“Like what?”

“Being kind and considerate. I used to think they were weaknesses, but they’re not. My father rarely has to show his strength because everyone around him trusts him. They do not fear him.” He sighed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be talking about this.”

“It’s fine. Really. I don’t mind.” She gave his hand a gentle squeeze, trying to show him with actions that she enjoyed their talks. “So, you thought your father fought? In order to keep the peace, he just what? Punched everyone?”

“I guess I thought he just told everyone what to do and they all followed his lead. Why wouldn’t they? He is the Alpha. I’ve come to see you’ve got to have a great deal of patience. It’s what my dad has shown me and what I hope in time to show everyone here.”

“You’re turning into a good man,” she said.

“You barely know me, Mabel. You’ve spent a great deal of time apart from all of us.”

She sighed and pushed some hair off her face. “I know, but that doesn’t mean my parents didn’t tell me what was going on. They always wanted me to come back and reconcile with you. To give this a chance. I was just too stubborn.”

“Or you were hurt. I don’t like to think you stayed away out of stubbornness.”

She chuckled. “You’re right. I didn’t. I stayed away because I was hurt. I felt like I was being punished, and I couldn’t figure out what I did wrong. I’d ask how things were getting on with you. In passing. My parents said you had a rough start in the beginning. You made several mistakes, but slowly, they started to see a change in you.”

“I guess knowing who your mate is and having her run out on you to go live in a big city would do that to you. With you gone, I missed you so much. It gave me a lot of time to reflect.”

“And in all that time you didn’t think about being with anyone else?” she asked.

“Other females promised they could take the pain of your abandonment away, but I didn’t want them. I had to suffer. This was what I needed to do to survive. I never lost hope that one day I might be able to reach you. For us to be able to find some peace between us.”

They came to a stop outside her home.

“I still believe if we give each other the chance, we can find happiness.”

She stared into his eyes. She didn’t know what had changed, she just believed it. “Okay. Do you want to come in for some dinner?”

Lucas looked up at the house. “Later. I’ll go and shower and come back after?”

“I’ve got a shower upstairs.”