Page 7 of Manifesting a Mate

I'm not remotely affected by his playful teasing. I don’t care if I sound like a lovesick fool already. I found my mate. The one soul in this world the fates have matched with mine. It’s the ultimate gift, and I fully intend to cherish it. “You know you’re jealous,” I snark back with a grin.

“Pft, absolutely not, that is a nope from me.” He scoffs, shaking his head adamantly, but I know he doesn’t truly believe that.

Every alpha wants to find their mate. It’s engrained in us, part of our DNA. He might think he’s happy being a single alpha, sleeping with a different pretty omega every other night, but as soon as he scents his mate - assuming he isn’t as dumb as I was - everything will change and I can’t fucking wait to see it.

“Wait, you said he works at the cafe, that one you go to everyday?” Austin perks up with a sudden interest and I nod vigorously, thankful that he’s finally awake enough to comprehend the gravity of the situation “But you’ve been there like a million times since we started renovating, how come you haven’t met him before today?” He asks with a hint of suspicion in his raised eyebrow.

“Thats the thing… Every time I went there, I always smelled the incredible honey bread, just like my grandma made. It was never there by the time I arrived. Case always empty of honey goodness. I tried asking the guy at the counter about it, but he insisted they don't have honey bread or anything honey related on the menu. It was driving me crazy for weeks. Then I caught the scent on our opening night.”

“That’s why you were acting so crazy, I thought you had taken something.” He shrugs like that isn’t the wildest thing he could assume about me.

“You’ve known me my whole life, when have I ever taken drugs?” I ask him, rightfully offended by that off-handed comment.

“I dunno, you have been stressed, maybe you just wanted to relax. No judgement here, man.”

“You’re an asshole, I wasn’t on drugs. I scented my mate. Not that I knew it at the time. I didn’t figure that part out until my bear almost wrecked my truck in a rage.” He's laughing now, the prick.

“Wait, so you have been scenting your mate this whole time and had no idea?”

“Yes, I know I’m an idiot. Can we move on now? Good. The reason I am naked on your couch at six am is because I drove to the cafe at five in the morning, planning to sit there all damn day until my mate appeared. Turns out I didn't have to wait long, he was there when I arrived. Smelling like heaven and looking like an angel.”

“And that explains why you are naked, how?” He asks, lowering himself into the large, worn-leather arm chair I usually favor. But bare balls and cold leather are not a comfortable mix.

“I already told you, he was at work, so I came home to let my bear run off his displeasure at not getting to mark our mate on the spot. Figured that while I had time to kill, so I would come tell my best friend and business partner the good news. So ungrateful.” I huff playfully, folding my arms over my chest to really emphasize my pouting, which results in the blanket slipping off.

“Okay, okay. I'm sorry, no need to flash the hammer. You want coffee? One is most definitely not going to cut it at this hour, especially if you want me to be at the bar tonight.” He says, springing to his feet and crossing the open-plan living room and kitchen to the coffee machine, pouring a second cup for himself and one for me.

A small part of me wants to leave the blanket on the floor and helicopter my dick at my friend but seeing as I have found my mate, Everett should be the only one who gets to enjoy my helicopter skills.

After coffee and leftover hor d'oeuvres from the opening last night, I’m no less jittery and nervous to meet Everett. Taking to my fur, I follow the path back to my cabin. The sun is high in the sky now, and the forest is alive with activity. Rather than run through, shoulder-checking trees like I did on the way here, I ambled. My bear took his time to appreciate the little slice of heaven we call home. He sniffed at the flowers, listened to the birds, and stopped to snack on the overwintered berries still clinging to life in early spring.

I wonder, not for the first time, what Everett will think of this place. Will he embrace the forest? Want to run with me through the brush? I hope so. I probably should have asked what kind of shifter he was. I think I was too overwhelmed by his honey scent, then the scent of his arousal, to pick up any identifying markers I should have picked up on.

At least I don’t have long now to wait until I can have my omega in my arms again. Probably just enough time to shower and agonize over my outfit. Shit. I need to bring Everett a gift. He is going to cook for me. I can't turn up empty-handed.

Shifting back to my human form, I walk the last few paces to my cabin, looking around for something I can bring to my mate. I don’t want to just go to the store and choose something manufactured that so many other omegas could have. No, I need to bring him something special, something from my land, my home.

My foot kicks something hard, and I wince at the sharp pain. What the fuck was that? Scanning the area around my feet I see a huge walnut, multiple in fact. I had no idea there were even walnut trees in this forest. How have I never come across these before? Dropping to one knee, I gather up a handful and carry them back to my cabin close to my chest.

Yes, these are perfect.

CHAPTER 7

“Come on over, come on over, baby.”

Everett

“What if he doesn't like it? What if he's gluten intolerant? Can shifters be gluten intolerant? What am I talking about? Of course, they can. Shit, should I make some gluten free options just to be safe?” I ask Riley as I start unpacking the picnic basket for perhaps the hundredth time.

“Dude, the guy was here yesterday asking if we have honey bread, and besides, he’s eaten plenty from the food counter and never once asked for a gluten free option. ” Riley assures me then gestures at the multitude of food containers on the counter. “Going by the sheer size of him and the pretty magnificent beard he’s sporting, I would bet good money he's a bear shifter. Looks like you made… what? Four different honey related goodies? I think you’re good Ev.”

“Three,” I murmur, correcting him as a blush creeps up my face because yes, after Henry left, Riley remembered him from the other day asking about honey bread, so I made him honey bread, mini honey-butter rolls, and honey-glazed croissants. Maybe it’s too much. Or not enough, like Riley pointed out, my alpha is a big man, at least a foot or more taller than I am. What if this isn’t enough food or less than he is expecting and he thinks I can’t provide the basics for him?

“Three, okay, thanks for the clarification.” He rolls his eyes and grins at me. “Don’t forget about the fresh fruits, and different kinds of cheese. And an entire array of cold cuts. You’re going to put the man into a food coma. Stop worrying Ev. He’s your mate, he's going to love whatever you bring him.”

“Oh god, I’ve over done it haven’t I?” I ask, my eyes scanning the containers in front of me, trying to mentally narrow down the choices I wanted to bring. My heart is pounding faster the closer it gets to midday. Henry is going to be here any minute and I do not have my shit together. I’m suddenly terrified I might fuck this up from the jump.

As soon as Henry left earlier and I watched his truck disappear around the corner, I hightailed it back to my dorm room. Showered and changed. Jack was still asleep when I got back because it was like six AM and the only people awake at this time are being paid to do so. Hell, I’d still be asleep if it wasn’t a work day. Saturdays usually aren't a work day for me. I only accepted this shift to help the owners out. Oh maybe it was fate who made the weekend baker sick, so that I could be there to meet my mate.