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“I know that I haven’t been around, nor do I know the whole backstory here. But, I think you should give your mate a chance. Not necessarily just giving into him. I am all for making him work for it. But he is your mate, who the goddess chose for you,” Nova says encouragingly.

Willow slams her hand down on the table, “Absolutely not! I’m sorry, but after everything he has done, with no care for your feelings…. I won’t see you get hurt again.”

Hazel places her hand over my own that is fidgeting with the napkin. “Aspen, look at me.” I bring my eyes to hers. Concern etched deeply on her face, she says, “I have to agree with Willow. We have been here consoling you after every girl that left his bed. We know you have Chase now. Even though it can’t be long term, at least he cares for you. At least he concerns himself with your happiness. We are here for you, whichever you choose, but know that people don’t just get to wake up and decide to choose their mate.”

Pulling my hand out from under hers, I pick up my coffee, taking a sip. The liquid flows down, warming my soul. I know that we were young when he cheated on me, but that isn’t the only time he has chosen someone other than me. Everyone in our community knows about the constant flow of women in and out of his bed. How can you do that to your mate? He doesn’t care about me. He might have a reason for wanting me now, but that doesn’t take away from all the years he chose someone else.

A few months ago, after many margaritas with the girls, I confessed that I was tired of feeling alone. I cried for hours about all the feelings I had kept bottled up over the Warrick situation. Hazel mentioned something about a situationship, for which we all looked at her like she had a third eye on her forehead. After a thorough explanation, one I needed again when I was sober, the idea took root in my mind. I could totally do something like that. A person who is meant to be there for companionship, comfort, fun, and what each person needs without the romantic aspect of it. One night, as I was walking home from the bookstore, Chase stopped me to ask if I was walking home alone this late at night.I thought it was odd, but endearing at the same time. Needless to say, he walked me home, and we realized how much we had in common.

After exchanging numbers, we spent hours chatting over the phone that night. We both were drinking glasses of wine, we realized we had the same bottle, which is another reason he is perfect. Three glasses in, I pitched the wild idea of being in a situationship and he agreed. Looking back now, it should have concerned me that he was so agreeable while barely knowing me. But something about Chase put me at ease. Since then Chase has been nothing short of amazing. Outside of dragging me to the mountains for hikes, he is the most supportive, attentive boyfriend.

Warrick might be my mate, but he has always chosen others over me. It’s time that I choose someone over him.

Shaking my head to pull myself out of my feelings, I look up at Hazel. “It doesn’t matter why he wants to claim me now, because I have Chase. I’m not going to throw away a perfect boyfriend for the one who broke me. It doesn’t matter that Chase is a mountain lion. We both know that we can’t breed or mate. We both want this for the companionship and fun that it can bring, at least until he finds his mates.”

Nova's face scrunches in confusion. “Speaking of, why can’t you breed or mate?”

Willow speaks up before I can. “It’s part of the treaty that allows all of the species to live in Jasper. Dating casually is acceptable, however, permanent relationships with other species are forbidden. We all have intended mates, even if we haven’t found them, and it goes against our way to choose someone else. We can’t genetically breed anyway.”

“Huh, the things you learn. Is there anything else I should know?” Nova asks.

“There is quite a lot actually, but, off the top of my head, I would say that we aren’t allowed to fight other species without being provoked, which is why we all co-exist so peacefully. Everyone does what they can to keep the tension low between species.” Willow shrugs as she picks up her coffee again.

The girls continue to chat and teach Nova more about pack life as I sit and think about why Warrick showed up. Nothing he says makes sense. How did he go from having no issue being with others to finally wanting me? As I watch the girls chat, I can’t help but wonder if Nova giving into Silas has anything to do with why he finally changed his mind. The possibility seems plausible with it happening so soon after they mated. Yet, I can’t help but worry that his intentions aren’t in the right place. Does he want me for me or is it simply because ‘fate said so’?. While I might deeply want my mate, like a piece of my soul is missing, I don’t want Warrick, at least not yet. The Warrick that walked into my bookstore demanding I give into him isn’t the mate for me. I want him to want me for me. I know that fate says we are perfect for each other and that’s great and all. But you don’t spend a lifetime reading about these epic, world-challenging styles of romances only to settle for someone who doesn’t even know you well enough to know that demanding me will never work.

Chapter 3

Aspen

Apen's 18th Birthday

“I can’t believe that we are finally 18!” Willow says as she finishes applying her lipstick.

We are all just a few months apart and as the baby of the group, tonight it’s finally my turn to celebrate my 18th birthday. Of course, Willow and Hazel are throwing a party.

They know that I am not a huge fan of parties, but they claim that “nobody should go without a huge celebration for becomingan adult”. When I mentioned that I was okay with pizza, ice cream, and the latest show on Netflix, you would have thought I said that I was okay with forgetting all about it. Honestly, if it wasn’t for them, I probably would be.

I watch as Willow finishes tweaking her hair for what has to be the thirtieth time since we started getting ready. She is so beautiful with her long, wavy, dark brown hair that flows down to the middle of her back. Her makeup is soft, with just a hint of blush on her cheeks. Sparkles shimmer on her gold mini dress that hugs her in all the right places. The strappy heels give her just enough height to make her legs look long.

Hazel comes in from the bathroom while finishing fastening the back of her earring. “You guys almost ready?” She looks over at me, where I am sitting on the edge of my bed. “Hey, chin up sister. This is your big day after all.”

Her plum sequin mini dress shows off her curves that I wish I could say I had. Her naturally red hair curls in ringlets down the front of her. She never applies more than foundation, brown eyeliner, and mascara because she says she doesn’t want to take away from her natural beauty. Which is fair, because Hazel is one of those girls that looks beautiful even when she first wakes up. I, on the other hand, do not.

A pop of lips comes from Willow as she finishes her lipstick. “Yeah, we are ready. Let’s get out there and celebrate!” She grabs her clutch purse before heading out the door.

Hazel looks at me with worry etched across her face. I know what she is thinking and it’s something I’ve already considered. Warrick is going to be there and I probably won’t like what I’ll find when I do see him. But, it’s not like I can avoid him forever. Isn’t the saying ‘fake it till you make it?’ So, while it will crush myheart to be near him and not be able to touch him, I’ll just have to push through it. He might not want me, but that shouldn’t stop me from celebrating.

“I’m fine Hazel. I know there is a chance that he will be there, but I’m going to have to get used to it. It’s not like this town is big enough that we are never going to bump into each other. Plus, we are leaving for college soon, so it won’t matter for much longer anyway.”

Grabbing my own clutch, I take one final glance at myself in my full length mirror. I can’t believe that I not only was talked into this party, but I was talked into wearing a black body con dress that is so short that if I move too much, my ass cheek will fall out. With a soft shake of my head, I head out of my bedroom with Hazel right behind me.

“You don’t have to stay tonight. If it gets to be too much, especially with Warrick, then you just tell me and we will go. Don’t suffer just because Willow loves to party.” She wraps her arm around mine. “It’s your party, but you don’t have to stay.”

I whisper a “thank you" before we walk into the living room. My mom is already ready with the camera. You would think this was prom again by the way she is gushing.

“Come on, girls, let me grab a couple photos of you before you head out.”

She makes a shooing gesture with her hand to push us together by the fireplace. With Hazel on my right side and Willow on my left, we smile for the camera. The flash pops a few times before we decide to make funny faces instead of the cute poses we had before.