I didn’t understand why until I saw Shelby with her mates when I arrived a little while ago.
Two males mated to a female. The connection, the bonding, was more. Powerful. This was why I didn’t date. Not humans. Not shifters, especially knowing we weren’t mates. I fucked as part of a full moon run release, but every time, something felt missing. I’d thought it was because the female hadn’t been my mate. Because it was casual. Just sex.
Now I wondered if what I’d been missing was what they had here at Two Marks. What many of the guests at the barbecue had.
“Haven’t found her,” I replied, stating the obvious. It was impossible to keep it secret when a shifter found his or her fated mate.
If I had, though, would I still feel like something was missing? That there was a male who was supposed to be included? I had no idea how to even word what the three person relationship should be called. How did they even fuck?
As I took a swig of my beer, I watched Shelby and her mates. Wondered how they had sex. And that made me a creep, because I’d known Shelby my whole life, and I thought of her as a sister. Cousin, maybe.
“Work keeps me busy,” I said, to fill in the silence, even though voices carried all around us. “Plus, without a mate or pups, I can help out like I did with your mom.”
“You’re welcome to stay as long as you want,” Gibson offered. “Our connection with the Wolf family and pack is strong.” He smiled down at his mate. “We’re glad to have you.”
I saluted him with my beer. “Thanks, but Rand and I are starting a new project this week, so I’ve got to head back on Monday.”
I hopped to my feet, not wanting to keep this line of conversation up. “Anyone want anything? I’m going to hit the spread inside.”
People brought covered dishes to share. Between the grilled meats and the potluck offerings, the kitchen counter and dining table were covered.
Shelby, Gibson and Ben declined. After dropping my empty bottle in the recycling bucket, I headed in and found a plate. As I moved down the line of food, I froze.
There was a dish I smelled that I wanted. Sweet. Fruity. Turning around, I looked to the section where all the desserts were laid out to see what was so enticing.
A few cakes, brownies and cookies, but nothing that would make that delicious scent. I moved closer anyway, and took a deep breath. I turned again, away from the food, and into the great room.
My fists clenched and a growl rumbled in my chest. It wasn’t food that awoke my wolf. It was the blonde woman who was looking at pictures on the mantle over the large fireplace. She was small and curvy, in jeans and a pale blue top. I didn’t notice more detail than that because I couldn’t look away from her face, even in profile. I approached as if my life depended on it.
Maybe I was a little aggressive or moved too quickly, because when she turned my way, her eyes widened.
When I was five feet away, I stopped. Barely. Yes, the scent was coming from her. Sweet and sugary, but human. Definitely human. I didn’t know what she could be doing at a pack gathering like this but I didn’t care. My mouth watered. My wolf stood and howled. I’d never acted this way with a female before. Never been drawn to one like there was a magnet pulling us. No, not a magnet. As if I’d been waiting for this moment. For her. Like…
Holy shit.
Like she was my mate.
“Hello,” I said, my voice deep. It was almost impossible not to grab her and never let go. I knew I couldn’t do that, I’d scare her, but the need was so strong.
This beautiful creature, whose eyes were the same pale color as her shirt, smiled.
“Hi,” she replied. Her voice was soft. Gentle. “Is this your house?”
“Me? No. I’m visiting from another state.”
“Me, too.” She smiled, and that was it. Like a boxer hit by a wicked left hook, I was down for the count, and there was no getting up. I didn’t want to. My fists clenched thinking about her sharing that smile with anyone else. It was mine. She was mine.
“I’m Nash.” I moved closer now, not able to keep any distance between us.
“Rachel.”
I was ready to take her hand and lead her to my truck—hell, toss her over my shoulder to get her there—and drive off and never look back. Maybe it was because I’d seen my friends run into their mates for the first time—their human mates—that I recognized that she didn’t scent me. That meant…
Yup, human.
Rand had to be laughing right now. The same went for Boyd and Clint and the other guys who’d had to work their asses off to not only claim their female, but to make her fall in love with them.