Roman
Roman still loved Everleigh.
He didn't like admitting it, but there was no denying it. He figured it was better to just be honest with himself. He'd hardly considered having any other relationships over the last five years, and oh yes, he’d tried.
As the Alpha, it bothered the pack that he hadn't found a mate yet and started having pups. But his wolf wouldn't let him get close to anyone. That was the part he had not anticipated. He had not realized that his wolf was waiting, clinging to the memory of Everleigh. His wolf had caused quite a bit of strife when he was on each failed date.
He found Everleigh the very first day he came to town. He had not even asked her brother for her address or where she worked, assuming Sutton even knew those things. Roman wanted to see what he could find on his own.
His senses did not disappoint him. They took him straight to her real estate office. This one was built inside of what looked like an older home. It had white clapboards and a wooden front porch. There were several cars parked out front.
It was on the main street in the little town outside Juneau. Not far away there was an elementary school and an Italian restaurant and a barbershop.
Everleigh’s presence was like a beacon to him. She called to him. He parked his car and walked slowly down the main street.
The closer he got to the real estate office the stronger he could feel her. She was definitely inside.
My mate.
He ignored his wolf. His wolf had caused him enough problems over the years by refusing to allow him to date.
All of his brothers had tried to get him to date. Over and over. "I think I found someone you might like," Derek said, just a month ago. Roman and several of his brother’s had been hanging out by a lake, carving new canoes.
"Like for what?"
"To go out with," Derek said.
"Are you trying to set me up again?"
"Yes. You haven't dated anyone in a year. And even that was a pretty lackluster effort."
Roman ran his sandpaper back and forth over the wood. "You're still single. So is Jameson. So is Sutton."
"Yes, but we're not the Alpha."
They were correct. He was well over thirty, and it was rare for an Alpha to stay single for this long. "It just means I haven't met my mate yet."
Derek shot him a knowing look. "Are you sure about that?"
Roman knew his face was just a little too grim. "What do you mean?"
"There's something that I've never told you. I don't think it's going to be a big deal, but I'm not sure. In some ways it feels like you're going to be really pissed off."
"Just fucking tell me."
"Keep in mind that this happened five years ago, okay?" Derek said.
"I am keeping it in mind. Now quit building up suspense and just tell me."
Derek exhaled a breath. "Do you remember that bear shifter you were seeing? Her name was Everleigh?"
"Of course, I remember her."
He cleared his throat. Maybe he'd been a little too enthusiastic with his answer. "Yes. She sold our land to us. Plus, she was Sutton’s little sister." There were several looks of surprise among his brothers who were also his classmates. "I did not realize that," Derek said. "Anyway, during our annual reunion five years ago, I paid one of the younger shifters to pay her a visit."
"You paid Jacob to go see her? To do what?"
"Yes. I wanted him to talk to her."