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The last line hit me, a sledgehammer right to the sternum.
We want to raise our child with a mother, but since our mate has passed, romance is not on the table.
I must’ve read the paragraphs over and over, probably ten times. They would provide financially. I would have my own space in the home. No romance. No mating contracts, verbal or otherwise.
A job. A place to live. Comfortably. Financial security.
There was one plus to this match that they didn’t even know about. Sloan and Justice lived clear across the country.
There was no time to waste. I didn’t want to hesitate. I went to their personal page and found their phone number. My mind was made up.
“Hello?” A bass, velvety voice.
“Hello, is this Sloan or Justice?”
The male cleared his throat. “This is Justice. May I ask who is calling?”
“My name is Livvy. You and your friend sent me a request on the mating app? The two widowed males with the cub named Koby?”
I heard a chair scoot back. “Yes. Sloan told me about you. I didn’t realize we would be getting a call.”
His voice washed over me. Jason’s had never done that.
The more I thought about our mating, the more I realized how shallow it had been.
“Well, your profile said you needed someone urgently and I’m available. I thought maybe a phone call would be better. If not, I can communicate through the app.”
“No. No. Wait just a minute.”
I heard some clicks. “Sloan, are you there?”
“I’m here.” Another delicious voice. Damn it. No. This match was transactional. More emotion would be expressed at a bank teller’s window. No.
“Livvy, I have Sloan on three-way.”
“Hi. I’m Livvy. I knew your need for someone was urgent, so I thought this was the best way to respond.”
I could hear the jabbering of a toddler in the background now. Sloan must’ve been on cub duty. “I’m glad you did. Are you okay with the stipulations?”
“I am.”
“I see. We, um, I ran a background check on you, just in case. It was all clear. I didn’t want you to think we were just hiring someone off the app to take care of our child.”
I shrugged, even though they couldn’t see me. “I assumed the app would do that. I don’t mind. I have nothing to hide.”
Justice chimed in. “When can you come, Livvy?”Now. With just the sound of your voices.
“I’m in transition right now. I have nothing tying me here. I can come as early as…” I looked around my room and realized there really was nothing tethering me to this place. In fact, getting out of here would be a reprieve. “I can come today.”
There was a long pause. Sloan responded, “Are you sure?”
“I am.”
“Text Justice your info, and I can pay for a ticket. Tell me what airport is the closest.”
I did and told him I’d need just a few hours to pack up. We stayed on the phone while he paid for the ticket and the Uber to get to the airport.
There was only one last thing to do. I had to inform the alpha he would have one less pride member tomorrow.
