Their Simple Kind of Love

Mom's Lasagna

  Katie's POV

"Are you my mate?" My heart raced as I awaited an answer. It raced harder when he said nothing, and his face remained blank. He looked like he was going to say something but nothing came out of him. I had avoided him for two days after the party. I was a little miffed that he had tried to tell me what to wear. Then it occurred to me that there was a chance that I was James's mate.

So after coming to that conclusion, I avoided him. Not because I didn't want to be his mate. But because part of me thought he wouldn't want me. We were more like brother and sister, so a stupid part of me imagined him rejecting me. He would probably want someone that didn't remind him of a little sister. Of course, Michelle caught on and encouraged me to ask him. She wouldn't stop until I finally found my balls and asked James.

And here I was feeling my heartbreak as he said nothing. He took a deep breath, and I couldn't take it anymore. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked," I got up and quickly walked away from him. Tears threatened to fall from my eyes.

"Katie!" I heard him call to me, but I ignored him. I couldn't face him, especially now that I was crying like an i***t.

"Katie!" My brother's voice called. I looked up to see Tim jogging out of the packhouse towards me. He had a giant grin on his face as he ran up to me. He stopped and looked from me to James, and his smile faltered slightly. "Am I interrupting something?"

James started to say something, but I cut him off, "No," I blurted out to Tim. "You aren't interrupting. What's up, big bro?"

His smile grew again. "Sam is coming tonight. Like for real moving here tonight," He was all smiles as he spoke of his mate.

"You sound excited." I chuckled.

"Uh duh. She is the most beautiful woman in the world, and she is mine," He sighed. "I need help welcoming here thought. I don't know how to do this."

I patted Tim's shoulder and linked my arm with him. We slowly walked towards the door. "How about I make Mom's chicken lasagna for her. Did you want to have dinner with just her or the family?"

"You would make Mom's lasagna for my mate?" My brother looked at me with big blue eyes. "I sort of just want to have a small dinner tonight with just us. Then once she gets settled, we'll introduce her to the pack."

"That sounds like a plan. So is she moving into your room right away?" I asked even though I knew the answer. My brother waggled his eyebrows with a grin, and I shuddered. "Ugh, there's an image I'll never unsee."

Tim looked behind us, and I had almost forgotten about James. "James, do you want to have dinner with us tonight? I would like to have my best friend there?"

James looked between Tim and me and then smirked. "Of course, Timmy. I wouldn't miss it for the world," He said while looking directly at me.

I turned away from them and started into the packhouse. "Katie, where are you going?" My brother asked.

"I have to get the lasagna started, Tim. It takes a few hours to make, remember?" I told my brother without looking at James. That made Zia whimper suddenly. She had been quiet this whole time. 'Oh sure, now you make a sound,' I snarled and pushed back into my mind.

"Okay, sis. Sam said she'd be here around six." Tim told me, and I nodded and turned heal and rushed into the packhouse.

Once I reached our floor, I found my mother's recipe book and looked to see what I needed for the lasagna. Sighing, I wrote down what we didn't have up here and headed downstairs to the main kitchen. Jack, the head cook, was directing some of the other omegas as I walked in.

"Hello, Miss Katie," He greeted me.

"Hi, Jack. How is your mother?" His mother had surgery about a month ago.

He smiled. "Trying to go back to work, but the doctors still haven't cleared her. So we have been bringing her socks and stuff to mend. You know my Mom. She has to be doing something."

I laughed and nodded. Cheryl is the head housekeeper for the pack. She not only makes sure the packhouse is always spotless. But she also oversees the houses in the territory. Making sure they are kept cleaned and sanitized. She is a force to be reckoned with. "Tell her I said hi, next time you see her."

"Will do," Jack said and observed the list in my hand. "Let me guess you need food."

I nodded. "Yeah, my brother's mate is joining the pack tonight. I told Tim I would make our Mom's lasagna. So I need a few things." I handed Jack the note.

"You know we could make this for you," He spoke out.

I shook my head. "No, I want to make it."

"Of course you do. You are such a kind-hearted girl, just like your Mom." Jack winked. "I'll get these items for you," He walked away, and I stood waiting.

One of the other omegas walked towards me with a smile. She is Jack's mate, Amy. I smiled at her. "Hello, Amy."

"Katie, what brings you to the kitchens?" She hugged me. Amy is about thirty and shorter than me, with blondish hair and brown eyes. She is the head baker in the kitchens, and I can never get enough of her cupcakes.

"Oh, I am cooking a special dinner for my brother's mate," I told her, and her face lit up.

"Little Timmy found his mate," She giggled. "Oh, and I had hoped he would be my mate," She joked. When Tim was younger, he followed Amy all over and told everyone she was his girlfriend. Amy had been a good friend of my mother's, so she was around us a lot.

"Yeah, she is arriving tonight. My brother is so excited," I told her. "She seems nice. I only got to talk to her for like a minute."

"Where did Tim meet his mate?" Amy asked as Jack returned with a box full of the items I requested. Amy smiled at her mate.

"He met her the other night at a party in the Phoenix Moon territory," I replied. "Her name is Samantha, and she is studying to be a teacher."

"Oh lovely, we can always use more teachers in the world," Amy said while looking in the box. "Making your mom's lasagna?" She asked, and I nodded. "Hold on one second," Amy said and trotted away. She appeared a minute later with a chocolate cake in a box, and she set it in the larger box. "Timmy loves cake."

"Amy," I looked at her with folded arms.

She shrugged. "What? It's a big night for Tim. Let him have cake."

I shook my head and picked up the box, "Thanks, guys." I said before walking out of the kitchen. I climbed the stairs to the beta floor and unloaded the box. As I was unpacking it, I spotted a little gift bag sitting on the counter. It was the velvet kind with a cute bow on it. There was also a note attached to it. I opened the bag, and a very sparkly rock fell out. It was a polished amethyst. I knew it was store-bought, but I didn't care. I then read the note and knew it was from James.

Just say it.

That was all the note said. I pressed it to my chest, and a stray tear fell down my cheek. I turned to the food and got to work. As I was cooking, my father walked in.

"That smells like your Mom's lasagna," He remarked while getting a beer from the fridge.

"It is. I am making it for Tim's mate." I told my father, who was eyeing the chocolate cake. "Amy sent that up for Tim."

"Just for Tim?" My Dad snickered. "Because he is going to have to fight me for that cake." He sipped his beer and sat on one of the stools. He was dressed in black cargo pants and a black tank top.

I shook my head and continued cooking. I forgot I had left the rock and note from James on the counter and glanced back to see my father looking at it. I sighed and took the note and rock from my Dad. "Sorry, I just leave my stuff wherever."

He just nodded and sipped his beer but said nothing.

"Dad," I turned to him, and he raised an eyebrow. "You know how if a wolf discovers his mate and they are still underaged, he can't say anything, right?"

My father smirked and picked up the note James had written. "Right," He replied and set the note back on the counter.

"But if the underage mate figures it out, they can tell their mate, right?" I asked, and my father just sat smiling at me.

"Katie, just tell him, you know. It won't affect the bond if you say it. You just can't be marked until your birthday." He explained.

I sighed and leaned against the counter with my arms folded. "But what if he rejects me?"

My father scoffed. "Any wolf who rejects you would be the dumbest wolf in history," He said to me. "And not to mention dead."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Dead?"

He nodded as he stood up to get himself another beer. "Yep, any male who hurts my little girl isn't going to live very long," He proclaimed.

I couldn't help but smile at that. Ever since he kicked Marilyn out, he was back to being my Dad. The man I loved growing up. I was probably quick to forgive him for the years he let Marilyn abuse me. I hated holding grudges.

"I have to go back to the office to help Nate and Mike with something. But I'll be back for dinner. I really want to meet Tim's mate and eat Amy's cake." He wrapped his arm around my shoulder. "And Katie, if you know who your mate is, tell him you know. I have a feeling that he won't reject you." He kissed my cheek and released me. He then walked out of the kitchen.

I sighed and put the lasagna in the oven. I put the rock and note in my room and then sat at the counter in the kitchen to do my homework. I set my phone on the counter and played music. Today I felt like Fleetwood Mac. My mother loved them, and since I was cooking her lasagna, I needed to feel close to her.

My concentration on my calculus homework was broken when I heard a female voice coming up the stairs along with my brothers. I looked up to see my brother with his arm around his mate. I smiled at them.

"Hey Katie, you remember Sam?" He hooked his hand in her direction.

I nodded and stood up, and looked down at my clothes. I was dressed in jeans and an old t-shirt. I felt underdressed to be greeting my sister-in-law, but she wasn't dressed fancy. She was wearing black leggings and a tank top. I held out my hand. "It's nice to see you again, Samantha."

She wiggled out of my brother's hold and hugged me. "Oh Katie, please call me Sam." She pulled back from me and looked around the floor. "This is gorgeous."

I snorted. "Really?" Marilyn had decorated it, and I thought everything was a bit over the top. But then Sam was probably trying to be nice.

She sniffed the air. "Whatever is cooking smells freaking amazing."

"Oh, I am making chicken lasagna," I told her. "I hope you like it."

Sam smiled. "Oh, I am not picky. And from what I smell, I will love it." She clapped her hand as my brother lightly clasped her arm.

"Let me show you to our room," Tim waggled his eyebrows at her, and I shook my head.

"Ew."

He stuck his tongue out at me. "Don't be jealous," He snickered as an omega walked in dragging luggage I assumed to be Sam's. "Just set her stuff down there, please," Tim said to the omega, who nodded. Tim then dragged Sam towards his room.

"Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes Timothy," I shouted after him. I went back into the kitchen to prepare the bread. I chopped up veggies for the salad, and I started humming to myself.

I then set the table for five and got the lasagna out of the oven. My father then stepped into the kitchen. He grabbed another beer from the fridge. "Damn, that looks good, Katie," He kissed my cheek.

"Thanks, Dad," I smiled at him. I let the lasagna rest while I put the salad and the bread on the table. I sat on a stool by the counter for a minute to catch my breath. My nose wrinkled as I scented my brother and Sam walking into the living area of our floor. They were not masking the scent of the s*x I smelt on them. They had put on the same clothes they had been wearing earlier.

"Food ready yet, Katie?" My brother asked.

I nodded. "Just about." I stood up from the stool and picked up the bread and the salad. "Set these on the table for me, please."

Sam took them from me with a smile. I was trying not to look at her with disgust. She reeked of my brother, and I wanted to gag. A moment later, I set the lasagna on the table just as James walked onto our floor. I nearly dropped the dish because James just looked so damn hot. I stood there for a second with my mouth hanging out with the lasagna hovering over the table.

James had his long blonde hair pulled back in a slick pony while wearing a pair of black jeans and a blue silk shirt. He smiled at me, and I froze.

"I'll take the food before you drool into it," My brother stood up and took the pan from me, and set it on the table. He then turned to James as Sam stood up. "James, this is my mate, Samantha."

James smiled at her. "On behalf of my parents, I welcome you to Whispering Pines. I am James Brody, this lug's best friend and future Alpha," He held a hand out to Samantha.

Samantha, of course, skipped the handshake and hugged James. "Thank you for welcoming me, James. Please call me Sam." She stepped back from him after Tim let out a low growl. "Sorry, Tim. I am a hugger."

Tim wrapped his arm around her waist. "So I have noticed," He mumbled.

"Food smells good," James remarked as he stepped towards the table.

"Katie, outdid herself," My father beckoned to James. "We saved you a seat by Katie."

James sat beside me as I began to serve the lasagna. Everyone else served themselves bread and salad. Once I served everyone, we all dug into the food.

"Mmm, Katie, this is delicious," Sam smiled at me. "You are going to have to teach me how to make this."

I shrugged. "It's my Mom's recipe. I think she got it out of an old Food Network magazine."

She laughed. "I like to cook. It's something my Mom and I do together."

"So, Sam, what do you think about Whispering Pines so far?" My father asked her.

"It's great, Beta. Everyone here is so friendly," Sam replied while nibbling bread.

"Please call me Jon. You are my son's mate, so that makes you like a daughter to me." My father smiled at her. "When he becomes beta, you will be the beta female."

Sam stopped in mid-bite. "Holy crap, that is right." She looked visibly afraid for a moment. My brother clasped her hand.

"You can do it, Sam. I know you can." He smiled at her.

"But it's so much responsibility." She shuddered.

My father glanced at me. "Well, the next Luna will help you out. I have a feeling the two of you will work well together."

James coughed beside me and sounded like he was repressing a snicker. I glanced at him, and he was smiling at me. "This is good, Katie." He said to me. I smiled at him and then looked away. He cleared his throat. "My parents plan on making you an official member on Saturday."

"Can my family come? I know they aren't pack members, but I would like for them to be there. My Mom is elated that I am mated to a future beta." Sam said to James.

"I'm sure my Dad will allow that. Is it just your parents?" James sounded so diplomatic while speaking. He sounded like an alpha right now.

"I have two younger sisters Sarah and Sadie. They are twins." Sam told James.

"I'll talk to my Dad," James smiled at her.

We finished the food, and then Sam helped me clean up. "Thank you for being so welcoming."

"I am glad to welcome you. My brother deserves happiness." I told her as we loaded the dishwasher. "I wish my mother could have met you."

Sam frowned slightly. "Tim told me a lot about her. Then he told me all about your stepmother. Or should I say, ex-stepmother?"

"Definitely, ex," I chuckled. "b***h had our Dad under some sadistic spell."

Sam sighed. "She is living at my old pack now and seems to have Alpha Hank under a spell." She said while drying dishes. "Or so I have heard. One of my closest friends is Gamma Steve's daughter. She says that Marilyn is living in the packhouse and is always all over the Alpha."

"Doesn't Alpha Hank have a mate?" I asked.

"Yes, Luna Fiona is acting like she is alright with it. But my friend's Mom is friends with the Luna, and well, it's not alright with her." Sam told me.

I shook my head. "Marilyn spent years here trying to get her daughter Wendy to be James's mate. She would force poor Wendy to dress like a forty-year-old hooker in an attempt to impress James. Wendy doesn't even like men."

Sam snorted. "From what Rene told me, the alpha is planning on selling Wendy to another alpha."

I nearly dropped the dish I was holding. I was already angry with Uncle Nate and my Dad for letting Wendy go there. I knew she would be treated like crap. But now, she was going to be sold. I felt compelled to rescue my stepsister. "I can't believe that Alpha Hank would sell her."

"I can," Sam replied. "He is about money and nothing else."

We finished the dishes, and I wanted to tell Uncle Nate about what was happening to Wendy, but it was sort of late. I sat on the couch between Sam and James to watch TV. James brushed my arm and took my mind away from what was happening to Wendy. I thought about the note and the rock. 'Should I just say it?' I asked Zia.

'Yes, say it.' She replied. 'He will not reject us.'

I sighed and looked at James just as he turned away from me. "James, can I talk to you?"

"Are you going to run away from me again?" He trained his hazel eyes on me.

"I didn't run away, "I mumbled.

He laughed. "Sure."

I stood up and walked out of the living room towards my room. I could scent James was behind me. I took a deep breath and turned around to look at him. My breathing hitched as I looked at him. He is the most gorgeous man on this planet. "James," I started to say in a small voice. I looked at the floor. "I, uh-" I stuttered, trying to find the right words.

'Just say it, Katie.' Zia urged me. 'Just say you are my mate.'

My mouth suddenly felt dry as I summoned the courage to say the words. My heart thrummed against my chest. My doubts arose as I imagined him laughing and rejecting me. My hands trembled as I played with them.

"Katie," James's soft voice broke me from my thoughts. "Say it." He clasped my trembling hands.

I took a deep breath. "You are my mate," I said out loud. There was a moment of silence as I looked into his eyes. There was no expression on his face, but his eyes sparkled. "You are my mate," I said again, and he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me to him. He then smashed his lips on mine. I melted into him. We held the kiss as he ran a hand down my cheek. After a minute, we broke apart, and he had the most brilliant smile on his face. "So, does that mean you want me?"

He laughed. "Goddess, Katie, of course, I want you." He kissed me again and pressed me against the wall. The heat between us rose as his hands traveled up and down my body. He slipped his hand under my shirt and gently squeezed my breasts. I gasped, and he deepened the kiss.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, and then someone cleared their throat. James growled as I pulled away from him to look at my father standing a few feet away.

"James, I am going to ask for you not to mate with my daughter in the hallway." He told my mate.

James sighed. "Uh, sorry, Uncle Jon."

"So, I take it that the cat is out of the bag," My father's eyes flicked to me, and I nodded. "Great. I am happy for both of you. But please no mating in my hallway."

"Dad!" I croaked out.

"What, Katherine? It's bad enough I had to stop your brother from mating with Sam on the couch," My father snorted. "I am happy both of my children found their mates. But give your old man a break with the mating." He chuckled and patted James on the back before walking away.

I looked at James and blushed. He moved a strand of hair from my face. I sighed. "My Dad knew?"

He nodded. "My Dad knows too. Well, both of my parents, your brother, and my sister."

My mouth fell open. "No, wonder Michelle was pushing me to say something to you. Do we have to tell everyone now?"

James stroked my arms. "We can wait until your birthday if you want. I can't mark you until then anyways."

I blushed at that. "Right. Marking," I sighed. "I know neither of us is a virgin, but can we wait for mating until after my birthday."

His eyes flickered to black, and I knew his wolf didn't like that. "We can. I won't push you into anything you aren't ready for."

"I would like to go on birth control before we do any mating," I told him, and his smile faltered.

"You don't want pups?"

I laughed. "I want pups, James. Just not now. I want to graduate high school and college first."

"That's reasonable." He leaned down and kissed me, and I shuddered from the sparks. "I will go now. I'll see you tomorrow. Can you please have breakfast with me?"

I nodded. "Okay," I smiled.

"And I'd like to drive you to school." He told me. "I may even come to see you for lunch."

I just nodded as he made plans for us. "Okay," I replied as he kissed me one more time.

"Goodnight, my Luna," He whispered against my lips.

"Night," I mumbled as he walked away from me. I stood in that spot for a few moments before going to my room. I was on autopilot as I took my shower and got ready for bed. I lay on my bed and was almost asleep when I heard my brother's bed banging against the wall. And then Sam started screaming and moaning. I tried blocking out the noise and ended up tossing and turning on my bed. Even when they stopped, I still couldn't sleep. I got out of my bed and stumbled out of my room. I went up the stairs to the next floor and used my sense of smell to find James's room.

I knocked on the door, and the door opened, revealing a nearly naked James. His hair was hanging down on his shoulders, and his muscled body made me wet.

"What's wrong?" He asked with concern.

It took me a second to remember how to speak. "Uh, I couldn't sleep. Tim and Sam were going at it, and I just-" I looked into James's eyes. "Can I sleep in here with you? Just sleep."

"I thought you'd never ask," He stepped aside to let me in the room. He leads me to the king-sized bed, and I crawled in. He laid down behind me and pulled me to him. My backside was flush against his chest. "Goodnight, Katie," He kissed my lips.

"Goodnight, James," I replied and snuggled into him. My eyes drooped, and it took no time at all for me to fall asleep.