Five Years as My Mate's Stand-In

The phone's ringing snaps me out of my daze. I shove the pregnancy test onto the toilet tank and grab the call. "Dad?" "Lauren, I hit the market early and stocked up on groceries. Just come straight over, no need to grab anything." I frown. "Didn't we agree I'd handle the cooking? You just had dialysis yesterday-you need to rest." Steven's voice brims with excitement. "My future son-in-mate's coming over for the first time. Gotta do it right. Plus, I'm thrilled." I don't push back, just mutter, "Fine, wait for me to help," and hang up. Dad and I spend the afternoon cooking up a storm, filling the table with dishes. But as the food goes cold, Cole's nowhere in sight. My texts to him sink into the void, unanswered. Dad's face darkens, and I feel the heat of embarrassment. I try to smooth it over, then step onto the balcony to call Cole again. This time, the phone rings until it finally connects. "You on your way?" I ask, cutting to the chase. "Dad's been waiting." There's a pause, then Cole's voice, like he's just remembering. "Sorry, got caught up with pack office training. Lost track of time." A burst of noise interrupts him-laughter, clinking glasses. Then a voice cuts through, sharp and mocking. "This again? Her sickly dad's just ill, not dead. Does she have to make a big deal out of this dinner?" The line erupts in laughter. Someone teases, "Alexis, you jealous or what?" "Jealous? Please," she snaps. "Oh, come on, you're the queen of playing hard to get. Let Cole off the hook already!" More laughter fades into the background. Cole must've stepped out to the balcony, because it gets quieter. I hear him light a cigarette, his voice low and rough. "Lauren, I'm new at the pack office. Can't exactly pull rank and bail. Boss says I stay. I'll make it up to Steven another time, alright?" Boss? I almost laugh. Alexis is his real alpha, isn't she? The loyal wolf at her side. My grip tightens on the phone. Before I can respond, a distant voice calls out, "Cole, you done? Your turn to play." A bitter smirk curls my lips. "Got it," I say. Cole stubs out his cigarette, his tone warm with a lazy grin. "Good girl. Always so understanding. I'll make it up to you tonight." I hang up and head back to the table, forcing a breezy tone. "Dad, he's stuck at work. Let's eat. I'll heat up the food." Dad pats my hand, signaling me to sit. "Lauren, I want to see you bound before I'm gone, but not if it means you're settling just to ease my mind. If a bond doesn't bring you joy, I'd rather you stay unbound." "My pup, you've always got what it takes to start over." My nose stings, and I duck my head to hide the tears welling up. After a moment, I look up with a shaky smile. "Got it. Geez, Dad, you're getting all sappy on me." He knows I'm stubborn, always shouldering things alone, never showing weakness. So he lets it slide with a chuckle, and we move on. We eat, chat, and by the time I'm ready to leave, Dad stuffs my hands with takeout containers-my favorite foods, every one. Back home, I drop the bags on the table and head upstairs to pack. When I come down with my suitcase, Cole's there, leaning against the kitchen counter with a glass of water, like he never left. Our eyes lock. He raises a brow, casual as ever, then glances at my suitcase. ---