Page 19 of Trusting Her Mate

“Two months ago,” I say, deadpan.

Boone grunts. “Too long. Someone would’ve noticed.”

I roll my eyes. “Fine. Two weeks.”

Iris shakes her head. “Too short. No one believes Boone gets attached that fast unless he’s hiding a secret soft spot, and honestly, I’d pay to see that.”

Raine smirks. “Split the difference—one month.”

Talon scribbles something. “One month it is. Where?”

I grin. “Border patrol. He was out there looking for trespassers and found me, half-lost, probably about to get mauled by a cougar or eaten by a bush.”

Boone mutters, “Border patrol isn’t fucking romantic.”

Raine waves a hand. “Anything’s romantic if you add enough pining.”

“The only thing moonlit out there is the dump,” he replies.

I lean forward, all teeth. “Maybe I was lost. Or running. Or being chased by wolves ... oh, shit, right, I was. Your wolves.”

Everyone cracks up. Talon pounds the table. “Perfect. Boone, did you save her?”

Boone grumbles. “Told you to get off Katu land or I’d haul you back myself. You didn’t listen. You never fucking listen.”

I salute him with my mug. “That’s because your threats sound like bedtime stories.”

Iris jumps in, scribbling. “So, you met, you argued, you bonded over your mutual hatred of authority and bad coffee.”

Raine claps. “He couldn’t stop thinking about you after.”

Something in Boone’s jaw ticks, but he doesn’t say a word.

Iris’s voice goes soft. “That’s ... actually believable.”

Talon elbows her. “Not helping.”

A new voice cuts through the laughter—Peyton, from the doorway. “It’s believable because it’s fucking true.”

We all turn. Peyton leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, looking way too satisfied with herself.

I mutter, “Did you knock?”

She grins. “Thought about it.”

I shake my head. “Is that a Katu thing? Not knocking, just barging in?”

Raine shrugs. “We’re wolves. Privacy is a myth.”

Peyton’s expression sharpens. “Ashstone is demanding a formal meeting tomorrow. Dax is pitching a fit. He says this whole claim is a shitshow to get you out of the contract.”

I laugh, bitter. “He can’t prove it.”

“He doesn’t have to. He just needs enough doubt to get the council on his side.”

“So what’s the play, Luna?” Talon asks.

Peyton’s eyes find mine. “You and Boone need to sell this. Convince everyone before tomorrow. No fuckups.”