The living room has transformed since last night. A new sofa set has replaced the lonely couch, and shifters are mounting a large television over the fireplace while others assemble a coffee table and end tables. It’s like an IKEA showroom appeared overnight.
My stomach growls loudly, reminding me I haven’t eaten since last night. “I’m hungry,” I tell him, sniffing the air. “And I smell fresh pancakes somewhere nearby.”
“Our Luna brought you breakfast,” He says, his voice soft with respect.
I reach up unconsciously, fingers brushing against the claim mark on my neck. “You bit me,” I say, meeting his eyes directly. “Why?”
Jabari seems confused for a moment, scratching his head as if the answer should be obvious but he doesn’t quite know how to explain it. His brow furrows, then his expression settles into something more neutral.
Before he can answer, a woman’s voice calls from the kitchen. “It’s part of the mating process.”
I turn to see a striking Black woman leaning against the kitchen doorframe. “Shifters claim their mates through bites,” she continues. “It leaves a visible scar that tells the world you belong to him. And soon, you’ll feel the urge to do the same to him. It’s part of the mate bond, tethering you together forever.”
She smiles warmly, walking toward us with poise. Jabari steps back and bows his head to her.
“I’m Jewel, the Luna of Frost Clan,” she says, extending her hand to me.
“Oh...” I stutter, nervously beginning to bow, not sure how I’m supposed to respond to someone who’s clearly important in the hierarchy.
Jewel chuckles and pulls me into a hug instead. “Silly woman, welcome to the family, sister.”
Her embrace feels genuine, easing some of my anxiety. When she releases me, she looks at Jabari with approval. “She is beautiful, your woman.”
Jewel steps back and rubs her belly, which I now notice has a small but definite curve. “I’m having the first cub of the clan, and the other mates are getting pregnant too. Soon, we’ll have a clan full of cubs.”
She points at the mark on my neck, a knowing smile on her face. “Won’t be surprised if you’re wobbling around here in a fewmonths the same as the rest of us. These bear shifters have been desperate for a family.”
Her words land hard. Jabari told me how long he’s been waiting for me—a thousand years. I still can’t grasp that amount of time. Surely he didn’t wait all that time, right? He must have tried to build a future with someone else... That’s too long for anyone to be alone. And the way he nearly put me through the mattress last night? This definitely isn’t his first rodeo.
I smooth my hands nervously over my shirt, suddenly wishing I knew more about shifter lore and Wintermoon before being thrown into all this. Even with all the radical stuff emerging in Detroit, and the testing for the fated scent, I just never assumed I’d be fated to anyone. I know plenty of women who got tested and were negative.
Looking at Jewel, I take in her appearance. She’s pretty, looks around my age—mid-thirties—with a medium build. Her deep brown skin has a healthy glow, and her braids are pulled into an elegant updo. She exudes a quiet authority that doesn’t need to announce itself.
“Congratulations,” I tell her sincerely.
Just then, a large shifter—slightly bigger than Jabari—wraps his arms around Jewel’s waist and pulls her against him, planting a gentle kiss on her cheek. His hands move protectively to her belly. This must be Silas, the alpha Kade mentioned.
His bright blue eyes remind me of Tristian’s, though his skin is a rich brown like Jabari’s. The family resemblance between the brothers is unmistakable—similar strong jawlines, high cheekbones, and broad shoulders. Where Jabari is messy and casual, Silas is meticulously put together—clean haircut, neatly trimmed beard, clothes that actually fit him properly. If this is the standard, Jabari could definitely use some pointers, but that’s a project for another day. He has me now.
Jabari grabs me suddenly, pulling me against him with unmistakable pride. His chest puffs out slightly, and I can feel the excitement vibrating through him as he presents me to his brother.
“Alpha, brother, this is my mate, Jackie,” he announces, his voice deep with emotion.
Silas smiles and bows his head to me. I do the same awkwardly, which makes both Silas and Jewel chuckle in unison.
“She’ll get used to it,” they say together, like this is a common observation.
I sigh nervously. “Yeah, I keep hearing that.”
“I will explain everything to you,” Jabari promises, his hand warm against my back. “Help you understand shifter lore.”
The earnestness in his voice makes me smile. “I’d love that.”
Jewel reaches for my hand. “Come on, let me make sure you eat.” She pulls me into the kitchen, toward a small table by the window. Jabari follows closely, pulling out a chair for me.
“Thank you,” I say, blushing at his attentiveness as I sit down.
Jewel walks over to the counter and returns with a plate filled with golden pancakes and crispy bacon. She sets it in front of me, then pours syrup over the pancakes and adds a glass of milk before grabbing a tall glass of water for herself and sitting across from me.
