Page 29 of His True Mate

“It’s okay. This is Thomas Collier.”

I was certain he didn’t miss the look of recognition I saw in her eyes.

“Collier? As in Collier Pack?”

“Yeah, sweetheart, that’s home.”

She licked her lips, and I couldn’t help but wish Thomas wasn’t here.

“You didn’t mention you were a Collier,” she said.

I frowned. “Is that a problem?”

She shook her head, making unruly curls bounce around her shoulders.

“No. That’s just a big Pack, one of the largest from what I’ve heard. And Thomas Collier, right here in your house? This is insane. You just come out at dawn for any of your wolves?”

“Well, honestly, no. Most would have to wait until business hours unless it was a true emergency.”

“And this isn’t?” I asked.

“Doubtful. He tells me you were leaving your Pack anyway. Why?”

She blushed. “Because Dane was encouraging me to mate my freaking cousin.”

“What?” Thomas asked and I chuckled.

“It’s a small Pack and there aren’t exactly many options, if you know what I mean. Several have mated with some of the carnies we travel with, but human and shifter mating doesn’t always produce a new wolf and since we don’t shift until maturity, that’s new info to Dane. He’s a little freaked out about the possible future of the Pack. I don’t fault him that, but I will not be pressured into mating anyone, especially not a blood relation. He’s lost his ever-loving mind if he thinks that’s going to happen.”

Thomas chuckled. “You’re going to have your hands full with this one.”

“That’s okay by me,” I told him proudly.

“Winnie, Clay tells me you’re his one true mate. Do you deny that?”

“No. It is what it is.”

“Do you plan to stay in Collier Pack?”

Her eyes widened and I could see the fire within her once more.

“Clay said it would be alright. If it’s not, then I’ll move on. I’m not looking for a fight, especially with the likes of Collier. That would be plain stupid and I’m no idiot.”

He looked rather amused by my mate.

“As Clay’s true mate, you are welcome in my territory for as long as you want, Winnie. We honor true mates around here and I would never do anything to keep you two apart.”

She blushed and I wished I knew what she was thinking just then. “Oh, well, okay. I’m staying then. For a while at least.”

I gritted my teeth at that last little part but tried hard not to react to it.

Thomas shook his head. “No good will come of her meeting Lily.”

I laughed. “I suspect you’re right.”

As if she was somehow aware we were talking about her, Thomas’s phone rang. The grin on his face as he answered confirmed to me it was Lily.

“Hey gorgeous. Sorry I missed breakfast. Something came up. Clay’s home. I know. Settle down, slugger. I worry about him too, but it’s not what you think. He found his mate. Yeah. I know. I expected nothing less. I’m headed into the office after this. I’ll wait. See you in a few. Sure, bring Cammie over. I’ll take her to the office with me. Mom will watch her if something comes up. Love you, too.”