A Faked Mate

Chapter 6 - Presley

Time seemed to have stood still. Zaine's big brown eyes are wide and they are looking at me with what I fear may be shock. What did I just say? Where did that idea even come from? Seriously now. That thought has never even crossed my mind before and then I blurt it out?! Maybe that coffee had not sobered me up as much as I had hoped. Either that or my brain was full on malfunctioning, because that has to be the craziest thing I think I may have said!

'Is it?' Shira whispered. 'He is always there for us. He needs our help.'

My eyes flickered across the handsome features of my friend as the words of my wolf sink in. Maybe she could be right. While I am not sure where those words came from, I know they came from somewhere... a good place. My heart, perhaps. Wanting to do the right thing for my friend. And as I sit, continuing to look at Zaine, his eyes full of confusion, I realise I meant the words I had spoken. He had me. I was willing to be there for him if he needed me. He has always been there for me, maybe this is my way to be there for him.

The awkward silence was broken as Zaine began to speak. “Pres, I don't know if you even thought that through. I mean, that is a lot to offer.” He muttered quietly, his brows furrowing, as his hand ran through his hair in a shaky movement. "The whole thing with my parents was so spur of the moment, it took me by surprise, so I imagine it did the same to you. I don't expect you to help."

I felt a frown forming upon my face. This was typical of my friend. He was always there for others, but when it came to him he would rather struggle than seek help. Maybe it was the Alpha in him, or maybe he was just a stubborn, pain in the ass. Personally, I think it was the latter of the two. But, with this, I knew that I wanted to help, wether he asked or not. What his parents were asking, while not unusual, was something I could see was making Zaine unhappy. I hated the thought of my friend being unhappy. And, besides, this was something to effect the rest of his life...

“But, if it helps, Zee, it means you aren’t being forced to marry someone you don’t know, and someone you don’t want.” I explained, but as I paused for a moment, I realised that it may sound like I was implying he would want to marry me. “Not that I am saying you want to marry me.” I quickly added to clarify that I knew that would never be the case. This was simply a favour. Nothing more.

Zaine’s face broke into a wry smile. “Of course. I mean, who in the right mind would want to marry you?”

“Exactly." I agreed with a grin. "But, I want to help with this, Zee.” I whispered. “Even if it is only for a short time. See it as a favour from a friend. Not like you haven't done plenty of those for me in our time here. I'm just returning the many favours I owe you. And, while doing that, you gain your title. Then you can make the changes you need to rules within your pack so you are free to live as you please, and we end things.”

I could almost see the cogs turning within his brain as his eyes flickered with a realisation of what it is I am suggesting. I think what I had suggested may work. If his family believed he was marked and mated they were never going to continue a marriage search. He could not have an arranged marriage whilst mated to another. We could make them believe we were a couple, I am certain. We were close friends. We know each other well.

Those big brown eyes looked back at me once more. “A temporary fix.” He mumbled. Was he beginning to see this the same way I was? I hoped so. For the last thing I wanted was to see my friend stuck in a marriage he did not want.

“Well I didn’t expect you to stay with me if that is what you thought. Hell, it has probably killed you tolerating me for the last few years at college.” I offered him a grin, and his face broke into another big smile.

“Oh yeah, has been absolute torture." He affectionately ruffled my hair, before dropping his back against the booth with a heavy sigh. "I don't know, Pres, this is still a lot to do for me. You were looking forward to going home.”

“I can always visit. Not like I will never return is it?” I nudged him gently with my elbow. “Like you said it is simply a temporary fix. Done to help you gain what you need. Get you the title. Change the pack to be the way you want, and then we declare that we don't work and I piss off. All short term." I reassured him. "So I will be headed back at some point. My pack have managed with me so far, I am sure they can manage a little longer.” I added, hoping to be as lighthearted as possible. I didn't want to let him know the thought of being away from home was offering mixed feelings. He did not need to know that. He needed my help, and I wanted to be able to give him that.

But, it was almost like Zaine had sensed my uncertainty. His face tilted slightly as his eyes drift over my face, as he released another heavy sigh. “Even so…” His voice faltered.

He does not sound too certain now. My offer had been genuine, I had realised, but seeing the uncertainty upon my friend’s face, I am beginning to think it may have been the wrong thing to do. I do not think this is something he wanted from me. Or, perhaps he felt it was something he could not ask of me. I was forever making bad choices. Either way, Zaine looked uncomfortable. Like he did not know what to do, nor what to say.

‘Laugh it off.’ Shira suggested.

I laughed. A fake, put on laughter, all for the benefit of Zaine. “Too much drink, again, I think.” I rested my head upon his shoulder and he smiled.

“Yeah?” His expression was unreadable. “Imagine tolerating you for longer than I needed to.” He quickly added, all but repeating my earlier words, and I smiled, glad that he wasn’t making this awkward. He seemed to have taken the get out I had offered. He did not want to use my offer of a fake relationship to trick his parents so he was not forced into an arranged marriage. I understood that. We were good as friends. I cannot imagine us as anything else, fake or not…