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We both laughed. “No, you’re not. You’re allowed to express anything you’re feeling without guilt, Sheppard. And yes, I was excited about coming here for a vacation.”
I scoffed. “Yeah, plus the rumors that this place is guaranteed to have you leaving no less than fully mated.”
All the color drained from Locke’s face. “What? I-I haven’t heard those rumors.”
I looked around, waiting for the punch line or someone to reveal we were on a hidden camera show. He had to be kidding.
“Locke, that’s why we were invited here. Franklin is a matchmaker. No one knows how he does it or why, but no one has ever stayed at the Bearclaw and left unmated. Or so I’m told.”
Another blush. My ego was thoroughly stroked at this powerful, almost intimidating bear getting embarrassed by me.
“I’m beginning to understand that. My assistant was a bit shady about the whole thing when I showed him the invite. Now I see why. I thought it was a good chance for a weekend away. But Davey almost pushed me out the door.”
The pause between us soured my stomach. There was a delicious meal in front of me, one I would’ve never been able to partake in while in training and now, the last thing I wanted to do was eat.
“Locke, don’t worry about it. Let’s enjoy this weekend.”
He began to eat. My heart sank and shattered inside me.
Mate. Tell him. We need him.
Of all the times for my rabbit to shout at me. The resolve in his voice made my heart flutter. He was sure that the man who was now silent across from me was my mate.
I’d ruined it before it even got a chance.
I raised my hand to alert the waiter. Locke needed to enjoy his stay here. He deserved a vacation without a mating hanging over him like a shadow.
The waiter brought me a to-go container. Locke looked over at me packing my food up. “Where are you going?”
“I’m letting you enjoy your meal and the rest of your vacation.”
“Sheppard, I didn’t… You don’t have to…”
I held up my hand. “It’s okay. Relax and have this time to yourself. I understand.”
Not what my rabbit wanted me to say, but he was my mate and, despite wanting him so badly I could taste it, his happiness came first.
“Sheppard, it’s…”
“Locke, listen. It’s okay. I’ve called an Uber. Maybe I’ll see you tonight at dinner. Have a great day.”
A car pulled up and I got in after confirming the details and, as much as I wanted to, didn’t spare a look at my bear mate who was now eating alone.
Mate. Go to him. Make him ours.
“Yeah, not today, buddy.” I sighed.
When I got back, our host met me in the foyer. “Good afternoon, Sheppard. Where…” The lines in Franklin’s forehead were deep while his eyebrows bunched over his nose. “Where is Locke?”
I forced a smile. The widow owner of this immaculate place hadn’t been wrong. But sometimes Fate had other plans. “He is still in town, but I got a little tired. Hey, I got this for lunch but decided I’d rather take a nap. Did you want it? I haven’t eaten a bite of it.”
“Oh, thank you. I don’t get into town much. Have a good rest, Sheppard.”
Chapter Eleven
Locke
I couldn’t eat a bite after he left. Once again, the server had to fetch a to-go box, but I forgot it when I left, and the poor guy chased me out on the sidewalk with it. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to eat again. Although nobody had mentioned to me about the mating aspect of this vacation—and I would have Davey’s head for that when I returned—I was more surprised than shocked to hear about it. My bear was adamant that Sheppard was our mate and had no issue whatsoever with a matchmaker being in the mix.
