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“Four large and strong packs compared to the others. And through their loneliness, I like to think they found one another. You have Kyran, an annoying bane of my life, but he has a big heart. He had the responsibility of the pack thrust upon him in a way, so he’s still finding his feet with it all. Harrison lost his girlfriend six months ago. He’s riddled with grief because he feels he didn’t love her enough for the mate magic to engage. She died from cancer, and he hurts, thinking she would still be alive today if they’d bonded. But it’s not something you can force. Maybe one day he’ll understand that.” Her eyes, glassy from tears, turned back to me. “She left behind a young son. Harrison had taken them both in a year before she died, treating her son, Justin, as his own. Kyran thinks Harrison loved Jasmine more like a sister, giving her the haven she needed, and him, the company he craved in that spooky, isolated house he lives in. But now, with Jasmine no longer here and the kid’s dad out of the picture with no family to step forward to take care of the boy, Harrison is responsible for a three-year-old who isn’t even his.”
“How awful,” I said, sad for Donovan’s friend. “I mean for them losing her in such a way. Not for taking on the kid.”
“It is awful. I’m glad he’s leaving his land for a bit and bringing Justin with him to the cookout. He’s such a sweetie. Justin that is, but then again, Harrison is, too. Not bad to look at either. Then you have Max. He’s the unofficial leader of the alliance, always looking for new packs to bring on board. And when you meet him, be prepared.”
“Why?”
“You’ll fall in love with him a little. He’s not even my type, and I fell for him a smidgen. Dangerous, attractive, smart, intellectual, wise, kind, manipulative. He’s the whole package.”
“He’s the brooding hero.”
She laughed. “You could say that. Only a more practical one. But they all lean on each other when needed. Those in the alliance make each other stronger.”
“But none of them have a mate?”
“Nope. They’re all lonely souls, wandering in the moonlight, pining for their other half. Aside from Donovan, of course. He’s now met his match.”
“Not sure about that,” I replied, too much to think about at once in that regard. “But we’ll see. Hasn’t Donovan felt the mate magic with anyone before?”
“No. And you’re lucky if you get it more than once in a lifetime. He’s had women, he’s no saint, but never anything serious.”
“Was there anyone recent?” I blurted before I could stop myself.
“Everleigh,” she replied, admiring the shirt she’d selected.
“Who?”
“One of Kyran’s pack. She’s a half-human and a superficial one. But she can’t shift like Donovan. However, she can feel things at a more elevated level. But I doubt she does. The woman has the warmth of a brick.”
I quirked an eyebrow. “I take it you don’t like her?”
“She’s one of those women who are nice to your face with a hidden agenda. He called it off with her when you came to town.”
“Wow. That is recent.”
Waving me off, she continued, “They were just fooling around. Donovan laid out the terms. He had his fun. She had hers. Although, knowing Everleigh, she was biding her time until she got her permanent claws into him.”
Doubt filled me then, enough to make me question my motives. Not because Donovan had dated, screwed around, or whatever, but at the realization I knew so little about him. I’d spoken of a future—a long term future—with a man I barely knew.
“Hey,” Grace soothed when she noticed my face. “She’s nothing to him. They weren’t even friends with benefits. More acquaintances with benefits. He used her for sex, and, as many guys do, was convinced she was using him, too.” She pointed at the next dress I’d tried on. “That is beautiful. You have to get that one.”
Doing a twirl, I also liked the black, sleeveless dress where the front formed into a V to show a bit of cleavage. The short skirt at the front swooped into a longer one at the back. With my flats, it would pass for casual as well so I could wear it again later on. “Yeah. I think I’ll get this. I could wear it for the cookout.” Halting, I looked at Grace, all barriers down. “Am I an idiot? Going gaga over a guy I’ve just met?”
“No. You’re not. You’re human. And you’re about to play with the wolves. Expect deep and fast.” She nudged my arm. “And I don’t only mean in the bedroom.”
“Nice.”
“I’m sure it is. But they play for keeps. If you’re not comfortable with going at a fast pace, then best not to hook up with a wolf. They love intensely, and when they know, they know.”
“And I should be freaking out by such a statement.” I sighed. “But I’m not. And maybe we can talk about it some more tonight when I buy you a beer to apologize for lying to you?”
“You don’t have to apologize.” Grace removed her shirt and grabbed a pair of flared pants. “I feel awful for lying to you, too. But I’ll go for that beer. I need to hear more about your sex life.”
“And I need to know more about this mate magic. Is it really a thing?”
“It’s real, alright. And it’s wonderful when it happens to you. Bit shitty when it doesn’t though,” she sighed, a weight falling onto her shoulders. “Especially if the one you love doesn’t look at you twice. How else are you supposed to find someone in this damn town? I’ve known everyone since birth. Apart from the newcomers who only live here because they’ve found their mate.” She forced a smile. “My parents worry. That’s all.”
I put a comforting hand on her arm. “Someone I know?”
