His Forever Mate

by Jenny Tia

  There it was. The catch. My stomach dropped and I stood still, clutching my shirt in one hand and gripping the phone in the other.

  Casius sighed. “I’m not going to be home when you get in. I’ve been called out for a last-minute errand that I need to run. But listen, I’m leaving a key under the mat for you, let yourself in and I’ll be home as soon as I can.”

  “That’s it?”

  “Um, yeah. What do you mean?”

  I sighed, relieved. “Nothing. That’s totally fine. Like, completely fine. I can’t wait to see you, but a few more hours won’t hurt.”

  The smile in his voice shone through his words. “I can’t wait to see you, either.”

  The drive to Everglow was surreal. I felt like I was in a movie; like I was living someone else’s life. Early on in the car ride, I’d tried to start a conversation with the driver—just to let him know I wasn’t there to take advantage of him. Or maybe I was just trying to quell my own discomfort about accepting the service from him.

  I wondered why it made me so uncomfortable. A bus driver was no different, and I was always polite, but it wasn’t like I felt the need to let them know I was a nice person by chatting them up.

  The car driver answered my questions curtly and politely, and added “sir” into the conversation, but mostly he ignored me. I took the hint that he might be more comfortable if I just acted like every other passenger and let him do his job in peace. I sat back and stared out the window at the changing landscape.

  I started to feel lost as the huge oaks and hemlocks of Goldleaf gave way to the flatlands that separated our towns. This was the halfway point, an hour into the drive and geographically smack-bang between the only home I’d ever known, and the city I’d only ever explored in my mind during my paranoid flights of conspiracy theory reading. But as the flatlands grew hillier and the grasses became speckled with the branched, painfully upright pines of Everglow, my chest grew warm and my shoulders relaxed. The woods filled in on both sides of the Hawksight Highway, and even though the prickly pines needles were a far cry from the foliage found in Goldleaf, I somehow felt like I was home again.

  Even stranger was the feeling following me as the car turned off the highway and headed into the city center. Forests gave way to tall buildings, though the roads stayed wide and flat, with thin pavements on each side and hardly any pedestrians to be seen—a stark difference to Goldleaf’s paved walkways and bustling foot traffic. Here, it seemed that everyone drove. The streets were lined with parked cars, and the traffic held us at a cross light for what I thought was a ridiculous amount of time.

  “Is it usually like this?” I asked as I leaned over the front seat to talk to the driver.

  “No way. This is a good day. I’ve previously sat at these lights for much longer.” My eyebrows shot up and I blinked in amazement. From what I could tell, the city wasn’t that big, geographically speaking. Why not just walk? My mind whirred through conspiracy theories about petroleum companies, population control, the government trying to make the people feel as isolated as possible… Until I remembered I was there to connect with someone—the exact opposite of what “they” might be trying to do.

  I took a deep breath and told myself to calm the hell down. I sat back and let myself enjoy the rest of the ride, looking up at the big buildings either side of the car, the neon signs lit up even in the middle of the day, and the retail storefronts full of goods.

  Casius’s home was just outside the city center in what the driver told me was home to the protectors of the Inner Guard and other officials close to the Supreme Alpha. It sounded official, but the street just felt suburban. Rich suburban. Leafy trees, well-kept yards, and a patch of woods visible behind each row of houses. It was nothing like the neighborhood my parents lived in. This was just nice.

  The car pulled into a lane that wove up through a wooded hill, and up to a broad welcoming, circular driveway. I gasped and covered my mouth when I saw the house. It was a ranch-style two-story home with adorable shingles, big windows, and wood everywhere. It wasn’t my style—hell, it was nothing like anything I’d ever seen in Goldleaf with all of its stone and marble architecture—but it was so beautiful I immediately loved it.

  We pulled up close to the door and I tried to give the driver a tip, but he just waved me off and shook his head. “Please. I get paid well. I’m one of the Supreme Alpha’s employees.”

  I frowned and insisted until he finally gave in and took my cash. I hauled my canvas bag out of the back of the car then hoisted it onto my shoulder, gazing up at the front of the home as the car drove off.

  I took a deep breath and caught a hint of Casius’s scent on the breeze. It was mixed with the sharp, resin scent of the pines all around the property, and the crisp smell of water in the distance. I could barely wait to go for a run and find some of those fabled waterfalls, but first things first… Exploring Casius’s home.

  The key was under the mat as he promised, and it slid into the lock with such smoothness I barely believed it would open the door. Nothing like the heavy, clanging keys of my locks. I wondered how I must have seemed to him when he’d visited me, and I felt a sharp pain in my guts at the thought he’d seen me as uncivilized… He’d never shown any signs of that, but he lived in such a slick, modern home, in a slick modern city. How could he not?

  My fears melted when I stepped inside. It sure was slick and modern, but it was also warm and just so…Casius. His essence flooded all my senses. I felt like I was discovering a new part of him. I moved through the entrance that opened up in a huge living room decorated with framed art prints, statues made of wood and stone, and a big well-used fireplace.

  A bouquet of peonies lay on the coffee table in front of the oversized couch, and I dumped my bag on a big cozy chair so I could crouch down and read the card attached to them.

  Julian, my love…

  Welcome home.

  I gasped and held a hand to my chest. My heart was so full, it felt like it might burst by the time I fell in love with Casius… If I hadn’t already.

  13

  Casius

  I smelled Julian’s musk as soon as I got home, and I immediately fell in love with the mixture of his scent and the smell of my house. I already knew he fit in perfectly here. But I couldn’t find him at first. I saw his bag in the living room, but no other sign of him.

  I looked through the sliding glass door out onto the back porch and let out a relieved sigh. There was my mate’s beautiful silhouette, leaning against the railing overlooking the lake. The evening light made it look like a postcard, and I tried to take a mental snapshot so I would always remember seeing him in Everglow for the first time.

  Julian turned around as I slid the door open, and he smiled so sweetly at me I felt a powerful emotion catch in my throat.

  “Hey, you,” he said, and I strode over to him and scooped him off the ground in my arms as I planted a firm kiss on his mouth.

  “It’s so good to see you here,” I said as I placed him back on the ground.

  “I love it here.”

  “Really? Already?” I was grinning like a madman.

  “Yeah! I’m a little surprised, to be honest. But it feels so…homey.”

  “That makes me so happy,” I said, and I squeezed him in my arms again. “Are you hungry for dinner?”

  He nodded and kissed my lower lip tenderly.

  “Alright, I’ll take you to the Falls Café. My friend Josie works there, she’ll take good care of us.”

  “Sounds perfect,” Julian said.

  At the Falls, Josie rushed over as soon as the hostess had directed us to a particularly nice table by a window. There was a single rose in the middle of the table, which was not customary for the café’s casual dining style.

  “Oh my gosh, Julian,” she said. “It’s so nice to meet you. Welcome, welcome. Are you comfortable? What do you drink?”

  “So nice to meet you too,” Julian said with an adorable sheepish smile. “Um, I don’t
know what you have here, but a glass of your house red will be fine.”

  “Coming up.” Josie beamed and started to rush off.

  “Nice to see you too, Josie,” I said, playfully glaring at her until she came back.

  “Oh, good of you to bring Casius along,” she said to Julian, laughing.

  I sighed impatiently at her.

  “Hello, darling,” she said finally, leaning down to kiss my cheek.

  “How’s your day been?” I asked her.

  “The customers have been wild, let me tell you. But now I get to see you two gorgeous men, all is forgotten!” She clapped her hands excitedly.

  “I’m glad we came, then.” I chuckled, and Julian smiled at me, seeming genuinely pleased to be here.

  “Hopefully the food isn’t bad, either. I’ll give you some time with the menu. We’ve got a whole grain risotto on special today that comes with asparagus and peas. Glass of red for you too, Cas?”

  I nodded, and Julian thanked her as she walked away.

  “She’s delightful,” he said to me before taking a sip from his glass of water. I watched his lips meet the glass and licked my own lips. The light coming through the window was making him look more delicious than ever.

  “She is. And I knew you two would hit it off. Most of the food here is great,” I said, picking up the menu off the table to scan it, even though I’d read it a hundred times already.

  “Just not the mushroom burger, right?” Julian smirked, and I laughed.

  “That’s right. Definitely not up to your standards. But the spaghetti alla puttanesca is really good.” I leaned over and pointed it out on his menu.

  “Mmm, that sounds good. Are you going to get that?”

  “Yeah, I’m in the mood for something salty. Anything look good to you?”

  Julian nibbled on his bottom lip as he scanned over the page. I couldn’t help but stare at his lips while he did, until he looked up and caught me.

  “You look good to me,” he said with a mischievous smile.

  I grinned and reached out to hold his hand. The scent of the rose made it feel like we were swathed in a bubble of sweet romance.

  “That’s not what I meant,” I said softly, running my thumb over his forefinger. “But I’m not mad about it.”

  “Good,” he said, dropping his gaze back to the menu. “The garlic lemon trout sounds good actually. I think I’ll get that.”

  “Nice choice. And the roasted potatoes it comes with?” I kissed the air in front of me like a stereotypical chef.

  “Okay, and if you’re really nice to me, I might give you one.”

  “I appreciate that offer, and I would like to extend the same to you. A bit of spaghetti for your trouble.”

  Julian wrinkled his nose. “I don’t like anchovies, thanks.”

  I laughed. “I guess you don’t have to be nice to me, then.”

  “That works,” Julian said with a wicked smile.

  I had to laugh again. I loved the way he played with me, and I enjoyed knowing he saw me as up to the challenge of matching his wit. I took a sip of water and broached something that had been nagging at me. “So, I was thinking of taking you to a museum tomorrow.”

  “That sounds fun. I like history.”

  “Great. Me too. And there’s something else…”

  “Hm?”

  “My parents would like to meet you. If it’s not too soon, that is. They’re really great, so there’s nothing to worry about. I haven’t promised them anything. But they’ve heard me gushing about you plenty, so, they’re pretty excited at the idea of meeting you.”

  “That could be nice,” Julian said, but I could hear a lilting uncertainty in his voice. Just then, we were interrupted by a swaying, lanky figure suddenly gripping the table with his hands.

  “Hello, hello,” Sloan said, smiling like an alligator.

  My soft, loving grin dropped off my face like a lead weight. “Hello, Sloan.”

  “Oh, nice to meet you, Julian,” he said, looking at Julian the way a hyena looks at an antelope. My wolf growled softly, but Sloan took no notice. “I’m Sloan Hughes, you might have heard of my father.”

  “Supreme Alpha Hughes, I’m guessing,” Julian said, more confused than cautious. I was impressed Sloan didn’t intimidate him. Sloan daunted most people when they found out who he was, however, I guessed Julian wasn’t overly bothered with someone who was obviously trying to be intimidating.

  “That’s right.” Sloan turned to me then whispered, “He’s pretty smart for a Goldleaf boy.”

  I wanted to rip his throat out, but I swallowed my rage. “If you couldn’t tell, Sloan, we’re in the middle of a date, so you can scuttle back into the hole you crawled out of now. Nice to see you, though.”

  Sloan turned back to Julian. “Well, congrats, Julian. I guess you’re next in line to be charmed by this handsome devil, only to find out you’re not good enough for him to stick around. That’s what always happens with this one. But you knew that already, right?”

  “Sloan,” I growled in warning. “My past dates are no longer relevant. Julian is my fated mate. You can back off.”

  “Oh, my mistake. So then I guess he lives up to your astronomical standards. He must be perfect in every way.” Sloan gazed into Julian’s eyes menacingly. “Sorry, I just like to reminisce about the past with my old friend.” He raised his hand to place it on my shoulder, but I swatted it away.

  “At least I didn’t sleep with half the basketball team, Sloan.” I hoped some embarrassment would get rid of him. He shot daggers into me with his eyes. “Want to keep reminiscing?” I asked, challenging him.

  “Fuck you!” He brought his fist down on the table and rattled our wine glasses. Then he turned on his heel and stormed off, but not before glancing over his shoulder to snarl at me one more time.

  Josie rushed over to the table to check on us. “He seems particularly off-balance today. Some people just can’t stand to see other people happy.”

  “What’s his deal?” Julian asked, looking taken aback and slightly amused.

  “He’s always been jealous of Casius,” Josie explained. “He thought he could sleaze his way closer to his own father by pursuing Casius, and when that didn’t work, he decided to just attack him continuously like an angry dachshund.”

  “That’s pretty much it. Sorry about that,” I said with a grimace to Julian.

  “Well, I guess that was going to happen sooner or later.” He raised his eyebrows and grinned. “You know, with past omegas you’ve dated.”

  “I’ll get you an appetizer to take your minds off it. On the house. I hate that someone bothered you beautiful boys in my restaurant.” The finished straightening up the table before she dashed off.

  I turned back to Julian and sighed. “Where were we?”

  “Your parents want to meet me, apparently.”

  “Right. Yes, and they’re amazing. Really positive and affectionate people. You have nothing to worry about. But like I said, it’s okay if you’re not ready. And you don’t have to tell me now.”

  “Okay, I’ll think about it.”

  I took that as a “yes” and smiled to myself as I thought about how much they’d enjoy each other’s company.

  Josie popped back over and slid a basket of zucchini fries onto the table.

  “Mmm,” I said as I inhaled the mouth-watering smell of fried breadcrumbs.

  “What are these?” Julian asked, eyeing them off suspiciously.

  I laughed. “Well, now who’s skeptical of a different culture’s food?”

  Julian growled, and I gave him a wink to let him know I was only joking.

  “They look good, I just wanted to know what they were,” he insisted.

  “They are good. Just be careful, they’re piping hot,” I said, attempting to pick one up with my bare fingers anyway and hissing when I had to drop it back into the basket.

  Julian laughed. “Guess you failed to take your own advice there.”

  I sigh
ed. “I think I’m actually starving, I didn’t realize.” I chuckled along with Julian. His smile seemed to light up the whole table. We didn’t need candles, I could have just basked in his glow all night.

  The next night, I took Julian to the New Moon Initiation ritual at the Supreme Mansion. I was obligated to attend as Supreme Pack Alpha Select, but I was actually excited to go. I was looking forward to showing Julian off in my home city, and the initiation was one of my favorite traditions. I was concerned about it being overwhelming for Julian as a newcomer to Everglow, but he quickly informed me it was one of his favorite traditions too.

  “What was your first shift like?” he asked me as we walked arm-in-arm through the woods from my house toward Alpha Hughes’s.

  “Painful,” I said, letting out a laugh that was quickly swallowed up by the darkness between the trees.

  Julian nodded.

  “And nerve-racking. But I was really excited when I presented as an alpha. I had always dreamed of having a pack of my own. Learning to be a strong leader. Typical alpha stuff. So when my eyes glowed red, I felt like my life was taking shape the way I wanted it to.”

  “Ugh,” Julian said, sounding disgusted. “That’s just too cute. It’s horrible. I can’t even handle thinking about you as a little fourteen-year-old wolf. It hurts my heart.” He clutched at his chest dramatically.

  “Trust me, I was just as awkward as any other fourteen-year-old boy.”

  “With that face? Impossible,” he said, pinching my cheek. “You would have been devastating. I’m sure of it.”

  I leaned down to kiss him deeply, catching him so off guard I had to hold him steady.

  “What about you?” I asked, walking on with my arm around his shoulders.

  “My first shift? God, I was so nervous I felt like I was going to throw up.” He rolled his eyes as if he was reliving the anguish. “But my brothers are both omegas so I figured I would be too, and yeah, here I am. The pain of shifting for the first time really sucked. There’s no way around that. But I loved going for my first run.”