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Chapter One

Vivienne

Spearmint, leather, and newly cut grass, I murmur to myself as I move to the shelves that house the items that are on the list that Fox handed me. I’ve been in Zephyr Hills for almost six months now and know for a fact I’ve never seen or scented the male who’s currently waiting by the register area.

Mate , my wolf claims, causing me to lose my footing and stumble slightly.

“You okay?” he asks, suddenly at my side, cupping my elbow to keep me from falling on my face.

His touch momentarily stuns me. The last time anyone had their hands on me was the day I tearfully hugged my best friend goodbye then climbed into my Jeep to leave the pack I grew up in and my pending future behind. As a tactile person, I’ve missed it; my father was affectionate toward me growing up, so I’m used to being hugged. I honestly didn’t realize how much until his hand grabbed my elbow, so I didn’t faceplant.

“Yes, sorry,” I murmur, reluctantly pulling away. “So, your mate must be expecting?” I ask as I begin pulling the items off the shelf, sticking them into the pocket on the front of the apron I wear while in the store.

He chuckles and I find myself liking the sound as visions of pleasure dance in my head. I barely hold back my shiver, wanting to fall into his arms and stay there forever.

“No, I’m picking up stuff for my brothers’ mates,” he finally says. “They’re out of town and I drew the short straw.” This time, he laughs out loud, and I can’t stop the lick of desire that courses through me at the sound.

It’s dark and dangerous, but also sounds like safety. So weird .

“It’s kind of you to help your brothers,” I reply. “I was an only child.”

“They’re my MC brothers,” he gruffly states. “But better than my blood siblings ever were.”

I can hear a thread of hurt in his tone and I find myself wanting to reach out to him to soothe him. I really wish Angie was here right now because she might know the answer to the questions that are flying through my brain. I make a note to reach out to her later to get her thoughts on the situation.

“Ah, I understand,” I say, even though I have no clue whatsoever about motorcycle clubs outside what I’ve read in romance books.

“No, you don’t, sweetheart, but it’s okay. You will, I promise,” he states.

Shrugging, I finish gathering the items that are on his list and carry them over to the counter so I can make sure I haven’t forgotten anything. As I mentally go through all the products I carry that will help a woman who’s pregnant deal with some of the unpleasant aspects of that, I realize I have a few others that might help as well.

“I need to grab a few more things, Fox,” I tell him. “The list is pretty good, but I’ve compounded several herbs which might make life a bit more pleasant for these women.”

“Anything that’ll help Tressa and Nini will be great,” he says. “Because then their mates won’t be growling at everyone at every single movement.”

I snicker then quickly cover my mouth in shock. I can’t believe I just pictured these people as though I’ve met them before. Shaking my head, I pick up a bag of herbal salts and another that has a soothing balm in it and add them to the pile. “This right here is good to use during bathing, and the balm is applied like a lotion,” I tell him. “Both will allow the herbs to enter their systems and provide relief.”

“Thank the goddess,” he mutters. “I probably could’ve handled one of them being pregnant, but they’re best friends and with both of them carrying pups? I have two overly protective, growly brothers running around the clubhouse.”

“Wait until the children are born,” I advise, grinning at him. If he thinks things are bad now, he’s going to have one helluva wakeup call once they’re born.

He throws his hands up and I watch with a great deal of interest as his fingers grip his hair and he pulls while groaning out loud. “I’m getting too old for this shit,” he grumbles. “Shoulda never said yes when they voted me in as the club president. I’m not equipped to handle any of this at all.”

“What? Mated brothers or children?” I ask, suddenly curious to know everything about him and the club he’s a part of. From what little I’ve learned since moving here, the club itself kind of sticks together, but they’re protective over the town, especially the humans.

“Both,” he admits, smirking at me. “The girls are great, funny as hell actually, and they keep my brothers in line with their antics. But both Chaos and Stealth, who oversee the protection of the club and all its members, are going to extremes.”

“How so?” I ask. His words continue to pique me as I listen to him speak. I suspect he normally wouldn’t share so much and then realize if I felt the tug of the mate call, he must’ve as well. It’s the only thing I can think of because he doesn’t strike me as the type of male who would volunteer so much information to an absolute stranger.

But to his soul, you’re not a stranger, my wolf reminds me.

I would roll my eyes at her, but I can’t be rude to him, so I mentally shrug.

It’s true, she insists. He’s delicious, too .

My wolf is a hussy, obviously, taken in by a strong, muscular male with salt and pepper hair and a growly, husky voice. Although… I can’t really blame her since he’s very attractive and there are parts of me that have definitely noticed. Right now, I’m glad I have on my padded bra since my nipples are on high alert due to his proximity.

“Let me write down the instructions for these last two items,” I say, pulling a pad of paper from below the counter along with a pen. As I write, I continue, “If they have any questions, please let them know to call me.” I attach my business card to the instructions and fold it together before placing it inside of an envelope then placing it inside of the bag.

“I’m sure they will, and I’ll definitely pass that along,” he replies, handing me his credit card.

I ring up his purchases and place them in the bag with the instructions, then hand him his receipt, his card, and of course, the bag itself. “Thank you, Fox.”

I may recognize he’s my mate, but I have no clue what to do right now. I don’t want our interaction to end, but it’s not like he can hang around the store all day long.

He smirks at me as though he realizes where my thoughts have strayed and asks, “Do you have time to go and grab something to eat?”

Nodding, I grab the keys to the store and say, “Lead the way.”

Once we’re settled in the booth at the diner and have placed our orders, he looks at me and says, “You’re my mate, Vivienne.”

Well, alrighty then. He’s a take the bull by the horns type of male and I find myself liking that fact. He’s nothing like my father, but I’m reminded of him all the same since he’s got some of the few characteristics. Spirited. Headstrong. Takes initiative. Protective of those under his care. His decisiveness has me smiling in remembrance. I find myself longing to meet the women he shopped for, instinctively knowing they would likely become good friends.

“I know,” I admit. I have the knowledge of what we are to one another, but I need him to take the lead here because I’m in foreign territory when it comes to moving forward with getting to know the person predestined for you.

He sighs while reaching for my hand that’s sitting on the table. “Honestly, I never thought I’d say those words. I mean, I know we live long lives, but still, I didn’t think it would happen to me.”

“Why not?” I ask.

“Because in all this time, it seemed like something that happened to other shifters. When I started the club, none of us thought we’d find our mates, you know?” At my nod, he continues. “So, when first Chaos then Stealth found theirs, it got the rest of us thinking it might be a possibility. I just never expected to find mine in an apothecary store in my own town,” he replies.

“If it helps, I’ve only been here for about six months or so,” I tell him.

He chuckles then asks, “What brought you to Zephyr Hills?”

“Protection,” I whisper, as though the walls can hear me. While I think I’m far enough away from my former pack, I still worry that somehow, they’ll find me and the life I’ve been building will all be for naught.