As soon as he saw Olivia, he felt the pull. We noted his interest, but he’s telling me he doesn’t want it.
Instead of relief, joy, or pride—emotions the rest of the Elders probably felt—pity wormed its way into my head. This was the worst possible time to find a Mate.
His mom just died, Grey.
I know. That’s what I’m trying to tell him, but he doesn’t believe his grief is the problem. He believes it’s the girl.
Maybe he’s right then. I’ve never known a truly interested male to walk away.
You didn’t see them together. He didn’t notice anything but her. And there was plenty more to notice. Hurry up with those pizzas so you can help Winifred stitch up Clay. His guts keep poking out. It might help control your appetite long enough for the rest of us to eat our fill.
Nothing can control my appetite. Believe me…Mom tried.
I stepped up next to the SUV and purposely bumped into Henry.
“Take a slice out of this top box and feed me a bite, will you?”
The lid hit the top of my head. It disappeared at the same time Henry groaned.
“This is really good. I could eat a whole box myself,” he said.
Does that sound like a man overwhelmed by the pull?I sent Grey as he led the way inside.
The stink of chlorine overpowered the beautiful scent of baked cheese and meat. I sniffed, trying to get the good smell back. Didn’t work. My eyes watered, and I breathed through my mouth to ease the burn in my sinuses.
“Set the pizzas in here,” Mom called.
I followed the sound of her voice, taking a few blind steps into the hotel room.
“I got those,” Emmitt said, taking half the stack from me.
With the top half gone, I glanced around the room. Clay lay on one of the beds, towels shoved under him to catch any bloody runoff from the gashes across his middle. Gabby sat near the headboard, cradling his head in her lap and stroking his hair while Winifred stitched him. No doubt it hurt, but the man looked like he didn’t mind the extra attention he’d gained because of his injuries.
Michelle sat on the bed, out of the way, next to Dad. Mom stood beside Winifred, handing her whatever supplies she needed from her homemade first aid kit.
“Want a piece of pizza while you’re pampered?” I asked Clay.
His beard twitched, and he shook his head slightly.
“Set the rest over here,” Emmitt said, motioning to the dresser next to the table, which he already had covered with pizza boxes.
Grey, still in the hall with Henry and the bags, nudged me aside. I half-turned to tell Henry to grab two boxes for us to take to our room but froze. Words escaped me.
Just inside the door, only a few feet away, stood a white-haired goddess. Her black eyes pinned me, staring into my soul as if determining my worth. And, I desperately wanted to be worthy.
The pizza boxes fell to the floor at the first wild tug in my gut. I inhaled, long and loud. She smelled like Winifred’s fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. I couldn’t think of a better smell on the planet no matter the quantity.
I took a step toward her, wanting to inhale every ounce of her scent. Realization kicked me between the eyes. Mate.
No. It couldn’t. I couldn’t. I’d taken the oath.
Pain exploded in my chest, making it impossible to breathe. The pain didn’t dull my awe and need. After Emmitt found Michelle, I’d been sure I would never have a chance. Fate didn’t work like that. Not twice in one family. But there was no denying what I felt as I stared at Olivia. She was my fated Mate. And I wanted her with every fiber of my being.
The pain clenched harder, like a physical fist around my heart.
I staggered back a step, and another, then collapsed to my knees.
“Jim, no!” Winifred yelled.
