Page 7 of Darrin: The Wolves

Although Trick was covering the bar for him while he waited for his date to show up, Dare was still behind the bar, shifting his weight from foot to foot, and wiping down the counter even though it was clean.

The main room was full thanks to Sigh’s burger of the week, ridiculously named in Dare’s honor. It was a damn good burger, though.

Something stirred in him suddenly, his wolf on alert.

But it wasn’t danger that walked through the door.

It was a female. And he knew the moment he met her gaze that she was not only his blind date, but his truemate.

His wolf lurched in him with a happy howl, and he gripped the towel so hard his knuckles cracked while he resisted the urge to leap over the bar and run to her.

Damn, she was beautiful.

He lifted the pass and moved through, walking across the main room to the door.

“Audrey? I’m Dare.”

She blinked beautiful jade-green eyes at him. “Dare?”

“It’s Darrin, but my pack calls me Dare.”

“That’s a pretty cool nickname.”

Trick snorted and then tried to cover it with a cough. Dare shot him a glare.

“I saved a table for us since it was starting to get busy.”

He led her to a table with a view of the deck. He wished it was open so they could have eaten outside, but the view was still nice.

They sat at the table, and Tara, the server, hustled over with menus and took their drink orders. They both looked over the menu. When Tara returned with their drinks, they both ordered the burger of the week.

He just knew that Juliette was going to say this was proof the burgers of the week were magic.

He was beginning to think she might be right.

While they waited for their food, Audrey asked about the pack and the tavern, and he asked about her job and family.

She asked questions like she wasn’t prying or looking for details about him being a shifter. He didn’t feel like a novelty.

Sigh appeared with the burgers and smiled. “Hello, Audrey. I’m the most creative brother, Sigh. My mate Juliette and I hope you enjoy the burger.”

“Oh, that’s so sweet, thank you.”

“Enjoy,” Sigh said, then grinned at Dare before heading back to the kitchen.

“Okay, so I have to ask,” Audrey said as she picked up a fry.

“Anything.”

“What does mate mean? Is it like marriage? I know next to nothing about shifters and I don’t want you to think I’m an idiot.”

“You’re not an idiot. It’s like marriage, but it’s more binding to our wolves. Mating means the shifter has marked his mate with his fangs in her neck, and that’s as close as two people can get. It’s ancient. Wedding vows with teeth.”

“Sounds like a wedding band that can’t be taken off.”

“Exactly.”

“Your brother came to check me out?” she asked.