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CHAPTER1
Leo
The tantalizing odor of beef, onions and fried food made Leo smile when his cheeseburger was set before him. He was as hungry as a man who hadn’t eaten in days. “Thanks, Nora.”
“Another beer?”
“Please.” He sank his teeth into his burger and closed his eyes for a moment of thanks before he chewed the culinary delight. He’d gone shopping for Christmas presents that morning, and he’d been looking forward to his reward the entire time. Especially since Leo didn’t find much joy in the holiday. As a single man in his forties, Christmas was a lonely time for him. His warrior buddies had mates and children to celebrate with. Leo did have his parents, siblings, and nieces and nephews, but being with them during this time drove home the fact he was mateless. He was growing increasingly doubtful he’d ever find one. The Northeast Kingdom of werebear was only so big, and he feared he’d run out of possibilities. He could take a road trip to visit another territory with the hope he’d find his mate there, but as a warrior, he didn’t have much free time.
As he sipped on his draft beer, an older woman wearing a business suit pulled up a stool to sit next to him, and Leo noticed a man, dressed as formally as she was, had chosen to do the same on his other side.
“Leo,” the older woman said. “I’m Donna Le Roux.”
“Oh, truffle fries,” the older man said with excitement. “Do you mind?” he asked as he grabbed a fry.
“Ah—” Considering the food was already in the man’s mouth, Leo said, “Sure.”
“Richard,” Donna said, “don’t be rude.”
The man stuck out his hand. “Richard Robichaux.”
“I was talking about eating his lunch,” Donna said.
Leo glanced between the couple as he wondered what their business with him was. Although, he had a good idea. He’d heard the rumors that the couple was matchmaking for older warriors. Donna Le Roux was a high-ranking council member of another clan in his territory, and Richard was the mate of the Robichaux clan’s alpha. He set his burger down with the suspicion it would be cold before he could take another bite.
“I adore truffle fries,” Richard said. “What I wouldn’t give to be a young buck again and eat anything I like.”
Donna smiled sweetly at the bartender. “My dear, I don’t suppose you have hot chocolate?”
“I do,” Nora said. “Would you like some peppermint schnapps in it?”
“Of course. And perhaps some candy canes?”
Norma smiled. “I’ve got those, too.” She looked at Richard. “What can I get for you?”
“Do you have buttered rum?”
“Not quite,” the bartender said. “But I can whip something up that’ll taste similar.”
“Excellent.” The man licked his lips as he eyed Leo’s meal.
Once Nora left to make the drinks, Donna said to Leo, “We have a Christmas surprise for you.”
Leo ignored the fact that Richard had snatched another fry. “Am I your next mission?”
“Actually,” Richard said as he grabbed another fry as if Leo had told him to help himself, “you’re the one with a mission now. We’ve found you a mate.”
Leo supposed he should balk at the idea of two septuagenarians orchestrating his love life, but he didn’t need convincing to hear them out. Yet another holiday season was hammering home how lonely he was without a true mate of his own, and he realized he was ready to try anything to find her.
When Richard took another fry,Donna grabbed Leo’s plate and pulled it closer to her. “Richard! Let the man have his lunch.”
Nora had arrived with the drinks, and Richard said, “My dear, could you get Leo an order of truffle fries? I fear I’ve eaten nearly all of them.”
She smiled at the man. “They’re hard to resist. I’ll be right back.”
Leo slid his plate back in front of himself where Richard could get to it. Excitement filled his heart at the prospect of finally meeting a mate, but a good warrior got all the information available before letting emotions take over. “What can you tell me about her?”
Donna swirled the large candy cane in her drink. “How do you feel about snow sports that involve gravity pulling you down a mountain?”
