Now I’m standing in the middle of Maverick Point’s Spring Festival, surrounded by music, grilled meat, and enough happy couples to make a guy break out in hives.
Seriously.
What the hell happened while I was gone?
Everyone’s mated.
I mean everyone.
People—Shifters—are all coupled up, laughing, leaning on each other, kissing like they’re starring in some Hallmark special for supernatural weirdos.
Even my little brother, Reg.
Which is frankly offensive.
Three years ago, Reg couldn’t keep a cactus alive.
Now he’s standing near the firepit with his mate draped all over him like he personally invented happiness.
I scowl into my beer.
“This is unnatural,” I mutter.
My Tiger snorts in the back of my mind.
Jealousy looks bad on you.
“I am not jealous.”
You’re the only unmated idiot here.
“That’s because I have standards.”
All you have are cold sheets and loneliness.
Before I can argue with my own inner wildlife any further, a large shadow falls across the table.
“Rob.”
I look up.
Hunter Maverick.
Neta of the Pride. Alpha. Leader.
The only man here powerful enough to command my beast’s attention.
Hell, he could probably wrestle a grizzly bear and win without even shifting.
“Welcome home,” he says, clapping a heavy hand on my shoulder.
“Good to be back, Neta,” I answer automatically.
Hunter’s sharp eyes scan the crowd, a faint smile tugging at his mouth.
“Feels different, doesn’t it?”
“Actually, yeah. It feels like I walked into a couples’ retreat.”
