Midlife Wolf Mate Book 3

“What in the hell are you doing here?” The words fly out of my mouth before I even think to soften them.

Troy, my ex, gives me a solid once-over. His hazel eyes take in everything. It’s not the kind of gaze that makes a girl feel special, either. No, the sneer definitely makes me want to shrink back into myself the way I used to for years.

I hate that he can still do that to me.

“I thought it would be obvious. But I can see now that your head is somewhere else,” he fires back. “No shocker there.”

My anger flares and I plant a hand on my hip. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He snorts from his nose and responds, “You’re obviously getting ready to whore yourself out. Being a parent is low on the totem pole, I see.”

I gape at him, unable to find the words to lob his direction after a comeback like that.

I mean, pot, meet kettle.

He couldn’t care less about his family—his kids—their entire existence. That is until they were no longer in his control. Now, of course, they mean something to him.

Go figure.

Stone comes into view, tentatively walking down my driveway with a bouquet of the prettiest flowers I’ve ever seen. He’s dressed in a light blue button-down shirt that’s rolled up at the sleeves, showcasing his tattoos and strong upper body. He’s paired it with faded denim jeans and loafers and is absolutely the sexiest man I’ve ever seen.

My heart both expands and contracts at the sight of him.

This is not how I wanted our first official date to go. This is not how I wanted him to pick me up—or for him to meet the ex, for that matter.

It’s not supposed to be like this.

I suck in a quick breath and Troy glances over his shoulder, following my gaze.

Stone eyes the two of us as he approaches, a curious look on his face, as he continues toward us. I’m sure he can feel my anxiety and apprehension, but he doesn’t even let it phase him. He walks up the steps, past Troy, and leans in to plant a kiss on my cheek.

“Hey, babe,” he says, handing me the flowers. “You look beautiful.”

Still stunned, I take the flowers from him and clutch them to my chest like a shield. I can’t even form words so that I can tell him he looks sexy as hell, too. Instead, my mouth opens and closes soundlessly.

“Couldn’t even let the ink dry on our divorce before shacking up with the first guy you meet, huh?” Troy spits out, eyeing Stone with the kind of look that could start a war. “Shoulda known that was why you wanted to move, Ella. How long was this going on?”

White-hot anger swirls in the pit of my stomach and I wrap my hand around the stems of my flowers to the point of crushing them. It’s either the stems or Troy’s neck and I don’t feel like spending my first date with Stone in jail, thanks very much.

“First of all, the divorce has been final for over a year, Troy. Secondly, who I date is none of your goddamn business,” I say, my voice wavering more than I’d like. “Now, I’d like you to please leave. I have plans.”

“Like hell. I didn’t come all this way to not get what I came here for. I want to see the kids and I damn well will,” he grounds out. His eyes flash a warning, even if his expression and stance didn’t do the job.

I feel Stone bristle at my side right before he says, “Ella asked you to leave.”

As if it couldn’t get much worse, Troy actually squares up to Stone and steps into his personal space. While Troy is a couple of inches taller, he’s far lankier. Stone could sneeze and break Troy in two—even without the whole werewolf, super-strength and speed thing.

“No one asked you. This is between me and my wife,” Troy laments.

“Ex-wife,” Stone fires back.

Troy’s nostrils flare and he actually looks like he’s about to throw a punch.

Acting fast, I thrust my free arm between the two of them the way I would with Asher and Avery. “If the two of you are done swinging your dicks around, can you both please back up and give each other some space?”

Neither of them move.

“Mom, I thought you and Stone were going out. Why are you still—”

I spin around to find Avery locked in her classic F-response. She’s frozen to the ground, mid-sentence hanging in the aether. Her eyes are trained on her dad and I can only imagine what’s going through her head right now.

“Avery, come here,” Troy says, shaking out of his testosterone-induced standoff. At least he knows not to act like a complete ass in front of his daughter.

“I’m good.” Avery stays where she is, refusing to move any closer.

“It appears you’re not wanted here,” Stone warns, his voice edging toward dangerous. I can feel his anticipation—like he’s just waiting for Troy to throw the first punch before he pounces. “You should go.”

“Fuck off. That’s my kid,” Troy says, pointing toward Avery. “I came to see her and her brother and I’m not leaving until I do.” He turns his menacing sneer toward me. “Tell Romeo here to get lost.”

Stone takes a step forward, a growl rumbling low in his chest. I reach out, placing my hand in the center of his torso to hold him back. When he halts, I turn to him, and plead with my eyes.

“Stone,” I say, softening my tone. I’m not entirely sure what to do, but having an altercation between the two of them will cramp any kind of plans for a romantic evening.

He shakes his head, clearly picking up what I’m throwing down. “Not a chance. I’m not leaving without you.”

“He just wants to see his kids,” I protest. If I can give him some time with his kids, maybe he’ll get it out of his system and be gone.

“Stone? What a dumbass name,” Troy mutters, laughing humorlessly under his breath.

I flash him a warning look to back off.

Stone’s dark brows pull in and his jaw sets. Through our bond, his conflicting emotions come through loud and clear and I wait a moment for him to sort himself out.

“Maybe we should postpone our date. I can stick around so Troy has some time with the kids and—” I begin.

“I’m here for a week,” Troy huffs, running his hand through his dirty blond hair and making it stick up, but not in the sexy, wind-blown way Stone’s always is.

“Good, then you can go and come back another time,” Stone retorts, although, by his tone, it’s meant as anything other than helpful.

Again, Troy snickers and jabs a thumb toward Stone. “Can you believe the balls on this guy?”

I stare Troy down, refusing to be swayed to his side or go against what Stone’s saying. “It’s a fair assessment. The kids and I weren’t expecting you. You didn’t make any arrangements with us. You should go and we can figure out a time for you to see them tomorrow.”

“See who tomorrow?” Asher asks, bounding down the stairs. Like his sister, when he reaches the bottom and locks eyes with his dad, he freezes. His face loses some of its color and his fists clench at his sides.

Avery still hasn’t budged. She’s watching everything play out and probably considering her exits if things go sideways.

I clear my throat. “Asher, Avery—your dad’s here to see you before school starts.”

“No thanks,” Asher retorts, not moving a muscle.

“Come on, Ash. Don’t be like that. Your mom’s clearly”—he looks in my direction, barely holding back his distaste, then turns back to Asher—“going out. We could have dinner. Just the three of us. How about that?”

“I don’t think that’s—” I begin, shaking my head.

“They’re not babies, Ella. Christ. It’s not like I’m going to kidnap them or something,” Troy says with an eye roll that rivals his daughter’s.

Great. I wasn’t thinking about that…but now I will be.

This seriously can’t be happening.

I drop the flowers by my side and press my fingertips on my free hand to my forehead. I have to be dreaming, right? Or living my worst nightmare.

“Mom, you should go with Stone,” Asher says, his voice stronger than it was a few moments ago.

I turn around, shaking my head. “I’m not leaving you alone.”

Troy crosses his arms over his torso and glares at me. “They won’t be alone. Unlike how it would have been had I not turned up.”

My teeth grind together and I practically growl. “As you so pointedly stated, they’re not babies. They can handle being in the house together for a couple of hours without me.”

Troy smirks. “Then go.”

I can tell by the way he looks at me, the idea of a few hours alone without me around is appealing to him. He already thinks I brainwash the kids against him. Who knows what he plans on doing when he thinks he could do the same?

I hate this. I hate feeling like he has ulterior motives and it could have devastating results on the life we’ve been trying to build here.

“Seriously, Mom. We can handle it,” Asher repeats. “We want you to have a nice time on your date.”

However, Avery spins around, jutting out her chin and shaking her head at him. When Asher refuses to look at her, she stomps past him and up to her room. Her door slams shut.

Stone reaches out and takes my hand. I can feel the support he’s trying to offer through our pack connection—but he’s leaving the plan up to me. Allowing me the space to decide what’s most comfortable. I really do love that about him.

Unfortunately, I have no fucking clue what to do. I’m torn completely in half here.

I glance from Asher to Troy. “This only works on one condition.”

Troy’s left eyebrow arches. “And what’s that, pray tell.”

I’ve never wanted to use my Alpha voice to put someone in their place more than I want to right now.

Inhaling a deep breath through my nose, I try to release my own frustration. This is about the kids—sure. But it’s also about Stone. I don’t want him to feel like he’s pushed aside the second my ex comes calling.

“You can have dinner with the kids—but it has to be here. There’s pizza money in the kitchen. Stay as long as they’re willing to—” I want to say deal with you, but instead I say, “chat with you. But you have to leave when they’ve had enough. And if Avery doesn’t want to come down, you don’t force her.”

“I came here to see them both,” he says through gritted teeth.

“She’s been through enough. She’ll come down when she’s ready and you’re not going to rush that. That’s the deal. Take it or leave it. I’m perfectly fine with turning you away tonight,” I say, elevating my chin and staring him directly in the eye.

He holds still, surveying me for a moment as he works his jaw back and forth. Finally, he nods. “Fine.”

I tip my head in acknowledgment and spin to face Asher. “You heard that, right? As soon as you want Dad to go, tell him. And if he doesn’t listen, you let me know.” I shoot Ash a pointed stare and feel my entire being vibrate with my Alpha energy. If my eyes didn’t change color and start to glow, I’d be hella surprised.

Asher’s eyes widen and he nods.

I turn back to Troy. “I’m trusting you with them. Don’t make me regret that decision.” With that, I walk over to Asher and hand him the flowers. “Put these in a vase for me, please. One under the kitchen sink will be fine. Then put them in my bedroom.”

Asher nods, taking the flowers from me. “Okay, Mom. Love you.”

“Love you, too, kiddo.” I wrap my arms around his shoulders and bring him in close. Beside his ear, I quietly tell him, “Keep an eye on your sister. Do not let him near Avery if she isn’t ready. Okay?”

“Okay,” he whispers and squeezes me tight.

When I step back, I ignore Troy completely and instead, face Stone. “Are you ready?”

His green eyes are full of questions, but he nods.

“Good, let’s go.”

I pat Asher on the arm and walk out. Troy steps aside to let me pass, then enters my house. My stomach erupts in a bundle of nervous energy—and not the good kind I was expecting to feel tonight.

“Do not make me regret this,” I repeat, casting one final glance his direction.

Rather than respond, he smirks at me, then closes my front door, effectively trapping my two kids inside with him—and leaving me outside, hardcore questioning my decision.