I flip through the old books looking for a clue or trace of something. But there’s nothing.

Sighing, I place my hands on the dark oak desk, tired from flipping through what looked to be about twenty books and two bundles of files. Looking around the room, I sigh and flop down onto his chair.

There’s not one thread of information about the Interitus or any hints of possible future attacks here.

Just this morning, my biggest worry was Mirin selling my ass for a Cosmopolitan and a laugh. And now here we are, just hours later, an imminent attack on the way by some Dementor wannabes, with a Library full of refugees, crying and whining. All of which I have to take care of and watch over.

To top all that off, I have Jace, who believes I’m his mate.

By the looks of it, he must be a wolf shifter, golden irises being their most distinctive trait. I don’t know how the whole fated mates thing worked, only knowing that for shifters, it’s sacred. Could he mistake that? Something so important? But…how could it be me?

I’ve never even been in a proper relationship, let alone something like this. This was heavy stuff.

I found Jace attractive in every sense of the word, and his smile so bright and contagious, but did that mean I wanted a lifetime with him? I mean, we just met. I didn’t know anything about him, only a name, and that’s definitely not enough.

I drag my hand down my face, already exhausted from the day. I stare toward the old grandfather clock in the corner, the small hand already past eight, the night already approaching.

I straighten back up in the chair, reaching for the last bundle on the desk as a knock rings out on the door.

Of all the people to enter the room right now, it had to be Jace. My mind was still a mess, and confused with the whole Mate thing.

I look toward the stacks of paper in front of me as he enters the room. Peeking up, I see him beaming from ear to ear when he sees me. He closes the door behind him and walks straight over to me. Finding an empty patch on Isaiah's paper-riddled desk and props himself on it right in front of me.

“Need any help, gorgeous?” He winks, his eyes playful and keen as he gazes at me.

I shake my head, “I’ve got this, thanks.”

He hesitates for a moment, his eyes flickering to the floor before I call to him.

“Actually, Jace, I was wondering about the whole ‘Mate’ thing.” His eyes brighten, a large smile spreading across his lips.

“Is there a chance you were wrong?” His grin drops as I continue.

“I don’t know, maybe it was someone else, and I just happened to be near…” My words trail off as I look toward him, his stare intense before he shakes his head.

“Rhys, you’re my Mate.” A soft smile spreads across his lips, a tender look in his eyes.