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“Yo, Kian,” Dante bellows.

I close my eyes, praying for patience and something to make my hard on disappear before I answer.

Good thing goats are such unpredictable animals. A headbutt to my ass has me thinking less about fucking Arliss and more about maybe not being a vegetarian anymore.

“Dammit, Jed! Get Dolly Mae out of here!” I grunt and adjust the tarp over the truck bed, silently begging my hormones to get it together.

“Lord, I’m sorry there, Kian. But, just so you know, that’s Dolly Sue,” Jed mumbles, and grabs the bright pink lead he has attached to a neon green collar around the goat’s neck.

“Whatever,” I grumble, and feel bad almost immediately because I know how much his girls mean to him.

Mental note: Bring treats to the goat barn later.

“When do you have time to work with me for the rodeo next week?” Dante asks, and I frown.

I hadn’t thought about that.

“How about tomorrow afternoon?”

He nods and I walk around to the driver’s side of my truck.

Last rodeo, I admit I was distracted. After all, I’d literally run into my mate. It made my Bull all out of sorts.

This time, though, Arliss is mine. And my Bull is feeling calm and confident.

But I have no time to go over anything with him right now. See, I’m a man on a mission.

Because today?

Today I have a surprise for my mate.

Something with potential.

Something I hope she sees as thoughtful.

Something that says this isn’t just about sex and fated bonds and surviving the next full moon.

It’s about building a life.

A life with her.

And if I’m lucky?

Maybe she’ll let me keep her forever.

Chapter Twenty-Two-Arliss

My phone pings as I ease Cleo, my little rust bucket, into the gravel drive, the tires crunching softly beneath me.

I’d just come from helping Gramps pack up the last of his things—he and Melody officially decided to move in together.

Engaged, no less.

And honestly? I can’t stop smiling.

Gramps is in love.

Like, giddy, teenager in a soda shoppe, tripping over his slippers in love.