Lawful Mates - Liam Kingsley Page 0,1

Jamie and Tuck asked you to be one of the godfathers.”

Ah, yes. I’d almost forgotten I was one of two godfathers for the baby. The other being Jamie’s best friend.

“Easton did show up with the cake, though, but with this crowd, I’m pretty sure we’ll need both anyway. Here, trade with me, and I’ll take care of the cake.”

Before I could say anything, she was taking the cake from me, balancing it with one hand while she held Addison cradled against her with the other. I quickly reached for the baby, tucking him in tightly to my chest. Then Jamie’s mom was taking off through the crowd with the cake, leaving the two of us alone.

I looked down at the little bundle and smiled. Addison had to be the cutest baby I’d ever seen, and I wasn’t just saying that because he was my best friend’s son. I brushed a finger over his chubby cheek, marveling at the softness of his skin, and he let out a little coo that made my heart melt.

Even if I wasn’t the best with people, I definitely loved kids. Maybe because they were so innocent and accepting. They didn’t have expectations or make assumptions. They just took you as you were.

I adjusted my hold on Addison, rubbing his back as I lifted him up to cradle him against my shoulder, and then I gave his soft cheek a little kiss. Yeah, I loved this little guy already. As much as if he were my own. Tuck must have realized this, and that was why he made me one of the godfathers.

Glancing around the yard, I spotted Jamie and Tuck across the way and started to pick my way through the crowd. It took longer than I expected since I was holding Addison. Everyone wanted to stop me so they could get a look at the baby, cooing and marveling over him.

It took some effort, but I kept a smile on my face and attempted to make some kind of small talk with each of them. It was exhausting.

As I got closer to my friends, I realized they weren’t alone. Another man was standing with them, holding another cake, his back to me. I could only assume he was Easton, Jamie’s best friend—and the other godfather.

Tuck caught sight of me and laughed, looking over the guy’s shoulder. “Look who decided to finally show up,” he said, teasing.

I started to throw back some mocking retort about having to pick up the ball that Easton had dropped, but then I realized Easton was still holding the cake. And it was way more extravagant than the one I’d brought, made by some fancy bakery, no doubt. Annoyance flared in my chest again. Maybe it was petty of me, but I was pissed at being outdone, even though it hadn’t been my job to get the cake in the first place.

Before I could come up with something else to say, I heard a lupine whine, followed by Jamie’s voice. “Oh boy.”

Jamie glanced from Easton to me, his eyes wide, and I could feel the weight of Tuck’s stare on me as Easton finally turned around.

That was when I’d felt it. All thoughts of the cake and any annoyance were gone in an instant, replaced by confusion as my wolf seemed to roar to life inside my chest.

I clutched Addison tightly to me with one hand and rubbed at my chest with the other. What the fuck? My heart was racing, my pulse pounding out of control. My wolf paced, just beneath the surface, wild and primal and demanding. And for the life of me, I couldn’t look away from the man standing before me, his blue eyes wide as he took me in. What the hell was happening?

He stared, frozen in place, just as I was. I noted his straight nose and chiseled jawline, the high cheekbones, and full lips. His blond hair was cropped close on the sides but left a little longer on top. If I’d been able to think clearly, I would have thought he was the most gorgeous man I’d ever laid eyes on, but I was having trouble functioning.

Tuck’s sharp laugh broke the trance. “No fucking way. Oh, this is rich. Well, Easton, allow me to introduce you to my best friend, Percy. Percy, this is Jamie’s best friend, Easton.”

I’d figured as much, but I was seeing this man in a whole new light. And I wasn’t sure I liked it. At all.

As if