The Contrary Mate

Not long ago it was dropping my mate off on the side of the highway like she was ashamed of me—if she would even allow me to give her a ride at all—and today it was meeting the parents. The parents, half of whom did not even know that she was dating someone the fae apparently saw as a heretical technological super villain.

This escalated quickly.

The speed we were moving likely was all thanks to influence from the bond between us, and I was imminently grateful. The sooner her people got over their shock and horror that Aura was my mate, the sooner I could be with her in my every spare moment. I didn't know if she would want to live in my home, but it wasn't like I wouldn't walk away from it in a second for her. Part of my pack was there, and they didn't need me present to function, and it wasn't as if I couldn't be perfectly happy in a hovel as long as she was with me.

But first, there were the parents. It was fortunate that the reluctant parent was her mother, because I was far more confident I could win her over than vice versa. Presuming I had any finesse left after all the stupid missteps I'd made with my own mate.

We arrived at the door and she pushed it open, slightly cautiously. I wanted to touch her, but I figured it was better to hang back and not stress out her parents too much.

"Mom? Dad?"

A deep voice responded from the back of the house. "Just me here, your mother's outside, Aura."

She glanced at me and called back. "Thanks Dad. Um, I have someone here for you to meet."

"I'll be right down," he called, and a moment later a very human looking fae emerged through a door. His hair was blond and he had just the beginning of wrinkles. He was as slight as his daughter and only a couple of inches taller than she was. I was by no means huge for a werewolf, but I felt like a hulking giant upon meeting the man. He met my eyes and nodded before looking towards his daughter for an introduction.

"Dad, this is Jack Wright."

"You can call me August," he invited, before walking forward and shaking my hand. His grip was firm and steady.

"And of course, please call me Jack," I responded. I instantly liked him. I sensed a quiet strength in his support for Aura, and I couldn't help but appreciate that when it came to my mate.

"Thanks. Want to sit and have a drink?" he offered, looking between me and his daughter.

I waited for her lead, and she shook her head. "I actually think I should take Jack out and introduce him to Mom first before we do that. Rex followed me to Jack's place today, and he's been pretty upset about the whole thing so I doubt he'll keep his mouth shut for long."

Her father nodded in understanding. "Well, it was going to come out eventually. And it's probably good strategy to catch her out there when she's relaxed."

Aura laughed. "Exactly. Come on, Jack." She took my hand and pulled me through the house and out a back door off of the kitchen. The unthinking way she touched me pleased my wolf to no end.

It was getting dark out, but even if I couldn't see well enough through the darkness, there were lights sprinkled here and there as we walked. The yard in the back was a mass of greenery, all of which looked more or less the same to me, but I was certain it had additional meaning to someone like Aura who understood it well. There seemed to be paths throughout, well trod into the dirt, but it was much like walking through narrow forest trails. My shoulders brushed plants on both sides when the trails narrowed, although some parts had much lower growth and I could walk more easily.

I was sure it was organized chaos, although I couldn't figure it out. Aura walked in front of me, and for a moment my eyes ran down her back and admired her figure before I forced my gaze to instead appreciate the more innocent observation of the way she ran her fingers over the various plants as she passed them, almost comfortingly, like a caring caress, much like I had seen her do at my own place.

She was fascinating. And she seemed so free here. If living somewhere like this was what she needed to feel comfortable, then I would stay with her here. If the rulers of the fae refused that, I would recreate a place exactly like this for my mate, wherever she desired.

We reached a part where I at least recognized tomatoes—one point for me—growing from masses of green that gave off a stinging pungent odor as I failed to slip past them without touching. The area opened up a bit to what even I could recognize as a vegetable garden, and there was a woman with long hair doing something I didn't understand to some plants. She seemed happy, though, because she was humming a lilting tune so quietly Aura might not have been able to hear it. There were lights floating in the air around her.

"Hey Mom, I brought someone to meet you." Aura's voice was slightly hesitant, and I battled the urge again to try to support her with my touch and kept my hands to myself.

The woman brushed herself off as she turned, and smiled, and I could see where Aura had got her own expression from. "Oh? After last night, I didn't think you'd be bringing him by any time soon."

Aura sighed. "Well, Rex followed me, so I don't think my non-fae boyfriend is going to remain secret for long. So I thought you and Dad should be the first to meet him. Mom, this is Jack."

"Nice to meet you, Jack. I'm Clara. I'd greet you properly, but I'm covered in dirt."

I smiled the smile I reserved for people who I liked, and nodded, following her lead. "It's a pleasure to meet you, and your garden is lovely."

I could tell I hit on the right tactic, because she noticeably softened. "Thank you, although I can't take all the credit, Aura's magic really helps sustain it. She's a rare talent."

My mate flushed slightly, barely noticeably, but my sharp eyes didn't miss it. "I can tell. I've been impressed—and mystified—by her abilities from the moment I met her."

She smiled at me, and it seemed genuine. I desperately wanted Aura's mother to like me, because my mate would be happier if I got along well with her parents. I might not be able to sway all the fae, but I could at least try to help her with those closest to her.

Her mother ran a hand over a plant in a way that very much reminded me of my mate, and glanced at her. "Maybe we should go inside and visit with your father. Won't you stay for tea, Jack?"

Before I could decide how I should answer her, Aura cut in. "Actually, Mom, there's more you need to know."