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My fox was getting antsy. He knew he was about to hunt and wanted out. I didn’t blame him. It hadn’t been fair to him these past couple months…shifting inside a shitty motel room, being stuck on buses for hours at a shot, not hunting at all…none of that was conducive to the good life he’d once adored.

Surprisingly, not once has he pushed me to return home. It was like he knew we didn’t belong there, that something better was waiting for us out here. Who knew? Maybe we’d find it in the desert? Maybe a truck driver would pull into the motel needing a space for the night, we’d fall madly in love, and drive off into the sunset. Or maybe a random walk-in guest would need a few hours’ rest and turn out to be my true mate. When he left the next morning, my suitcase would be in his cab—only I didn’t own a suitcase, just a backpack, and even that wasn’t full. But that would be okay because my mystery mate would be wealthy and want to spoil me.

“What’s on your mind?” Gary asked as he parked. “You’ve got a silly grin on your face.”

“I was just…letting my mind wander into what-ifs.” It was a game I’d become well acquainted with since leaving.

“Ah—because you heard that a lot of people find their mates here?”

“Wait, what?” I blinked. “What are you talking about? I obviously missed part of this conversation.”

Gary laughed. “I said your mind was wandering because you probably heard the rumors. This place is a fun hangout slash matchmaking spot.”

“Hadn’t heard that. I’d been imagining driving away from the motel with some random rich stranger who was my perfect match,” I admitted.

“Is that what you’re looking for—rich?”

“Nah. The daydream before was a truck driver. I just…want to find my mate.”

“Don’t we all, honey?” He unclicked his seat belt. “Let me know if you need a ride home, or if you find another one.” He winked. “And I’ll make sure to tell you if I leave before you. And don’t worry about the beer… I don’t think I’ve ever paid for a drink here.” Another wink.

“Sounds like a plan.”

We weren’t exactly friends, but Gary was the closest thing I had to one right now. I appreciated that he’d brought me and that he was letting me do my own thing.

I popped the car door open, and my fox went wild.

Shift, shift, shift!

“Just hold on,” I muttered.

He wasn’t holding on.

I jogged, then broke into a run until I reached a bench piled with clothes which told me that this was the place. Not that it mattered because my fox was coming out regardless. I shucked my clothes, barely managing to get them off before my fox took over completely. He wasn’t tolerating any more dawdling.

The shift was so quick it was painful, but I could feel the instant relief in my beast followed but an sense of extreme urgency. This wasn’t like him, but then again I didn’t normally keep him cooped up the way I had been.

He tore off running, running with intensity. At first I thought he was hunting, but then he shared the scent with me, the one that had set him off. Our mate is here. From the smell, he was a bear.

We ran and ran. My fox stopped, nose in the air, inhaled deeply, then circled with his nose close to the ground. When he picked up the trail again, he bolted, his feet barely hitting the ground before leaping forward again. We might not have wings like Gary, but we were flying across the dessert ground.

My heart pounded, and I stayed as close to the surface as I could without interfering with my fox’s mission. I needed to find him, and my beast would assure we did.

I still couldn’t believe it. My mate was here…at Animals, a place I’d only recently heard of. But also, this was a nightclub. Just because my mate was here now didn’t mean he’d be here in five minutes. I daren’t not think about it, but he could also be gone, a customer passing through on their way to a far off land.

Please let him be here. Please let us not be too late.

And then we saw him in the distance.

He wasn’t far, and he must’ve seen us, too…his big form sprinting toward us until we met in the middle. He shifted first, his large naked form all muscular…tall…glorious standing in front of me. He looked at me as if I were the most precious thing in the world.

I took my skin next. The first thing out of my mouth was a single word, “Mine.”

He gave a nod. “Mate.”

Not long ago I’d nearly mated someone I didn’t even like, and now Fate had sent me this beautiful alpha with caring eyes, a sweet smile, and a body that checked all my boxes. Past me had done right by leaving. I might’ve given up what I thought was everything at the time, but really I was heading out to find my everything…to find my bear mate.

“Mate.”