In seconds, the magical pull of his shift shivered over my skin.
My mate stood before me on two legs. Fucking gorgeous. A smile tugged at one side of his mouth, and he crouched down and ran his fingers through my fur. “Hi, little mate. You are such a beautiful wolf.”
My wolf got up and preened in front of his alpha, showing him all my fur and teeth.
“I see you, mate. Can you shift for me? I’d love to meet your human.”
My wolf relented. I shifted instantly.
This was happening. I was standing in front of my mate. The one Fate had chosen for me.
“Hi,” I said, feeling silly.
What else was I supposed to say to the person who would be the pivot in my life?
Nice to meet you?
Chapter Five
Edris
I stood there looking at my mate. There was so much to say, so much to ask, but all I could think of was getting us somewhere private so it wouldn’t be interrupted. I wasn’t sure how human this town was, and two people standing outside naked in this weather was bound to cause some gossip…or fear…or both.
I took his hand and started dragging him with me, toward my room, not stopping to get our belongings. I’d have stopped if he gave any resistance, but he didn’t. If anything, I could have sworn I heard a chuckle coming from behind me.
Our arms were outstretched, my feet going a little faster than his, and we made our way to the motel. This was so different than what I thought my once-upon-a-time fairy tale of true love would be. When Fate sent me my mate in my dreams, it wasn’t with me stuck at some crappy motel in a tiny town with a busted car.
I wanted to do so much better for him, to show him at least a nice hotel if I had to have my car die, one with room service and a huge tub, and a king-sized bed with a bazillion-thread-count sheets. The people here were nice and it was clean. That would have to make it good enough.
Once we were inside, I grabbed a shirt out of my suitcase and some boxers, tossed them to him, and grabbed a second set for myself. Looking at his naked body wasn’t going to get this conversation heading in the right direction. There was a time when it was normal, expected even, to scent your mate and instantly mark them. My bear thought that was still now. It wasn’t.
“I see how it is,” he teased, and I relaxed a little. Not a lot. I was still stressed, trying to figure out how to navigate all of this.I liked to have a plan and I didn’t have a name yet, much less an idea on how to move forward.
“I thought we could talk better if we weren’t distracted.”
“I think the distracted ship has sailed.” He winked. “You’re my mate.”
“And you’re mine. I’m Edris.”
“I’m Zac.”My mate’s name is Zac.
“Zac.” I tasted the name and loved it. “I’m here because my car broke down and it’s gonna be a while.”
“That’s odd. Jesse is usually pretty quick at stuff like that.”
And just like that, I knew that he was a local or at least had local connections, which was good. It meant we had some time to figure this mate thing out before making decisions.
“He said it needs parts he has to wait for the dealer to send. I took some bad advice and bought a car far too fancy, I guess. But that means I’m here for a while.”
“But you don’t live here.” He wasn’t asking. It was a statement.
“No. I’m a city boy.”
He cringed. That wasn’t a good sign.
“I’m not. I live here Autumn Hills and am at the motel because my well broke and it was easier than dealing with no water while it is being fixed.”
Wells. The only thing I knew about the topic was Jack and Jill. I understood this town was small, but not well-water small. My mate and I led very different lives.
