Chapter 7

Lydia didn't bother trying to sleep. She was too keyed up, and she would only lie there in the dark replaying every second of being with Beck. Her mate. Lydia had found her mate. As soon as he drove away, she danced around the cabin, squealing and laughing. Then just as quickly, she sobered. Just because Beck was her fated mate didn't mean he would accept the bond. It would suck if he didn't. And just because he'd come close to stripping her down didn't mean he wanted a relationship.

He said he was excited to see where this went.

True. Okay, Lydia was giddy again and so damn lucky. Some Goyles went hundreds of years before finding their mate. She could be patient. Get to know Beck and let him know her. She wanted to tell Cailín and Carleigh. They were going to laugh their asses off when she informed them Beck was indeed a bear. She had to tell her parents. Lydia plopped down on the sofa and took another beer from the bucket. Before popping the top, she put it back and took the bucket to the kitchen. She wiped the dampness off the bottles and returned them to the fridge and chose to drink water instead. She found a glass in one of the cabinets and filled it with water from the dispenser on the refrigerator. Lydia took a sip and cringed. She knew it was good for her, but she hated how it tasted like nothing. She eyed the limes Cailín had bought to make margaritas with and cut one open, squeezing the juice into her glass. It was sour, but it made drinking the water more palatable.

As she moved through the room, she noticed Beck's leather jacket. Lydia picked it up and took it with her to the sofa. After placing the water on the coffee table, she shoved her nose against the fabric and inhaled, waiting for the nausea to kick in. When it didn't, she examined the claw marks. Lydia hated that she'd ruined the garment, so she would find a store and replace it. With nothing better to do, she retrieved her laptop and looked for stores in the area. When she didn't find one that sold a jacket like Beck's, she searched the internet. Her browsing paid off, but Lydia frowned at the price. It wasn't expensive. Neither was his truck. Lydia prayed he wasn't a male who minded his female having more money than him. Once they were bonded, it wouldn't matter because it would then be his money too. Instead of getting the same jacket, Lydia opted for a more expensive one. She paused long enough to look up the address for the lodge since she didn't know where Beck lived. Once she input the address along with her account information, she paid for expedited shipping and hit the purchase icon.

Her bracelets jingled as she sank deeper into the sofa. It had been hours since Lydia thought of Tinsley, and that was because of Beck. What would he think of her when he found out she'd killed someone? Instead of falling back into despair, she researched Sagan Adventures. She didn't have Carleigh's expert computer skills, but Lydia was no slouch either. Being archivist wasn't exciting. It took little effort to keep the Clan's information updated. She had sat for hours with Carleigh when Julian was teaching her everything computer related, and the knowledge stuck. Lydia had taken graphic design classes for something to cure her boredom, and she made a good chunk of change designing websites and creating logos. Since she was freelance, she could work when she wanted.

After a cursory glance at Sagan Adventure's website, which showed photos of Beck and his sisters, Lydia opened a secure browser and pulled up the same information Carleigh had earlier. Amara, Chloe, and Delaney Sagan owned the company. Two things stood out. One, there was no mention of Beck having any ownership in the company. Two, the daughters had their mother's last name whereas Beck didn't. He had mentioned polar bear shifters were a matriarchal society, so that explained the last one. Lydia guessed it explained the first as well, but that didn't seem fair to her.

After hitting a few snags, Lydia was able to find the company's financials, including how much each of the four earned. The amount Beck made was peanuts compared to what his sisters were paid. Lydia opened a different browser and researched how much a seaplane pilot in Alaska earned. Beck was paid more than average plus ten percent of the profits. She went back to the financials. By her calculations, he made more than enough to afford a new truck and a nice jacket. Not wanting to intrude further into his private affairs, she closed out of the company's tab. Lydia figured he saved his money instead of splurging. She made a list of everything she had learned since speaking to her cousin, sent the information in an encrypted email, and closed the lid on the laptop, setting it aside.

Since she had a couple of hours before she needed to leave, Lydia decided to shower and take extra care with her makeup. Beck had seen her without it. He'd seen her after it had worn off somewhat. She wanted to look as good as possible in case he had doubts about agreeing to the mate bond.

While under the water, she thought back to seeing Boyd in his shifted form. He had been talking to someone, but Lydia couldn't see them well. The person was much smaller than Boyd, but their face was hidden by the hoodie they wore. It looked like the two were arguing. When Lydia decided to eavesdrop, that was when Boyd shifted, and he roared at the person in the room. Instead of hanging around, Lydia hightailed it out of there, and that's when she ran into Beck. She had neglected to tell Beck about the other person. She would do so the first chance she got in case they were working together against Amara.

Not wanting to worry about keeping up with her purse, she took the keycard, her driver's license, and a credit card out of her wallet and shoved them in her back pocket. She then grabbed her key fob and phone. Once inside the rental, she tossed her parka into the passenger seat. She thanked the gods she was a shifter, and the brisk air didn't bother her the way it would if she were human.

The drive to Seward was uneventful in the early morning hours. Lydia arrived a few minutes early, but the area was already bustling. She followed the GPS to where The Egg Cup was located and found a parking spot a few doors down. She didn't want to mess her hair up with the beanie, so she shoved it in the pocket of her parka before sliding the coat on. Beck was waiting outside the little café. His eyes lit up, and his smile was wide as she approached. He pulled her into a hug right there on the sidewalk.

Lydia laughed and returned the embrace. Beck stuck his nose against her neck and inhaled deeply, humming when he released her. "Good morning, Mate."

If she wouldn't be embarrassed, Lydia would do a little dance at that one word. "Good morning, My Bear."

Beck threaded their fingers as he led her inside. The aroma of coffee was mixed with enticing food offerings, and Lydia's stomach rumbled. Once they were seated, he handed her a menu but didn't take one for himself.

"A regular, I take it?"

"Not really. I usually fix something before I leave the house, but when I do eat breakfast out, I come here. It's close to the office."

The waitress approached their booth with a pot of coffee. She poured without asking. "I'll be back in a few to get your order."

Lydia perused the menu and narrowed her eyes at the second item down. Leaning forward, she whispered, "Reindeer sausage?"

Beck grinned. "This is Alaska."

Lydia shook her head, scowling playfully. "I can't eat Rudolph. That seems wrong."

"They're just skinny cows with big antlers. I bet you eat burgers. Please don't tell me you're a vegetarian. I may have to reconsider this relationship."

Lydia kicked him under the table but not enough to hurt. "That's your hard limit?"

Beck reached across the table and took one of her hands, linking their fingers. "One of them."

"Oh, yeah? What's—?"

"Ready?" The waitress held her tablet against her chest, eyeing Beck.

Lydia couldn't blame the woman. Her mate was something to stare at. "You go ahead, Honey."

Beck winked at Lydia before giving his order. He did not order the reindeer sausage. When it was her turn, Lydia chose the special, opting for bacon. After the waitress walked away, she asked again, "So, other hard limits?" She didn't want to release his hand, but she needed both of hers to add creamer to her coffee.

"Let's see." Beck took a sip of his black brew. "Buttered popcorn at the theater. That stuff is nasty."

Lydia lifted her mug and took a sip. "I can't remember the last time I saw a movie at a theater. What else?"

"That's it. I'm easy going. What about you? Anything that you dislike?"

"Assholes."

Beck choked on the sip he'd taken, and Lydia burst out laughing, handing him a napkin. "Not literally, you goof. Those who act like one. I dislike mean people."

"Meet a lot of those?"

"Not if I can help it." Lydia's mind wandered to West Virginia, and she shivered.

"What was that about? Do I need to kick someone's ass?" Beck growled.

"Nah. Just something happened recently I'd rather not talk about. At least not yet."

The waitress returned with their plates, and they dug in, eating in silence. Lydia hated that she'd brought the mood down.

Beck pushed his empty plate back. "You can tell me when you're ready."

Lydia ate as much as her stomach allowed, then tossed her napkin beside the plate and finished her coffee. Beck signaled for the waitress, and when she was beside the table, he handed her a couple of twenties. "Keep the change."

"Thanks," she said, giving him a big smile.

Beck ignored her by reaching across the table for Lydia's hands. He lowered his voice. "I don't want you to feel like I'm hiding you, but my sister and I had it out this morning. I don't want to subject you to her wrath, so when we get to the plane, I'm going to put you in the co-pilot's seat to wait while I get the passengers and their stuff loaded. I'll explain everything once we're in Kodiak and have more privacy."

"I understand." She didn't, but Lydia would give him all the time he needed.

Beck rose and walked behind Lydia with his hand on her lower back. Once outside, he turned toward the harbor. "We'll leave your car where it is. It'll be safe until we get back later."

The seaplane was larger than she expected, and when she was safely inside, Lydia studied the control panel. Her Uncle Frey was a pilot. He taught anyone who wanted to fly either a plane or helicopter or both. Lydia knew the basics. She never wanted to fly solo, but she did want to be knowledgeable in case she was ever in a situation that required those skills. Several of her Clanmates, like Anthony and Tabitha, could fly both. Zuri had her license but had only flown the Clan jet a few times.

Beck got the passengers loaded and went through the safety information with them before taking his seat. She put the headset over her ears, having already buckled in. Beck glanced at her and grinned, then flipped the necessary switches. Lydia paid attention. Mostly to see what was different, if anything, than what she'd been taught. Taking off from the water was exciting to her. Instead of taxiing down a runway, they skidded across the bay until they had enough speed to lift off. The passengers talked amongst themselves about what they were going to do in Kodiak. Lydia ignored their chatter as she took in the scenery below.

Beck hit a switch, tuning out the passengers. "You want to take the controls?" Lydia rubbed her hands together, then grabbed onto the yoke, keeping it steady. "You look like you've done this before."

"That's because I have. I don't have a license, but one of my uncles is a pilot, and he taught any of us who wanted to learn."

Beck shook his head, grinning. "You're amazing."

Lydia didn't think so. As far as her Clan went, she wasn't anything special. She wasn't an experienced hacker like Carleigh. She wasn't a brilliant scientist or painter like Connor. She wasn't a kickass private investigator like Anthony or Tabitha. She wasn't a leader like Sebastian. Hell, her brother Locke, who was only seventeen, was more of a badass than she was at twenty-seven. She had several usable skills, but those were mediocre at best.

When their target landing zone came into view, Beck asked if she wanted to land the plane. "Not by myself. You do the work, and I'll hold on to feel your movements."

Beck turned the comms back on so he could speak to the passengers, telling them they would be landing in ten minutes. Lydia kept her hands on the yoke and paid attention to everything Beck did to lower the Cessna until the floats glided across the water. When they neared the dock, Beck explained using the wind and water current to slow the craft. He dropped the anchor and waited for the plane to settle.

Lydia removed her harness and headset, then put on her parka before climbing out. She spoke to the passengers while Beck removed their luggage from the storage compartment, and shook hands with them before directing the group to the area where they would catch a shuttle to their lodging.

Beck pulled Lydia into his arms and pressed his nose to her neck. She shivered at the contact. Beck leaned his head up. "Are you cold?"

"No. Having your mouth anywhere near my shoulder gives my Goyle ideas."

"Sexy ideas?" Beck rasped.

"Mating ideas." Lydia cupped his cheek. "You want to tell me what you and your sister were arguing about?" She didn't want to talk about mating out in the open. It was hard enough keeping her hands to herself without thoughts of sex and the mate bond added in.

Beck wrapped his arm around her waist and got them moving away from the plane in the direction the passengers had gone. "Chloe is now missing as well. When I suggested Delaney call their father, she lost her shit. Even though he instigated the new Queen fighting for our pack back in BC, my sisters don't view him as the evil incarnate I do. Laney pretty much said that's the way things are done, so him being the reason we had to pack up and move doesn't faze her."

"Oh, before I forget again, there was someone with Boyd last night. I couldn't see them well because they had on a hoodie. The two were arguing, and before I thought to listen in on their conversation, Boyd shifted and roared. That's when I took off back to my car."

"How tall was this person?"

"Shorter than Boyd by about eight or nine inches? I was studying their profile in case they turned toward the window."

"Shit. That could've been Chloe."

"Do you think Boyd would harm his own daughter? It may explain why she's missing."

"It depends on how desperate he is. Since Valerie dismissed Boyd, I doubt he has her financial backing. Instead of getting a job, he's probably looking for a handout." Beck stopped outside the small marina store and pulled out his phone, ordering a ride. "If that was Chloe you saw, she might have turned down whatever he asked of her."

"Then we'll go confront him. You are bigger than him, and I'm not unable to defend myself."

Beck led them to where the ride share would pick them up. He pressed his mouth to her ear. "I know you're a badass, but that little dagger of yours won't touch a fully-shifted bear."

"Then I'll bring out my sword."

"Metal will only piss us off. It takes a special kind of blade to harm a polar bear. One made of ice."

Lydia glanced down at her bracelets. Would they become what she needed? She couldn't test her theory out in the open, but as soon as they were somewhere private, she would put the intent out there and pray to the gods or whatever goddess Luna worshipped that she had what she needed.