His Mate, His Girlfriend

Chapter 103

The Krayton Family

Michael

| was a nervous wreck. | invited my entire family over for dinner at my house. | wanted them to meet my mate. | first texted my elder sister, Margret, to confirm if she was coming.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

| was standing in front of the mirror when Todd walked behind me, his hands on my shoulder.

“You're so tense, Michael. You need to relax,” he said. | narrowed my gaze on him. He wasn’t in the least nervous.

Why are you so calm about this? | told you what my father is like towards g ays,”

So what? | already know what to expect. Also, this is not my first Rodeo. My ex-boyfriend’s mother and grandfather were terrible towards us,” Todd was very calm. | was worried about him. | wouldn’t

want my father to send him running from me.

Is your mom coming?” he asked. My mother had met him already, and they hit it off. Todd met some of my family members. It was only my Dad. | didn’t introduce them.

| was also worried that my parents would see each other for the first time since Dad’s engagement party. My mom caused a scene and lunged for my father and his now wife, Raya. They had a complex relationship. It was a bitter-sweet relationship, and no one wanted to

witness it.

Relax, honey, everything will be alright,” he assured me. | smiled and kissed him deeply. | wanted more of his lips, as always. His lips were addicting. However, he pulled away from me and scowled as he

observed me.

Change the shirt. It washes you out,” he said and turned to leave.

| knew it,” | sighed and changed into a blue shirt instead of a pink.

| heard talking and yelling downstairs. It was probably my sister’s children. Those four could never get along.

“They're here!” Todd screamed.

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Almost done!” | hollered to him before he came in there and dragged me out. My phone beeped, and | checked. It was Margret telling me they were downstairs, and Dad brought Raya. That couldn’t be. | deliberately didn’t invite Raya because the tension in the room would be high with Mom there.

Todd was done waiting. He grabbed my wrist and took me out. From where we stood upstairs, | saw them. They were interacting with each other. Dad was doing a great job separating Raya and my mom to come close to each other.

Let's go,”

We descended the stairs hand in hand. | attempted to pull my hand away from Todd but | didn’t. | only held him tighter. Ellis was right Our loved ones deserve to be loved unapologetically, and if Dad decides to make things difficult because he was stuck in his old ways, | will cut all contact with him. It was the moment of truth.

“The Krayton family,”

My Dad's face was white, and his mouth hung open while the gorgeous woman by his side, Raya, had an ear-splitting grin, clapping her hands softly. Dad glared at her, and she only rolled her eyes. My sister and her husband, Gary, were smiling like my mom, who seemed to enjoy taking pictures of my father’s ashen face.

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Welcome, everyone,” | said, “I want to officially introduce my mate, Todd Walsh,” | said. Claps erupted from everyone except my father.

Raya was the first one to approach,

“| knew it. I just knew it! Congratulations, Michael!” she was genuinely excited for me, and | smiled as | hugged her back.

She hugged Todd and smiled back at my father, “I wish Preach was here. | told him Michael would have the perfect mate,” Dad didn’t

seem impressed by her, but Raya didn’t care.

“Dad,” | called slowly. He chuckled, unable to believe this. He looked at the rest of the family,

“You're all pulling my leg, right? Is today the 1st of April?” The 1st of April was fools’ day. We loved it in my family because it was the day we played pranks and teased each other.

No, Shawl, today is the 29th-”

Margret, it’s talking again,” my father interrupted Gary. He didn’t like him so much because he thought my sister could do better. But

Margret would never find a man as caring or as loving as Gary.

Dad!” Margret and | shouted, “I swear I’m tired of your disrespect towards my husband,” she glared at him.

“Michael, this is obnoxious. A man can’t marry another man! It’ right, nor does it make sense!” he shouted, glancing at Todd. “Dad, I’m g ay, and | love it. | accept it. | don’t care how you feel ab that, honestly. | only invited you here because you're my father, an still respect you, but you're losing my respect,” | told him. Margret gulped her wine,

Come on, Tina, talk to him. He always listens to you. Tell him this is wrong,” he said to my mom. Mom only rolled her eyes.

“You are mates, and then what? Do you get married? What about kids? And how do | tell my friends? What happens to our family legacy!” he shouted...

“You are only thinking about yourself, Dad! Todd makes me happy,”

Who the hell is Todd?!” he yelled. He was losing it at this point. His wife tried to calm him, but the man wouldn't. We let him go on and on, only watching him. When he calmed down, Todd took a step towards him. Dad raised an eyebrow. My mate looked solemn,

We are mates, and Michael is old enough to decide what he wants. You have to get with the program,” he said nonchalantly. “I love your son, and you won't scare me away,” he said and went to next beside me. | nodded, proud of him. Dad’s face paled like he was about to

faint.

“I can’t... | can’t,” Dad shook his head.

Shawl Krayton, enough! Enough of this... Enough being stuck in your old ways,” Mom flared, pointing a finger at him, “You knew who hel was, but you refused to believe it!” Dad wanted to protest, but Raya hushed him harshly. Mom gave her a nod of thanks. It was the first time they had agreed on something.

“Your only son has been stuck in the closet for so long in fear of malicious judgment, finds his mate. A goddess-given mate, and decided to share with you his happiness, instead of supporting you chose to insult him. Shame on you, Shawl,”

My eyes trailed to my father. He had so many emotions written on face as he stood silently. He always knew what | was, but as M said, he refused to accept it. | understand it was hard for him to do would give him time and allow him to come to terms with it. It was

too much for him.

Shawl, we should be celebrating. It’s not every day one finds a mate, love,” Raya said. My Dad smiled faintly smiled and kissed her forehead.

Dad, | know it’s difficult to accept right now, and | understand. That’s

why | won't pressure you,” | told him. He nodded and after a long time,

said,

I'm hungry. Is there something to eat?”

We have food... Plenty of that. | prepared lamb steak using my grandmother's recipe may her soul rest in peace, and for Margret, there is plenty of Champagne,” Todd laughed. Everyone chuckled. My sister loved to drink Champagne whenever. It didn’t matter the

occasion or time.

H

Haha,” my sister mocked, grabbing a bottle from one of the

se rvant’s small buckets.

Dinner went on peacefully, and everyone was conversing. Lamb was

Dad's favorite food. He praised it a lot and wished Raya could

cook like that.

Todd, you should give me a recipe for this. | wouldn’t want to get the bolt because no one could cook this better than you,” Raya joked.

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