I walked out before the rest, hoping to find a fight outside that would help me rid myself of the tension riding my back. I wasn’t prepared for what I found.

My Mate stood less than six feet from me, smelling like warm vanilla and fresh water. I took one step forward before my mind processed that there was a problem. She was a child, a tiny thing no more than thirteen years old. Her large amber eyes seemed too big for her beautiful face, her lips were parted on an inhale. I wasn’t sure if she knew me for what I was, but I knew what she was to me. My Mate, my Luna.

The door to the pub opened behind me as my pack mates walked out. They could feel the tension rolling off of me, but none understood why I stood frozen on the sidewalk.

She recoiled when Roxanne attached herself to me. I didn’t move to push her away. I couldn’t. If I did, I didn’t think I’d be able to stop myself from picking my Mate up and dragging her back to Michigan.

Someone asks who she is. When I respond, she moved the hand that was over her lower belly to rub right above her heart. I heard Roxanne ask her name. As she opens up to answer, I smell a male and female shifter approaching and hear him call out, “Sophia.” She turns to the sound, and I do the only thing possible, I turn and leave.

If I stayed, I would take her whole family. She’s just a child, I can’t do it. We round the corner, and I stop, tell my friends to go on. No one questioned me, they know I’m in no mood to explain.

I can hear as her mother asks, “Sophie, why didn’t you come back? Are you okay, sweetheart?” I know I’ll be able to track her now that I’ve scented her, so I wait. I wait until they leave and get home before I follow.

I learn everything there is to know about Sophia Brair and her parents before leaving and meeting up with Michael. He’s the only one who knows I’ve met my Mate and neither of us understands how or why I knew it’s her before her first shift.

I have him checking our history to see if this has ever happened before. I learned that the Brairs have lived in the same house for the past thirteen years. Her father was a local doctor, and her mother works at his small practice while Sophia is in school. They seem like a close family. I had no reason to make them come with me.

When I returned to Michigan, I had to make myself not go back for her. Three years, I would give her and her family three years before I returned for her.

But I was a fool because when the time was up and I went to find my Luna, she’s gone. Gone for so long not a trace of her beautiful scent remains.