6. Zander

My parents always told me that I’d know the person who was meant to be my mate right away.

I was looking for that. Someone that I’d immediately click with. Someone who I could look at and go, Hey, that person seems like someone who would be my mate.

When I first saw Mia, I didn’t think any of that. In fact, I thought of her, and her family, as a threat.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Mia is smart. She’s resilient in a way that I’m not sure I’m capable of. She’s hardworking, honest, and clever as hell. She’s stunningly beautiful.

And I know that I want her to be my mate.

After the hot springs last night, we relaxed for a minute before I escorted her back to her cabin. Seeing Mia safely to her porch, I gave her one last kiss before I headed home.

I wanted to shower the sulfur smell off. But I didn’t want to get rid of how Mia’s scent curls around me.

I ended up showering this morning, hopeful that I can see Mia again today and replace her gentle scent. Prior to heading up there, though, I need to stop by the hardware store.

There is a leak in the sink. On top of that, there are some other projects I need to get done for her. Some window boxes for flowers on the elders’ porches. A swing for the kids.

I have plans to build out more. Extra bedrooms. Another bathroom. Mia said they used to raise chickens in New Mexico, so I need some supplies to make them a coop.

Lumber is necessary. And lots of it.

The hardware store has everything I need for a chicken coop, so I go ahead and get it, then place an order for chicks. Getting chicks in the mail will be fun for the kids to see, so I make sure that the delivery is to the fox cabins. The other supplies, though, I buy on site.

Mia wants to feel like she belongs? Like she’s part of the pack? I’m going to show the pack how smart and useful she is.

I’m loading the last of it into my truck when I hear a familiar voice.

“Hey, stranger,” Terra says.

I turn. “Hey, Terra.”

“How are you?”

I nod. “Fine. And you?”

She gives me a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.

Terra is a beautiful woman. I’ve always thought so. She dresses flawlessly, and she’s always so composed. But now, I look at her auburn hair and think about brighter, curlier red hair. Her green eyes are too dark, too mellow. I like my green-eyed girls with a little more spark to them.

“I’m okay,” she whispers.

I know her better than that. Terra and I have been friends for a long time. I put the last two by four in the bed of the truck and turn. “You don’t sound okay.”

“It’s just… I think he might be dead.”

I sigh. Rylan was banished from the pack a while back. I don’t know the particulars, but I was there when Thorne gave the command. He should never come back.

“He’s not dead, Terra,” I say softly. No one knows except Thorne, Evander, and some of the other enforcers. I can’t tell her the truth.

She thinks that Rylan left. Ran away. Abandoned the pack.

I want to tell her that’s not the case. Badly. But I can’t.

“You don’t know that,” she murmurs.

I hate this. “Still. You’ve held out for him for so long. Why give up on it now?”

“Because…” Her voice trails off.

Suddenly, I know why.

“I always thought Rylan and I would be together. I love him. Loved him,” she corrects herself.

The past tense crushes my heart. “Terra…”

“But that was a long time ago. He’s not coming back. Not when it’s been almost two years.”

I grimace. “Two years isn’t that bad.”

“It is when you have a timeline, Zander.”

I have nothing to say to that.

Terra sighs. “I know you introduced me to your girlfriend, but… Speaking of timelines. Is that something serious? Or something like you’re just helping her out while they get settled and something sparked between you?”

My heart thumps. “Why do you ask?”

She shrugs. “I’m almost thirty. You’re turning thirty this year. Maybe we could… you know. Just to stay in the pack?” She’s hopeful.

Just a few weeks ago, I would have been overjoyed. The answer to all my problems. Something easy. Without any effort.

But, since then, something big has changed.

Mia.

I don’t want to be with Terra anymore. I know who my mate is. And it’s not Terra.

My heart aches for her.

“Terra,” I say, taking her hand. “I really would. But…”

Her smile is sad. “But things are serious with Mia, after all.”

I nod. “Yeah. She’s great. I think you’d like her.”

“I know I would.”

“Maybe we can all hang out sometime?”

“Maybe,” she says sadly.

I give her hand another squeeze. “Someone is out there for you, Terra. You’re going to make someone a very happy mate.”

“I’d like to think so. But it also hasn’t happened.”

“Yet,” I remind her. “It hasn’t happened yet.”

“Time’s definitely of the essence,” she laughs. Terra removes her hand from mine and gives me a smile again. “I’d like to give Mia that moisturizer. Bring her by. Mom and I will be happy to get tea with her and talk botanicals.”

“I think she’d like that. She was a farmer. In New Mexico. I’m building them a little chicken coop and a garden plot,” I beam.

She gestures to the truck. “You’re going to make her a very good mate as well, Zander.”

I smile, letting all the hope inside me out.

“I sure hope so.”