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“Yeah,” he said, nodding. “I don’t quite know what it is, but there was a definite shift when we got back in town.” He picked up his burger and took a bite.

“I’ll keep an ear out, but I didn’t hear anything.”

A peaceful moment settled between them as a gentle breeze blew in through the window.

Asher was already thinking about getting home or maybe stopping by the shop to finish the last coat of paint on a piece.

“Oh!” Julie said, remembering something. “Betty’s niece is apparently back in town. Apparently, you guys know her.”

Asher inhaled his food and started coughing and sputtering.

“What?” growled Abe.

Julie’s expression turned concerned as she took in Abe’s scowl and Asher’s choking.

But Asher couldn’t be bothered with any of that.

“Sunny? Sunny is back?” Abe demanded.

Julie’s eyes danced between the two men. “Ummm . . . yeah, I think that was her name.”

Asher’s heart pounded away in his chest.

Sunny.

Sunny was back. As soon as he heard it, that was what he felt. All the sudden, he couldn’t catch his breath, and the walls were closing in.

“How long is she staying?” Abe asked.

“I don’t know . . . I didn’t really talk to her. Is everything okay?”

No. Everything was not okay. His wolf was itching to get out. His wolf wanted to run to Sunny and take her and hug her and protect her and make sure she never left again. But he would not. He could not. Not after what happened.

“Asher,” Abe’s deep, calm voice called to him, but he was too far gone. “Asher. It’s okay.”

It was not okay.

Asher stood and paced.

“What’s going on?” Julie asked.

“Sunny’s his mate.”

Asher’s gaze shot to Abe, ready to burn him down. “Was my mate.”

Misplaced anger . . . maybe, but Abe could handle it.

“I thought mates were forever?” asked Julie.

“Not when they leave you,” Asher spit at her.

Abe stood and caught Asher’s eyes. “Don’t talk to her like that. She doesn’t know. Take it out on me if you need to, but I won’t let you talk to her like that.”

“I’m sorry, Julie. I have to go.”

He walked to the door, threw it open, and stomped off into the woods.

He tried to calm his wolf, who was ready to run back to his mate and claim her, but that would not be happening. She had made her decision all those years ago.