Page 5 of This Mate Thing

I'm about to shake my head, then picture it exploding all over the windshield, and stop myself."No.Ira isn't a fan of mushrooms, but he isn't allergic."

"Who?"Puzzlement takes over his face, and I point my thumb in Ira's direction.

"Right.Ira.Cool name, dude."

Ira widens his eyes, and I can't help but smile.Then our neighbor knocks on the window frame again and walks off.I don't watch his ass as he does, but it takes effort.

I turn to Ira."What's his name?"

"Doris."

I stare."Nah...I don't think so.Doris is a girl's name."

Ira's brows draw together."I'm almost sure he said Doris."

"We'll Google before we head over.I need a painkiller.My head is about to explode."

Ira gives one short nod, shoves the cookie papers into his backpack, and opens the door.

* * * *

Chapter 3

Boris

I call Zahrah the moment I step over the threshold while more or less running toward the kitchen.I like to cook, and when I work, I most often work in the restaurant business.

Maybe it's time I start looking for a job.I've lived here for two months now, and I haven't so much as glanced at any ads.Watching Simon takes up all my time.

I don't need a job to survive.Our pack is rich.Not in a gaudy, opulent way.We don't have a palace, and there is no gold decor either, but there are funds, and the pack has excellent economic advisers.

All members get a sum every month to cover the basics.It's too dangerous to have hungry or unhoused werewolves running around, so the pack takes care of its members.

If there is trouble of some kind, we all pitch in, so it's not money without strings, but I would have helped anyway.If a pack mate is in trouble, I'll help.

"Have you been arrested?"Zahrah's voice is droll.

I frown at the phone."No?Why?"

"I don't know, just a feeling."

"That I'll get arrested?Why?"

She snorted."Stalking?"

"I am not a stalker."

"Riiight.Soon you'll be brought in for indecent exposure."

I splutter."Why?"It comes out as more of a whine than I wanted it to.

"I know you.You'll want to show Simon your junk soon, and he, normal as he appears to be, won't know what the hell is going on.He'll walk out the door one morning, kid in tow, and be met by a massive dick.He'll have no choice but to call the cops.He'll have to protect his child from the creep next door, after all."

I huff."Thank you for saying my dick is massive.I didn't know you'd looked."She's not wrong.I'm gifted.

"Eww."

"Zahrah."I say her name, so she'll know I'm serious.