“There’s no way I would make that mistake. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime bond, a connection we only get once.” He shakes his head again, his brown locks flowing side to side, a firm look in his eyes as he continues.“ A shifter would never make that mistake. Never.”

A sadness fills his eyes. “You’re mine, Rhys, and I’ve waited so long for you. Not every shifter is blessed to find their mate, but fate gave me mine. Please believe me…This bond is as real as the blood flowing in my veins and heart beating in my chest…just because I can’t show you them doesn’t mean they’re not there.” His eyes pleading me to believe him, to give him a chance. “You’ve just got to listen for it, Rhys. It’s a feeling from deep inside. It starts as a little pull, then grows into a warmth that spreads when we’re near.” He places his hand on his chest, right above his heart.

“Can you feel it?” His eyes search mine, his own filled with hope and anticipation.

I close my eyes under his eager and restless gaze. At the very least, I can do this for him, and hopefully, it would put an end to this Mate stuff.

Taking a deep breath, I try to feel for the small pull he mentioned. But feel nothing.

I take a couple more breaths, becoming more doubtful.

Suddenly his scent hits me, the woodsy smell surrounding me, and my heart picks up a beat.

And just as I’m about to open my eyes, I feel something small tug from inside. Almost thread-like, loose and not very big, but still there. The small thread glimmers, a small light flickering from it with a warmth spreading from the small strand.

It was there.

An actual link that tied us together, the start of a bond growing from that tiny cord.

I rub my chest, calming my racing heart. I never thought something like this was possible for me. You hear stories, fairy tales of beautiful romances and happy endings, but they were all in books and for everyone else. I was happy with what I already had; a family and a few close friends to call my own. I never hoped for connection like that…like this.

My eyes open and widen with the realization that I am Jace’s mate.

And he was mine.

A tender smile stretches across Jace’s face just as I feel a warmth spreading from my chest.

My breathing hitches slightly as I look into his deep amber eyes, a warmth and tenderness in them I’ve never been shown before.

His hand reaches toward me just as the door slams open and Ilyric walks in.

Jace's hand freezes as Ilyric saunters in slowly, assessing each aspect of the room in his slow promenade.

He frowns, looking around at the disheveled mess that is Isaiah's office. He comes to a halt in front of the desk and stares at Jace’s outstretched hand.

“Am I interrupting?” he questions, staring from Jace to me, his eyebrow raised, a pinched expression cut across his sculpted features. His gaze flickers between us.