through life wondering why their friends got hugs and they didn’t. Or why during sleepovers their mothers tucked all the kids in but his didn’t. No.

He pulled out his cell phone and dialed Gerri.

“This is Gerri Wilder with the Paranormal Dating Agency. How may I help you?”

Kasen pasted a grin on his face. “Hello, Mrs. Wilder. My name is Kasen Steel from the―”

“Steel Claw Pack,” said a woman with a soft but all business tone. “I know a few of your pack members. How are you, Mr. Steel?”

Great, her knowing of his pack made things a bit easier. “Good. I’m going to get down to it. I need a mate. I need someone nice, self-motivated, and able to put up with the demands of an alpha. She’ll want children and know to put family above everything else.” He thought about all the other things that he should request but realized he’d happily put up with anything if he got a woman who would work by his side instead of becoming a needy hindrance. “She’ll also know that I have a pack to run and can handle our children and minor household issues on her own.”

“Mr. Steel―”

He lifted his jean-clad legs onto his desk and pushed his leather chair all the way back. “Please, call me Kasen.”

“Kasen. What about chemistry? Love?” Gerri asked

Kasen laughed. “I’m not under the belief that this is anything but what it is. While love and chemistry would be great, I am not going to give up on anyone just because that isn’t there.”
You’re not?
“Love can grow with time. My main concern is keeping my pack tight. It’s time I found someone to grow my family. I want a woman who will love our kids.”

He went through his request in his mind. It sounded reasonable. Any woman looking for a match with him needed to be willing to start a family and give their family priority status. Fuck anything else. This was something he wouldn’t back down from.

There was a slight silence and Gerri took a slow exhale. “Kasen, do you have time for some coffee later today? I’d love to see what we can come up with together.”

“Sure,” he said and glanced at the piles of blueprints on his desk. These weren’t going anywhere anyway. Besides, once he had a mate, he’d be able to dedicate more time to work since she’d have the household under control.

After he hung up the phone, he glanced at Spike’s surprised expression. “What’s wrong?”

“You do realize Gerri Wilder is known because none of her matches ever fail, right?” Spike shoved his hands in his jeans and leaned against the frame of the door. “It’s why I found it so interesting that I had to take her card.”

Kasen snorted in disbelief. Like anyone could guarantee anything in life. “Great. If she’s so good, then she won’t make a mistake.”

Spike chuckled. “My friend, what you might consider a mistake, she might feel is the right person to send your way.”

He considered this for a second as he picked up the glass of water on his desk. She knew nothing of Kasen or his past. He doubted highly that she’d get the perfect woman for him, but even so, he was willing to try because his pack needed a female leader, and well, because Kasen wanted kids. End of story.

FOUR

Gerri glanced at both applications. A wolf and a lioness. This was not her usual course of action, but these two belonged together. She remembered how specific they had both been about asking for what they
thought
would be the right mate for themselves. Wrong. So wrong.

Neither had a clue who they belonged with. Gerri knew though. She’d set them both straight. Though her usual pairings ran with shifter and human or most recently shifter aliens and human, this was new territory, but she liked the idea. Besides, she shouldn’t limit herself when so many out there needed her help.

She picked up her phone and called Kasen Steel.

“Kasen, Gerri Wilder. If you have some time, I’d like to ask you to do me a favor. The woman I have in mind for you lives in a rather remote area. Do you feel up to taking a drive and meeting her?”

She listened to his acceptance of her request with a smile.

“Is there anything I need to know about this woman?” Kasen asked. He had the type of voice that would make most women stop and stare. This was going to be fun.

Gerri laughed. “You might want her name. Ms. Miranda Colilla.” She bit her lip to keep from giggling at her plan. “Be sure to not overwhelm her. She’s a shy little thing.”

“She already sounds perfect,” he said, enthusiasm clear in his tone.

Once the call was over, she dialed Andi.

“Gerri,” Andi said. “It was really nice meeting you yesterday. I’m hoping you are calling with some news?”

Gerri grinned. She liked Andi. Being an independent woman and having to deal with everything on her own, she was under the impression she needed a man who would just sit by and let her lead. Nope. What she needed was a partner. A man just as alpha as her who would not only help her lead, but challenge her, and at the same time, stand up to anyone who brought problems to his mate. Andi had no idea what she needed in a man, but Gerri knew.

“I’m calling because I’ve found someone I believe fits exactly what you need,” Gerri said.

Interestingly enough, neither of her clients had bothered to request that she pair them with their own type of animal. They probably took it for granted that she would. Oh well. They were about to learn that when they hired Gerri, they got what they wanted in their hearts, not what came out of their mouths.

“I’m so relieved to hear that, Gerri!”

Gerri bit her lip. She wasn’t sure that relief would last. “I’m hoping that when you meet him you still feel that way.”

Andi gave a soft laugh. “You have quite a reputation. I’m sure he will be more than adequate for my needs.”

“Andi―”

“Gerri, I’m sorry. I have a bit of a commotion in my office. I’ll get back to you tomorrow. We can discuss me meeting this man soon. Thank you!”

Gerri glanced at the phone and shrugged. Oh well. She hoped Andi liked surprises.