“I don’t see that happening, Gabriel, but I’ll keep an open mind. I can’t tie myself to someone just for the sake of taking a mate. Cole loves Marin; you love Kiera; Michael even loves Chloe... hell, I love Chloe. Is it so wrong of me to want to love the woman I spend the rest of my life with?”
“No, it isn’t. I won’t push you anymore, but I don’t want trouble between you and Michael either.”
“You know I won’t do anything to make Chloe unhappy.” He turned onto the highway. “I’m getting on the interstate now. I’ll see you in a month, Gabriel. Everything’s going to be fine.”
“Call me if you need anything. And be careful, Ramsey.”
“I will.”
He closed the phone and concentrated on the open road in front of him. It was a long drive from Ashton Grove to the small town of Silver Mist, Mississippi.
Chapter One
Early Spring
Ramsey had been in Silver Mist for six months. His first day in town he’d chased away the alpha’s nephew, who had been a pest ever since. Not that Luna had helped. She’d announced that Ramsey was her mate, which had only infuriated the young werewolf and made him even more persistent. Ramsey hadn’t wanted to get romantically involved with her, not even for pretend, but he’d had no choice. They’d been on display every day. At first, they’d just shared hugs and brief kisses, what appeared to be intimate whispers, hand holding... but that hadn’t been enough to scare off the local wolves. When they’d started spying on them at night, Ramsey had had no other option but to up the game and he’d ended up sleeping with Luna. The worst part had been discovering that she was a virgin. She’d saved herself all these years only to lose her virginity to someone who could never love her in return. Ramsey hated himself for it.
With her reddish brown hair shot through with gold, soulful chocolate eyes, and petite slender figure, he had to admit that she was a tempting little thing. She barely reached his chest and he constantly reminded himself that she was fragile. It was like being with a china doll. Oh she spit and hissed like a furious kitten, but she was softhearted.
Although the most surprising thing he’d learned about her was her ability to shape shift. And not into just anything... no, little Luna, who wanted to live with wolves, shifted into an adorable, fluffy brown rabbit. He remembered staring at her incredulously when she’d first told him. He, of course, had called to tell his alpha immediately. He knew that Gabriel wasn’t aware of that little bit of news and he wasn’t sure how he would take it. Thankfully, the alpha had taken it in stride and had still welcomed Luna into the pack.
Now, after extensive work to Luna’s house and months of packing and sorting, it was time to return to Ashton Grove. Ramsey would be lying if he said he wasn’t nervous. Even being away all this time, his feelings for Chloe hadn’t diminished. He knew that if he couldn’t hide it, there would be problems when he returned home. Gabriel wouldn’t stand idly by while he stared at Chloe, and Ramsey wasn’t sure he would be able to keep his eyes off her.
He’d heard from Kiera off and on during his stay with Luna and knew that the baby had been born – a boy. From what he gathered, Chloe and Michael were madly in love with one another. It ripped him apart just hearing about it. Thinking about her with someone else, especially Michael, was a bitter pill to swallow.
On a positive note, the second alpha, Connor, had found his mate. That made four mated wolves out of the pack now. Their numbers were growing weekly according to Kiera so she was happy for the additional women. They were up to twenty-two wolves and four women. Well, five once he delivered Luna safely. It would be nice if they could find a few more unattached females to add to their numbers. Short of sending out a notice to the other packs across the nation, he knew that wasn’t going to happen.
Luna stepped into the room and smiled at him.
“Morning,” she chirped.
He grimaced and took a sip of his coffee. “Don’t remind me.”
“Not ready to go home?” she asked softly.
“Not really. Well, yes and no. I’ve had someone keeping an eye on my house, and I have to admit it will be nice to sleep in my own bed again – no offense – but I’m not anxious to...”
“To see Chloe,” she finished for him.
He nodded.
“Well, on the positive side, you won’t have to pretend to be mated to me anymore. I know how you feel about it.” She gave him a sad smile. “I’m sorry I pulled you into this.”
“It’s fine, Luna.”
“No, it isn’t. You don’t want a mate, and you certainly don’t want a pretend one. I know that... I know it’s been hard, being intimate with me these past months, but I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. I can never repay you.”
“Luna, stop.”
She shook her head. “No, I need to say this. I need to get this off my chest.
“I’m not the easiest person to live with. And with the pack constantly watching us, I know it’s been difficult for you. This wasn’t what you signed up for and I know it. But I think you should know, I’ve come to care for you since you’ve been here. I’m not saying it to scare you, but I think we’ve come to be friends, and I want you to know that I’m here for you. I know that going home is going to be hard on you and I’ll be there with you, every step of the way. Whatever you need from me, all you have to do is ask.”
He grinned and took her hand. “Thanks, Luna. That means a lot to me.” He cleared his throat. “I’ve come to care for you, too. I don’t think I could have done... well, everything we did without having some sort of feelings for you. But it isn’t love. I can’t ever love you, Luna. When we get to Ashton Grove, you should ask to be mated to one of the single wolves in the pack. They’ll protect you and help you forget.”
“What if I don’t want to forget? Ramsey, you were my first. That isn’t a memory I’m likely to ever lose. And being with someone else isn’t going to change that.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I just thought... you need to understand, Luna. I’ve seen the way you look at me when you think I’m not looking. You don’t just care about me, Luna, and you can’t deny it.”
“No,” she said softly. “You’re right. I love you and I can’t help it. But I know that you still love her, and I’m okay with that. You need to know that someone loves you, Ramsey, someone cares. No matter what, I’ll be there for you. I know you just want to be friends, and if that’s all you can give, then I’ll take it.”
“Luna, why are you doing this? Why now?”
“Because we’re going home tomorrow.”
“Do you think I want to know that you love me while I watch you with someone else, knowing that you feel the same way I do when I see Chloe? Do you think I want to know that you’ll be miserable?”
“I’ll have my memories to cherish so how could I ever be miserable? Besides, who said I would take a mate?”
Ramsey snorted. “Who said you’d be given a choice? You know the alpha is going to mate you to someone. It’s just a matter of when. If you’re lucky, he’ll let you get settled in first, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. We have too many males in the pack who have been dying to have a mate. Having a single woman around, especially since there’s just one of you, would cause chaos.”
“Knowing I turn into a rabbit will scare off quite a few.”
“You’d be surprised.”
She sighed. “Look. Why don’t we just finish up here and hit the road? Arguing over what may or may not happen in Ashton Grove isn’t going to do us any good. I’ll have other things on my mind besides finding a mate, like finding for a job and a permanent place to live. I appreciate the use of your garage apartment, but I can’t stay there forever.”
“It’s not like anyone else is using it.”
“Ramsey.”
“Fine, we’ll head out in an hour.”
***
It had been more like two hours before they’d left town. Luna had wanted to bring her car with her, but Ramsey had argued tha
t it would be quicker and more efficient if they just took his Hummer. Finally, she’d relented. He’d promised to have someone from the pack come and pick it up for her later in the week.
Now they were halfway to Ashton Grove and she was fidgeting in her seat.
“Do you need a break? Want to stretch your legs?” he asked.
“No, I’m fine.”
He watched out of the corner of his eye. “No, you’re not fine. You haven’t been able to sit still for the last hour. What’s wrong?”
“What if they don’t like me?”
“Excuse me?” He hadn’t expected that question in the slightest. Of all the things for her to worry about, she didn’t think the pack would like her?
“It’s just... I’ve had so much trouble from the pack at home. The women didn’t like me much and the guys, well... they were typical guys. I want a different kind of life in Ashton Grove. I want to be accepted, to be part of something. I want friends.”
He grinned. “They’ll love you, Luna, especially Kiera.” The grin slipped from his face. “And I know that Chloe will like you too.”
“I have to admit that I’m curious about her. She must be wonderful.”
“Why do you say that?”
“She has two men who love her, you and her husband. How could she not be wonderful? I know you wouldn’t fall in love with someone who wasn’t special, Ramsey. She must be a remarkable woman.”
“It’s her smile.”
Luna eyed him curiously.
“The moment I saw her smile I knew that I wanted to get to know her better. We’d already been told that she was Michael’s, or that she was living with him. It was easy to see that she was pregnant, and we all knew the baby was his. But that didn’t stop me.
“And once I started talking to her, I wanted to know even more about her. She’s delicate and I wanted to protect her. I wanted...” He swallowed hard. “I wanted to be the man she spent the rest of her life with. The one who would help raise her child and have others with her. And in return, I would have given her anything and everything. She owned me, heart, body and soul. And she never even knew it.”
“In other words, we aren’t very much alike,” Luna said softly.
“No, you aren’t. You’re about the same height, and you have a little red in your hair, but that’s it. You’re daring and bold, ready to tackle anything and do whatever it takes to get the job done. You’re a strong woman who really doesn’t need anyone to solve her problems.”
She grinned. “Not so much or the alpha wouldn’t have sent you to me.”
“You could have stood up to them. It was just easier with me there. Having a mate by your side kept them at bay until you were able to leave town. Now that you’re not in Silver Mist anymore, you don’t really need me.”
“Of course I do.”
He shook his head. “Trust me, you won’t need me in Ashton Grove. Kiera will take you under her wing and Gabriel will help guide you along the right path. You’ll have a ton of friends before the week is over, possibly even before the day is over.”
“Ramsey, no matter how many friends I have, there will always be room in my life for you.”
He grinned. “Thanks.”
Chapter Two
Ashton Grove
A pregnant Kiera opened the door and Ramsey grinned at her. After having the alpha’s first child, it seemed she’d gotten pregnant again almost immediately.
“Miss me?”
She pulled him into the house and hugged him. “You know I did. I’m so glad you’re back.”
“I brought someone for you to meet. Kiera, this is Luna,” he gestured to the small woman beside him. “Luna, this is Kiera. She’s the alpha’s mate.”
Kiera gave Luna a bright smile. “I’m so glad you decided to join our pack. It will be nice to have another woman around.”
“I’m just happy you accepted my petition,” Luna said softly. “I don’t think I would have lasted much longer in Silver Mist. If Ramsey hadn’t come along when he did, I probably would have been mated to the alpha’s nephew.”
“Well, you won’t have to worry about that now.” She grinned. “There are lots of single wolves in the pack to choose from.”
Luna nodded and quickly glanced at Ramsey, a look that wasn’t lost on Kiera.
“Is Gabriel home? I wanted to speak with him before I took Luna to the house. She’s going to stay in the garage apartment for now.”
“Oh, well... she would have been welcome here.”
“It’s just temporary,” Luna said. “Once I find a job, I’ll start looking for a place of my own.”
Kiera’s eyes widened. “You might want to speak to Gabriel first. I don’t think he’s going to allow that.” She grinned. “Our males may be civilized, but they’re guys just the same. I don’t know that it would be safe for you to be alone.”
“My wife is right,” Gabriel said, stepping into the room. “Welcome, Luna.”
Luna ducked her head and moved closer to Ramsey. The alpha may not be as large as the wolf beside her, but she still felt intimidated. “Thank you.”
“While I don’t believe anyone in the pack would harm you, they would pester you to death if you moved out on your own. If you don’t want to live in the apartment at Ramsey’s house, then you’ll have to move in here until you’re mated,” Gabriel said. “It’s for your own safety as well as the good of the pack. I can’t have over a dozen wolves fighting over you.”
“I understand,” she answered quietly. “I don’t mind staying with Ramsey. I just don’t want to be a burden.”
The alpha’s eyes sharpened on the other wolf. “And has he done or said anything to make you feel like you would be a burden?”
“Oh! No, of course not, it’s just... I’m used to being on my own,” Luna assured him. “Ramsey’s been good to me. I don’t know what I would have done without him.”
“Good.” His eyes never left Ramsey’s. “See that it stays that way.”
Ramsey nodded. It was obvious that it would take some time to curry favor with the alpha once more. He’d really blown it back when Chloe had married Michael and he didn’t know how to fix it. If anything, he had a feeling things were going to get worse before they’d get better. He had yet to see her, but his heart ached just knowing Chloe was near.
“Did you come straight here?” Gabriel asked.
“Yes. I thought you and Kiera would want to meet Luna, and I wanted to let you know I was back in town. We’re going to the house when we leave here so she can get settled.”
“Just to get Luna settled?” the alpha asked.
Ramsey’s jaw tightened. “I haven’t been in the house since... Once Luna is safely tucked away in her apartment, I’m going to Laguna Paradise. I haven’t had a drink in months and I’m long overdue.”
“So you have to get drunk to stay in your own house?”
Ramsey looked away.
“I had hoped the time away would make you see things more clearly,” Gabriel said. “But it seems that nothing has changed.”
“Would you stop loving Kiera in six months if she married someone else?” Ramsey asked. “Or even in a year, or two years? Or would you love her for the rest of your life regardless of whether or not she wanted you in hers?”
“I have a right to be concerned, Ramsey. I have to do what’s right for the whole pack, not just you. She’s happy with Michael and I won’t let you ruin that.”
“I’d sooner rip out my heart than make her unhappy. But it doesn’t mean this is easy on me.”
Gabriel nodded, “Fair enough.”
Ramsey walked to the front door where Luna was patiently waiting. “I’ll see you at work in the morning,” he told Gabriel.
“Take another day or two off.”
“No, I need to keep my hands and my mind busy. I’ll bring Luna here so she can get to know Kiera better. The sooner I get back into a routine the better.”
“If you go to Laguna tonight, you’ll probably see Hunt
er. Tell him that I need him to work tomorrow, too. I’m going to give Michael the day off. I don’t think the two of you need to be around each other just yet.”
Ramsey nodded and herded Luna out the door.
***
After getting Luna settled in her new apartment, Ramsey left for Laguna Paradise, a local bar. It was where most of the guys at the shop went when they wanted to unwind. Hell, most of the guys in the pack for that matter. Ramsey was sure it had more to do with the short skirts the waitresses wore than the music or drinks.
Just as Gabriel had predicted, Hunter was in residence. He’d noticed that his friend was hanging out in the place more and more and he wondered why. He didn’t drink a lot while he was there so Ramsey figured it had to be a woman.
He sat on the barstool next to the other wolf.
“I didn’t realize you were back in town,” Hunter said.
“Just got back about an hour ago.”
“And you’re in Laguna already?”
Ramsey shrugged. “Seemed like a good place to forget.”
“You know, you’re going to see them eventually. How are you going to deal with living here if a memory drives you the bars?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll figure it out. I’m just not ready to go home yet. My stuff is still in the Hummer. I just know if I go in the house I’ll still see her there, ya know?”
Hunter nodded. “What you need to do is go there with a woman. Hell, you could have you pick of any woman in here.”
“I don’t want a one night stand, Hunter. I don’t want a woman for that matter. I just finished playing mate to someone. Let me enjoy my freedom while I have it.”
“And yet if Chloe were free, I have a feeling your freedom is the last thing you’d want.”
“That’s different.”
“You need a mate, Ramsey. Someone to take your mind off Chloe and everything that happened. I’m sure there’s someone out there who can make you happy if you’ll just give them a chance.”
“How many women do you know who wouldn’t run the moment they learned the secret?”
“I’m sure there are plenty out there. You just have to give them a chance.”
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