Prologue
Ronnie Dashwoodsat in Geraldine “Gerri” Wilder’s living room worrying the bottom hem of her shirt. Coming here to meet with the matchmaker had been a bold and possibly stupid move. Her son Lukas had recently returned from a stint in the military, and Ronnie worried that if he didn’t find a mate, someone to keep him in one place, or more specifically, someone to keep him in the area, Luke would leave again. And soon.
“How have you been, Veronica?” Mrs. Wilder asked as she set a cup of tea on the coffee table. The smell of cookies and bread filled the space and made it feel like a homecoming.
“I’ve been worse,” Ronnie said. “My boy Luke is finally home.”
“That’s wonderful. On leave from his unit or is he home for good?”
Ronnie shrugged, the tension in her neck traveling to her shoulder blades. “He recently got out.”
“But?” Mrs. Wilder placed her small, warm hands over Ronnie’s. “What are you worried about? What is making you so afraid?”
Ronnie had been alone since the death of her husband. Her heart still squeezed with pain when she thought of her loss. He’d been a good man and a good wolf. She still remembered the day over thirty years ago when Mrs. Wilder had set them up on a date.
Victor Dashwood had been Ronnie’s exact opposite in every way. She’d had dark hair, he’d had light blond, she had brown eyes, he’d had blue, and she’d been human while he’d been a wolf shifter.
Damn it. He shouldn’t have died so young. Lukas had only been five at the time. Losing his father in the first gulf war had taken its toll on the young boy. He’d been determined to live up to his dad’s hero status. Ronnie’s biggest fear.
“I’m worried he’ll return to the war if there’s nothing to keep him here.”
“Have him come and see me.”
Ronnie felt a lump form in her gut. “Can you find Luke’s mate without him knowing that’s what you’re doing?”
Gerri frowned. “Are you even sure he wants a mate?”
“I think he does,” Ronnie said. “Victor’s death taught Luke a harsh lesson about loss. My son has walls around his heart, and I’m scared he’ll never let anyone in.”
“I understand,” said Gerri. “I can’t make any promises but … perhaps I can give your son a push in the right direction.” She patted Ronnie’s clasped hands. “Let’s hope it’s enough.”
