Page 37 of His True Mate

“I don’t mean to be. I’m trying to control it,” I grumbled.

“Clay is like the most laid back of all of the Six Pack. I’m sure he’s doing great. I can’t even really imagine him being overprotective or aggressive,” Kate said with a giggle. “Sorry, Clay.”

I shrugged, not wanting to admit just how wrong she was about me where Winnie was concerned.

Winnie snorted. “Could have fooled me,” she muttered.

I shot her a warning look praying she didn’t say anything further.

“Winnie, what can I get you to eat?” Kate asked her, gracefully changing the subject.

“Um, whatever he’s having is fine.”

I scowled. “You can order whatever you like.”

Suddenly I could feel that she was overwhelmed with everyone around us.

“I’m not picky,” she said quietly.

I nodded suddenly understanding.

“Two of the usual, Kate, and can you assholes go find something else to do now. Stop gawking at my woman.”

“I’ll let Sydney know you’ll be heading over that way,” Luke said. “It was nice meeting you, Winnie.”

“Um, you too.”

“Luke,” I reminded her.

“Luke.”

“Don’t worry. No one here expects you to remember their names right now. Just remember to breathe once in a while.”

“The mated ones are always sympathetic,” Austin explained.

“So you aren’t mated then, huh?” she said.

The guys hooted and were still giving him shit as they pushed him out of our booth and finally gave us some space.

“Sorry about that. I guess it’s better to just get it over with though. They do mean well.”

“The Six Pack?”

“Yup. Minus Thomas. Luke, Cruz, and Brady all work with me.”

We didn’t talk much while we waited for our food, but it wasn’t uncomfortable either. I think just being near Winnie soothed my soul.

Much to my surprise, Kate didn’t bring the food out herself, instead, Peyton did.

“Hey P, this is Winnie.”

“I heard. Hi, I’m Peyton. I work here. I think you met a couple of my brothers.”

“She’s Thomas’s sister, only has one brother.”

“Seriously? I was talking about Brady.”

“Oh, right. She’s mated to Brady’s brother, Oliver,” I explained as I grabbed the ketchup and started covering my eggs and hash browns.