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“I know. And that’s why I knew you and Bailey would have to be coming to an end. She’s a sweet girl, and I really, really like her. And it’s obvious she adores you, but she’s not right for you.”

“I love her.”

“You might. And if you really are in love with her, you have some soul searching to do. But if it’s just that you love her, and aren’t in love with her, Bailey breaking up with you might be the best thing for you.”

“Why? How could this be the best thing for me?”

“Because Cristie is your mate.”

“No, she’s not my…” he was clearly lost in thought as his words died off before he even finished his sentence.

“Back when you were both little toddlers, you always protected her and watched over her. We used to smile and say how sweet you were, and never really thought it was more.”

“It wasn’t like Havoc and Analise,” he said thoughtfully. “Not that I remember anyway.”

“No, it wasn’t. It was just two best friends. You’d both been through a lot, and I think that brought you closer together.”

“That’s probably all it is now. We’re just old friends.”

“Think about the way you were drawn to her last night. You couldn’t stop yourself even though Bailey was right beside you. She’d speak to you and you didn’t even hear her because you were so lost in Cristie, who wasn’t even looking your way.”

“Was it really that obvious?” Remi asked.

“Yes. Even more obvious than I’m saying.”

Remi sipped his coffee and looked off into space for a few minutes. “Well, I guess that explains Bailey’s behavior.”

“What did she say?” Avaleigh asked.

“I don’t know. That she’s not angry. She just doesn’t like being made a fool of, and that she shouldn’t have to compete for attention.”

“She’s right. And rather mature about it, I must say.”

“I just don’t remember it that way, though.”

“What, the way you acted with Cristie there?”

“Yeah. I thought it was no big deal.”

“Honestly, you thought seeing Cristie was no big deal. You don’t remember searching for her everywhere and staring at her?”

“I mean, I was anxious to catch sight of her, but that was only because I haven’t seen her in so long.”

“Keep telling yourself that.”

“You could be wrong, Mom.”

“I could be. I’m not a shifter. I can’t pick up on the things most everyone else does. But I don’t think I am.”

“Why not?”

“Delilah, Maverik, everybody that is keyed to pick up on those things, picked up on it.”

Remi put his head in his hands and sighed.

“You know, Maverik has always said that just because fate gives you a particular mate, doesn’t mean you have to mate them. You know all about mine and your father’s story. And Maverik’s for that matter.”

“I know, I just… I don’t know.”

“Do you want to mate Bailey? She’s a lovely girl and she’d make a wonderful wife, but how would you feel every time you saw Cristie?”

“I don’t know, Mom. I’m so confused.”

“There’s more to consider, Remi.”

Remi raised his head from his hands and looked at his mother. “Like what?”

“Bailey can’t give birth to your children. But let me also remind you that the best children are those you chose.”

Remi smiled at his mother and reached out squeezing her hand. “I know, Mom. If I do decide to stay with Bailey, if she’ll have me, I have to talk to her about that. She has no idea I’m any different from any other guy.”

“She does have the right to make that decision for herself,” Avaleigh said.

“Yes, I know.”

“And then what do you do if the pull to Cristie is so strong you can’t ignore it anymore, and you’ve mated Bailey.

And then how fair is it to Cristie? Doesn’t she deserve her mate?

She’s so sweet and kind. Though, I have to admit there’s more than a bit of Alpha in her.

I really admire her. She’s got a hell of a backbone. ”

Remi leaned over and hugged his mother. “Love you, Mom.”

“I love you, too.”

He got up and picked up his extra coffee and his untouched scone and pushed his chair back in.

“You going to talk to Cristie?”

“She’s still here?” he asked.

“Yes, they’re staying over for a week or two. Just visiting and all. We never get to see them. Sebastian has already headed home with Lazarus and his family, though. Something about football practice.”

Remi smiled. “I’ll talk to them later.”

“Want to talk to Delilah or Maverik first?” she asked. “I can call them over if you don’t want to go over there. I can advise you all day long on affairs of the heart, but I only know about mates what I’ve learned through my own experiences.”

“I think you know more than most, Mom. Thanks for talking to me.”

“Always.”

“I’ll see you later. I’m going to go home and spend some time with me for a little while.”

“I love you, baby,” she said, standing up to kiss his cheek. “Remember, whatever you do, do it with your heart, and you’ll make the right choice. Trust your soul to know better than your head.”

He nodded. “I love you.” He hugged her again, then left with his cardboard tray in his hand with his extra coffee and his scone still in it.

Remi walked out of his mother’s house and got in his car. He backed out and allowed his vehicle to idle away from his mother’s house. Out of the corner of his eye he caught movement and turned to see what it was.

Cristie was hurrying toward his car, waving her arms and smiling brightly at him.

Remi stepped on the brake, bringing the car to a stop and rolled down the window. “Morning,” he said.

“Morning, Remi! I thought that was your car.”

“Yeah, just stopped to see my mom for a little while.”

“That’s sweet. I always admired the relationship the two of you have.”

“Thanks. She’s the best mom.”

“Aunt Avaleigh is very, very special. She makes everyone feel loved.”

“Yeah, she does.”

“So, what are your plans for the day?”

“Oh, I have to get going. I have a few things to see to.”

“Oh, yeah. Okay. Well maybe we can get together to hang out before we leave.”

“Yes, definitely. That sounds good. When are y’all leaving?”

“No definite date. Just a week or two. Playing it by ear.”

“Alright, okay. We’ll definitely get together before then. I just have some work I need to take care of today. You know how it is.”

“Yeah, sure do. I’ll see you later,” she said, backing up a couple of steps from the car, her smile not quite so bright anymore.

“Oh, wait!” Remi said, as his gaze picked up the scone and extra coffee cup. “Here, you take these. I’ve already had so much!”

“No, that’s okay. I’m good.”

“Take them, Cristie. I want you to have them. It’s a raspberry scone and a cup of fresh coffee. But it’s black. You’ll need to add creamer and sugar probably.”

“No, you keep them,” she said, her hands clasped in front of her as she waited for him to drive away.

Remi put the car in park and got out, taking the coffee and scone with him.

He held them out to her, even pursuing her a few more steps back as she avoided him.

Finally he shoved them at her. “Cristie, you don’t understand this, but I really, really need you to take these.

I need you to have these so I know you’ve had breakfast.”

Cristie canted her head slightly and looked at him, realizing finally what he was doing. “Thank you,” she said, taking the items from him.

“You’re welcome.” He stood there, looking down at her, his entire being focused on her, feeling her, scenting her, just sharing the same air she was breathing, and it was the single most spiritual thing he’d ever experienced.

“Don’t you have to go to work?” she asked.

“Hmm? No. I mean, yes,” he said, catching himself in his own lie. “I have some things I need to do.”

“Okay.” She lifted the scone and the coffee a little to show him. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, reaching out to lay his hand on her shoulder. The spark that ran up his arm and into his body left no doubt remaining. They both knew.

“I’ll see you later,” she said.

“Yeah, later.”

She watched as he got back in his car and looked over at her.

He put the car in drive and looked her way once more, as though he was having trouble leaving her.

“Remi?” she asked.

“Yeah?” he asked, staring into her eyes.

“I’ll only be here for a little while. After that, it’ll be too late.”

His heart lurched at the idea of not seeing her anymore at all; at the idea of waiting too long and losing any chance. But then he was overwhelmed with guilt because he was feeling what he was about Cristie, and he’d just been trying to convince Bailey that there was nothing between them. “I know.”

Cristie flashed him a quick smile then turned and went up the stairs and into Kaid’s house. She quietly closed the door behind herself and started toward the kitchen.

“Is that Remi outside?” Riley asked.

“Yes, sir.”

“How’s he doing this morning?” Riley asked.

“I’m not sure. He just lied to me, but he gave me coffee and a scone,” she answered as she walked past him and left him sitting alone in the living room.

Riley got up and went over to look out of the window, immediately seeing Remi sitting in his car, his gaze almost catatonic as he looked off down the driveway toward the highway.

Remi never even looked toward the house long enough to realize he was being watched.

Instead, he eventually lifted his foot from the brake pedal, and allowed his car to ease down the drive.

“The hell am I going to do?” he whispered, as he instinctively moved toward the only place he knew that might give him a bit of relief at the moment — his own house.

Maybe if he could hide away in his own house for long enough, he could make heads or tails of the chaos swirling in his head.