Page 68 of Thrown into the Mob

I pulled him close and shrugged. “Kids! Better get used to it.” I patted the envelope in my pocket which was Storm’s present. “Seems like we made a great choice.”

Bedlam raged around us as kids tore between adults, and Ranger tried to corral the little ones so they could start playing games. But he wasn’t having much success, and Matt and Tony were having no luck getting Allegra to remember where she put the candles. Brielle and Lottie were chasing Storm, while Lua was on Brock's lap. She seemed a little overwhelmed by the noise and the wrapping paper covering the floor.

Grandpa was in the kitchen, and I sniffed the enticing smells wafting from there. Treyton stuck his head out armed with a wooden spoon.

“You’re finally here. I’m surprised we could lure you away from the paddling pool.”

“Very funny.”

I found Conrad a comfortable chair as Matt yelled, “Found them,” and held up a packet of candles.

Odell appeared and pulled up a chair beside my mate. He was pregnant too and due around the same time as Conrad.

“I’m so glad I have an excuse not to shepherd any children.” He patted his belly and jerked a head at Hunter who was telling Brielle she couldn’t open Storm’s remaining presents.

“Should we give Storm the gift now or wait?” Conrad yanked the front of my shirt so our heads touched. “Perhaps we should wait until the end of the party because of what Kendric said.”

I agreed.

This party reminded me of ones I’d had as a kid. There were no magicians, favor bags, or professional party planners. Just family, kids having fun, cake, balloons, and Ranger trying to get the kids to play pin the tail on the pretend wolf.

“Madd!” Matt appeared and hugged me and Conrad. My mate did that thing when they got an unexpected hug where they extended their arms outward before wrapping them around the other person.

“Madd should join the kidnapped club. Tony, me, Odell, Treyton, and now you are members.”

“Except you were all kidnapped by your mate-to-be, I was taken by the Father.” If I was going to be in a club, I’d want Conrad as a member too.

Matt patted my arm. “But you found your mate in the end.”

“Everyone in the garden.” Treyton shouted above the noise. “Grandpa says five minutes until food.”

“But Grandpa can’t cook.” Lottie had her hands on her hips. She looked at Rudy who nodded.

“He can't boil an egg,” Allegra joined in.

“I don’t want to eat an egg,” Storm protested.

“Okay, okay. I’m talking about my grandpa who is also Madd’s grandpa and Brock’s and Conrad’s. He’s made food,” Treyton added.

Awww, he included my mate. Conrad and I shared a glance because his birth family was either non-existent or murderous, and he rested his shoulder on mine. We didn’t speak because words couldn’t describe this moment where my mate was included in our large, loud, and boisterous family.

“Who?” Brielle piped up.

“Uncle Arnie,” the adults shouted.

Storm appeared beside us and took Conrad’s hand. “You have a grandpa. He is not my grandpa.” He pointed at Rudy. “That’s my grandpa.”

A table had been set up near the fenced pool, and the tablecloth was dotted with dinosaurs which was Storm’s current obsession. Pizza, chicken wings, and corn dogs appeared, and when everyone had eaten, Grandpa emerged from the house carrying a cake shaped like a dinosaur, and the singing started before he'd reached the table.

“I think we made a great choice with the present considering how Storm loves dinosaurs.” Conrad gave me a look. “Not that large extinct animals are similar to dragons, but the birthday boy has never seen a real dinosaur or dragon.”

Ranger held Storm over the cake so he could blow out the candles, and we clapped. Matt helped the little boy cut the first slice and then he took over. The kids were supposed to sit and eat their cake, but that lasted five seconds, and soon they were running around and hiding under the table, trampling cake on the grass, and smearing frosting on the adults.

“We could really use a distraction.” Matt was looking at us and cocking his head as Lua slapped a sticky hand on his butt. “Maybe the first part of that present.”

I nudged my mate. “I think you’re up.”

Our birthday present for Storm was to let him see my mate’s dragon after the baby was born.