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Because the Luna whispered it tohim.
My whole life, I wanted to find my fated mate. The one male meant for me, who would love me and protect me and keep me safe when I couldn’t do it myself… the male the Luna would pick out as my perfect match, and who I would build a life with.
And then, at nineteen, I found my heart’s mate. It didn’t matter that the Luna didn’t tell me he was mine. He was mine—
—but I’m not his.
That’s what Bishop is telling me. For years, West put off performing the Luna Ceremony that would make us bonded mates because he was convinced that, one day, the Luna would tell us we were fated mates.
We’re not. And all that means to me is that there’s a female out there who’s more perfect for West than I am.
I take a deep breath, then ask, “Does West know?”
“No. When the Gravetail wolves came to ask for entry into Hickory, he was on patrol on the south side of our territory. He knows that Rafael and his entourage are here, but not why.”
“Because it’s Alpha business,” I murmur, my voice catching in my throat.
That’s West for you. He knows his place is at Bishop’s right hand, but he trusts Bishop implicitly. Some of the gamma wolves who were part of Xavier’s inner circle thought my brother was making a mistake when he handpicked West to be his Beta. He had the right wolf for the job, and could be coached to have the right temperament, but their close friendship isn’t the reason why he ended up with the position.
His absolute belief that Bishop will always make the correct decision for the Sylvan Pack is what makes him the perfect Beta.
Bishop raps his palms on his desk. “It’s not Alpha business, canari. It’syourbusiness. Rafael came to proposition you. You get the choice. You can reject him. Just because the Luna said he’s yours, he only is if you agree.”
That’s right.
A mate gets to choose, and so stunned at this turn of events, I’m not sure what to do.
I don’t ask my brother for his input. His own actions precede him. When the Luna told him Sofia was his mate, he didn’t hesitate. He didn’t cross the country to meet her, though he did send a message to the River Run Pack the day after he became Alpha. She accepted without knowing a single thing about him, and they were bonded the next full moon.
That was eleven years ago. Proving that the Luna knows what she’s doing, they’ve been madly in love ever since.
But I’m already in love with another male…
Do I love him enough to let him go? Can I keep West, knowing that I’m depriving him of the chance to find his fated mate?
His true love?
And Rafael… I’ve never met him before, but if he’s going to one day be the Alpha of the Gravetail Pack, a union with him would erase the threat to the Sylvan Pack. I’d have to leave Hickory, of course, but I’d be leaving my home knowing that my new pack would be allies with my old one.
Put that way, what else could I do?
“If I agree, would I have to leave with him today?”
“Of course not. Alphas only take their mate once they have control of their pack. With Luis still the Alpha, it could be years before Rafael is in a position to make you his mate. You’d stay here with me, under my protection.”
I’d stay with Bishop and Sofia. But West…
“I’ll meet with Rafael,” I tell him. “But let me talk to West first, okay?”
My brother is careful not to give anything away with his expression. “You’ve made your choice then?”
I… I don’t think I even have one.
“Yes.”
Bishop reaches his palm out. Knowing what he wants, I place mine in his. “Don’t worry about West. He’ll understand. He’ll do what’s best for you.”
I know he will. West loves me, but he’s as equally as devoted to Hickory as me and Bishop are.
