He’d done it day-in, day-out over the past few years. The only thing he lived for was when Eliza or Gary would let it slip that Mabel was coming back to town. He’d spend so much time, planning, thinking of ways to see her, to get close to her.

Running a hand down his face, his own thoughts mocked him as he recalled the times he’d stepped in her way. Her full body pressed against his. The way he’d push her back and she’d stumble.

He’d been a giant dick, and there wasn’t a reason for it. Not really. Mabel had always been a little different. Whenever he saw her, she had her head in the clouds, an easy smile on her lips. It had pissed him off to see her so happy. Also, her size did make her different from the pack. Most of them were tall, athletic, and hard. Mabel was all curves, softness, and she wasn’t fucking tall at all. In fact, he’d even seen her jump up to see the stage in front to listen to his father at one of the town meetings.

Now, he fucking loved everything that made her different. He craved her in ways he’d never had before. Night and day, there was no reprieve in his need for this woman. She came and went, and he needed her.

He’d turned into a … stalker when it came to Mabel.

Before his transition, he’d enjoyed his share of women. The idea of being mated had never appealed to him. As far as he was concerned, it wasn’t necessary to find a mate when there were so many women out there to taste. He was surrounded by mated couples. His dad was completely devoted to his mom, and so were all mated men. Before he’d turned completely, he’d seen it as a weakness. Now, though, he’d give anything just to have his mate look at him. To at least spend more than a couple of minutes in his company.

“I don’t have a plan,” Lucas said. “Dad wants me to keep on trying to bombard her with my company. I don’t know how to let him down gently that won’t work.” He frowned, thinking about what his father said before he left. “Do you guys know anything about a loophole within being mated? My dad said I needed to win Mabel before she figured it out.”

His friends looked confused.

Seconds passed, then Rupert clicked his fingers. “Yes, that’s it, now I remember. It has to do with mates. Under law, you’re mates. Everyone in the pack knows you are so all prospective males must bow out of the competition, right?”

“That’s not a loophole.”