The love he has for his family is clear on his face when he speaks of them. I laugh when he tells me the big, bad Alpha slept with a small wolf stuffed animal in his bed until he was twelve. He’s been the Alpha for eight years but seems sad lately.

We’ve both been quiet for awhile watching television. I know it’s late, and he’s getting ready to go, so I muster up the courage to ask the one question I think I’ll get the most answers from. “Hey, Sniffer, can I ask you another question?”

“You just did.” Cheeky boy. He rolls his hand with the get on with it gesture.

“Mates, my parents were Mates, but I don’t know much more. Why would a Mate not claim his? What happens to...”

“No,” he says, shaking his head. “That doesn’t happen. Ever!”

“Never?”

“Never.”

“I hate to break it to you, but it does happen. I know it happens. It happened to me.”

He eyes me like I’m crazy. “You must be mistaken. How do you know he was your Mate?”

“It was years ago, but believe me, there is no mistaking it. You know.”

“That just doesn’t happen. Mates are considered a blessing. I don’t know why he didn’t claim you. Was he human?”

“Definitely not,” I say with certainty.

“Will you tell me what happened? Maybe you misunderstood.”

I didn’t. I know I didn’t, but I’ll tell him. “It’s simple, really. He walked out of a pub and time stopped. I knew he was mine. We just stared at each other for what felt like years, but I’m sure it was just seconds. His friends and girlfriend, I’m assuming by the way she acted, asked who I was. He said, ‘no one.’ He turned around and walked away, never once looking back.”

His mouth is hanging open when I finish. Shock written all over his face. “He said that,” comes out more like a growl.

I nod my head and whisper, “Yes. I always thought he’d come back for me. He didn’t.” My worst fear slips out without my permission. “Do you think there’s something wrong with me?” My eyes are glossy, but I will not cry. I have cried enough for two lifetimes.

He shakes his head slowly. “No love, I know there is nothing wrong with you,” he says gently.

CHAPTER 4

My new friend and I make plans to meet for lunch the following day. I have a break in my schedule from noon until two, and his lunch break is at one. So we plan to meet up at the student union.

I’m up early so I spend a little extra time getting ready. My hair is a little frizzy from the humidity, but I manage to tame it. I’ll bring a hair tie in case it poofs later. A little bronzer so my freckles don’t stand out too much, mascara, lip gloss, and I’m done. It’s still pretty warm so I grab a white tank top to wear with my favorite faded jeans.