Omega’s Refuge (Rambling Cow Dude Ranch #1)

Chapter Sixteen

I ended up going to bed early. After my run-in with Vance, I wasn’t feeling great physically or emotionally. I just wanted to bury my head under the covers and fall into a deep sleep. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to drift off. I was too wound up worrying about the future.

I was still unsure if I should I confront Rex, or just let things lie. If I challenged him about meeting up with Vance tonight, we might get in a huge fight. Things might blow up in my face, and I’d once more be back in a vulnerable position; pregnant and alone.

But part of me really didn’t want to keep my mouth shut. I’d put up with way too much from Steve. I’d ignored my feelings and suspicions just so I could play it safe. That hadn’t worked out, so maybe it was better to challenge Rex about his relationship with Vance. But, did I have the right to say I didn’t want him hanging out with his ex-lover? Was that fair of me to ask that of him? After all, they’d know each other longer than I’d known Rex. I was the interloper

When I heard the key in the lock, my heart began to race. I glanced at the clock taking in the time of 12:30 a.m. My heart beat even faster when Rex stealthily entered the bedroom. He moved quietly, which might have simply been because he didn’t want to disturb me. But feeling paranoid, I had to wonder if he was being considerate, or hoping to avoid a confrontation because of the late hour.

I once more wrestled with whether I should pretend to be asleep, or address the things that were eating me alive. In the end I decided getting answers meant more to me than protecting my pride. I sat up and turned on the bedside light, and he froze near the closet.

“You’re awake,” he said, looking surprised. “I’m sorry. Did I wake you? I tried to be quiet.”

“I was already awake.” I studied him, searching for any sign of shame or deceit. I didn’t see anything, but for all I knew he was a great liar. I barely knew him, which was part of the problem.

“Sorry I’m so late.” He smiled at me, but when I didn’t smile back, he frowned. “Are you upset with me?”

I wasn’t comfortable being too surly or accusing him of cheating on me. I opted for a more passive approach to figure out what he’d been up to. “You’re a lot later than I thought you’d be.” I made sure my tone was neutral. “I expected you way earlier.”

He sighed and began unbuttoning his shirt. “Yeah, I know. I’m really sorry. I planned on getting back much sooner. The guests are a lively group and they didn’t want to go to bed. At least they all get along, which is a relief.” He glanced at me. “How was your evening?”

“Fine. Boring, actually.” I gripped the sheets, wishing I had the nerve to outright ask him if he’d seen Vance tonight. But I was terrified he’d tell me he had, and then I’d have to contend with all the feelings of jealousy that would bring up in me.

“I truly am sorry I wasn’t here earlier.” He moved closer, his gaze apologetic.

“You were tending to the guest’s needs.” My voice was stiff. “It wasn’t like you were off galivanting, right?”

Right?

He didn’t directly respond to my question, instead he shrugged and pulled off his shirt. “They’re night owls and I wanted to keep them happy. Catering to the guest’s needs is part of the service we provide.”

“Of course. I remember what great customer service you give.”

He laughed, looking a little confused. “We do our best.”

“Uh, huh.”

He tilted his head, looking like he wanted to say something, but he just turned away and tossed his shirt into the laundry basket. He went into the bathroom and spent the next ten minutes washing up. When he returned, he wore only his underwear. His muscular body took my breath away, and I could see his half-hard dick through the thin cotton material of his briefs.

He'd probably expect sex. After all, it was our first night together in our new home. We were supposed to be starting a new life together. He was supposed to claim me and be my alpha. And while the idea of that made my cock throb, I was so confused about what to think, I felt sick to my stomach with stress.

For all I know he already fucked Vance tonight.

The thought of that was repugnant to me. But since I had no idea if he’d actually even seen Vance, it would be weird if I rejected his advances. He didn’t know I was freaking out after talking to Vance. Unless Vance had told him he’d run into me today. Would Vance have mentioned that to him?

As those tumultuous thoughts raced through my head, Rex studied me. He’d hesitated about climbing into the bed, instead opting to stand next to the mattress, watching me with a funny expression. I had no clue what he was thinking. Maybe he didn’t want sex after all, and he was trying to think up excuses about why he wasn’t in the mood.

Maybe he’s trying to figure out how to tell me he’s changed his mind about claiming me.

I held his enigmatic gaze and my breathing picked up. I’d have killed to know his expressions better, then maybe I’d have known what he was about to say. Had he met with Vance and realized his feelings for the other omega were stronger than he’d originally thought? My chest felt tight as paranoia snaked through me. Steve had made so many promises, purely because he hadn’t wanted anyone else to have me. Was that what Rex had done, but now he regretted that?

Why had I taken him up on his offer? He probably hadn’t really expected me to. I felt light headed as I held his gaze, and anxiety washed through me when my chest constricted even more. Perspiration broke out on my face as I struggled to get a full breath. When he’d asked me to be his omega, he’d probably been overcome with pity for me. But now, he’d had time to think things over and he’d realized what an insane plan it was to claim an omega he barely knew.

“I’m sorry, Tanner,” he said softly, watching me intently.

“You’re sorry?” I asked hoarsely, still struggling to breathe. “Why are you sorry?”

“Because I let you down. I… I didn’t mean to hurt you.” He watched me like I was a bomb about to detonate. “I planned on being with you, but it just didn’t work out.”

So I was right? He’s changed his mind about being my alpha, and now he feels sorry for me?

“I didn’t ask you to claim me,” I rasped. “That was your idea. I’d never have asked you to do that. ”

“I… I know that.” He frowned. “I wanted to help you.”

“But now you don’t?”

He screwed up his face. “What?”

“I don’t understand why you’d lead me on,” I mumbled, trying desperately to control my roiling emotions. I felt foolish. I’d accepted his offer of help like a sap, and now he wanted out. “Why would you do that to me, Rex? You… you know what I’ve been through.”

He blinked at me, looking muddled. “Lead you on? How did I lead you on?”

“By making promises you couldn’t keep.”

He blinked at me. “I mean, I didn’t really promise you anything.”

“Of course you did. God, Rex, don’t lie to my face. I don’t need that shit right now.”

“Tanner—”

“The least you can do is show me respect by being honest with me.” I threw back the covers, getting out of bed.

Looking puzzled, he wrinkled his brow. “I am being honest.”

“I’m so stupid ,” I rasped. My legs were shaky and my breathing was even worse now. What the hell was I going to do now? I steadied myself on the nightstand, glaring at him. “I… I should never have accepted your offer.”

“Don’t say that.” He took a step toward me. “Tanner, it’s going to be okay. ”

“Yeah?” I wheezed. “You always say that but nothing is going to be okay, Rex. I’m fucked. You got my hopes up, and then you let me down just like every other alpha I’ve ever known.”

He gritted his teeth and moved closer. “I’m sorry, Tanner. I didn’t realize it would upset you this much. I didn’t think you’d care. I feel awful.”

“You feel awful? You didn’t think it would upset me?” I growled. “Of course I’m upset, Rex.”

He winced. “But, you know the rules. I… I can’t go to bed until all the guests go to bed.”

I scowled at him. “What are you talking about? What does this have to do with the guests?”

He squinted at me. “I left you alone all evening because of them, and your upset with me.”

Confusion rippled through me. “No, you left me alone because of Vance.”

“Vance?” He squinted at me. “What does he have to do with anything?”

I blinked at him. “You can drop the innocent act. He told me about your date .”

“My date?” He cocked his head, looking bewildered. “Tanner, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I haven’t seen Vance since the first night you and I slept together.”

Uncertainty nudged me because he sounded so sincere. “No… Vance… Vance said you were meeting him for drinks tonight. ”

“Vance said that?” Now he looked and sounded angry.

“Yes.” I sat on the edge of the bed because my legs were shaking so bad. I pressed my tight chest, feeling a rush of anxiety. I was having trouble getting full breaths, and finally realized I was having a panic attack.

“Tanner, if he said that, he lied . I didn’t see him tonight.”

His voice seemed so far away. Was he lying? Was Vance Lying? Anxiety jolted through me as my chest constricted even more. “Shit, I… I can’t breathe.”

Rex was beside me in an instant. “Put your head between your knees, Tanner.” His hand rested lightly on the back of my neck. “You look like you’re about to pass out.”

“Yeah. I… I think I am.” I did as he said, struggling to suck in air. Little stars flashed on the side of my vision as I fought to remain conscious. I felt nauseous, and even though I was suspicious of Rex, the sound of his deep, rumbling voice and the touch of his hand on my skin began to calm me. Instinctively, my inner omega responded to his alpha energy.

He rubbed my back gently as my breathing slowly returned to normal. My stomach was still unsettled, but the horrible panic was ebbing away. Once my breathing was under control, he had me lie down. He moved around to the other side of the bed, and he joined me. He curled around me, wrapping me in his arms.

My eyes burned with unshed tears because it felt so good to be in his arms. I didn’t know what to think or what to believe, but his arms calmed me. He pressed his warm lips to the back of my neck, and a sense of peace washed through me.

“I wasn’t with Vance tonight, I swear,” he said softly.

I wanted to believe him, but Vance had seemed so confident earlier today when he tossed out that stuff about meeting up with Rex. “He said you were. Why would he lie?”

“You know why,” he said harshly. “He wants to cause trouble between us, Tanner. You must see that?”

“Or maybe he’s telling the truth,” I mumbled, “and you’re the one who’s lying.”

“Do you really believe that?” He sounded hurt. “Why would you believe Vance over me? Have I done anything to make you doubt my loyalty to you?”

“How would I know?”

He sighed. “Tanner, come on. This isn’t fair. I haven’t done a damn thing wrong. I don’t want Vance. I know that, deep down, you know that’s true. I just want to protect and take care of you and the baby.”

His sincerity washed over me and guilt nudged me. “But what if you’re lying? ”

His arms tightened. “I’m not lying,” he whispered against my ear. “I’m not letting you blow up what we have with each other because of some lie Vance told you. You’re just scared. It’s okay, Tanner.”

I mumbled, “You feel sorry for me, don’t you?”

“Hell, no.” He laughed gruffly. “I don’t feel sorry for you at all.”

I frowned. “If you didn’t change your mind about being with me, why’d you say you let me down earlier?”

He sighed. “Because I wanted to spend our first night in our new place together , but I couldn’t get away from the guests any sooner. I felt like I let you down. You had to spend the whole evening alone. But I swear I wasn’t with Vance. I have no interest in Vance, not romantically or any other way.”

Could that be true? My heart ached because I wanted it to be. I wanted Rex to be the man I believed he was. “If… if Vance isn’t special to you, why do you have a photo of you two mixed in with your family photos?”

He hesitated. “I have a photo of me and Vance?”

“Yes. In your little box thing,” I mumbled.

He sat up on his elbow. “If there’s a photo of Vance and me, I don’t know how it got in that box. When I was grabbing my stuff from my cabin I tossed a stack of photos in there. Maybe that’s how it got in the box? But to be honest, I don’t remember even having a photo of me and Vance together.”

“Well, it’s there,” I grumbled. “I saw it with my own eyes. You looked awful cozy too.”

He grunted. “I’m happy to toss it or burn it. It means nothing to me, Tanner.”

I turned my head, giving him a suspicious glance. “And I’m supposed to just believe that?”

“I would hope so.” He frowned. “I’m telling the truth. I swear I don’t give a damn about Vance or that photo.”

He sounded so vehement, it was hard not to believe him. I rolled over to face him. “You promise ?”

“Of course.” He grimaced. “Do you want me to go tear it up right now? Shall I get the aim and flame? I will. Just give me the word, and it’ll go up in smoke.” He started to move away off the bed. “I’m going to go get that photo right now and burn it right in front of you.”

I grabbed his arm, laughing gruffly. “There’s no need to do that.”

He sat back down on the edge of the bed, studying me. “There is if you don’t believe me. I swear that photo means nothing to me. Vance means nothing to me.” He swallowed hard. “But you do, Tanner. You mean plenty, and it hurts that you don’t know that. ”

“I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “I’m just scared to trust anyone.”

Empathy shifted through his gaze. “Yeah.” He reached out and touched my cheek. “ I’m sorry. I should be more understanding.”

I winced, feeling sheepish. “No, you’ve been plenty understanding. I… I overreacted because Vance got under my skin.”

He scowled. “He had no right to interfere. I promise you, I was never serious about him. I never told him we had a future.” He lifted one shoulder. “We were just… convenient for each other.”

I clenched my jaw, disliking the idea of them being convenient for each other. It brought up images I preferred not to have in my mind. “This situation is bringing out all my insecurities,” I admitted.

"You don’t need to feel insecure. I’m happy about claiming you and helping raise the baby. This isn’t just me doing you a favor, Tanner. We’re both giving each other what we want and need. There’s no reason to doubt that.”

His blue eyes were so earnest, it was impossible not to believe him. A sense of relief rippled through me as I realized I’d been tricked by Vance, not Rex. Rex was exactly who I’d thought he was.

“Are you still upset?” he asked .

“No. I can’t help feeling paranoid after what Steve did. That’s why Vance got under my skin. But I… I should have trusted you, not him.”

“You been through a lot. I understand.”

I was relieved he wasn’t holding a grudge, and I patted the bed next to me. “Come closer.”

“You sure? I can sleep on the couch if you want.”

“No, I don’t want that. I want you here with me.” I sighed. “I’m really sorry I got so upset.”

“It’s okay.” He scooted closer, slipping his arms around me. “I wanted to come home to you, I promise.”

“Okay.” I buried my face in his chest, inhaling his scent as a sense of peace washed through me. I needed to trust him. I had to trust he knew what he wanted. If I kept freaking out every few days, he’d lose patience with me. “I’ll do better,” I said softly.

“Don’t stress out about things, okay? We’re going to be great together.” He leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to my lips. His gaze held mine as he added softly, “But know this, Tanner—I’m on your side. I’ll never hurt you, at least not on purpose.”

I winced. “You shouldn’t be so nice to me. You should be mad at me. I… I accused you of cheating on me with zero proof.”

“So what? I’m a big boy. I can take it.” He smiled. “You’re not going to drive me away, and the sooner you accept that, the sooner you can relax. I’m your alpha now, Tanner, or I will be once I claim you. You need to understand you’re the omega I want. You can trust that. I promise.”

“How can you be so sure?” I whispered.

“I just am.”

Emotions I barely understood surged inside of me. While I was afraid of getting hurt again, my instincts told me Rex was sharing how he really felt. A blind man could see that Rex was good. Loyal. Everything I wanted in an alpha. If I wasn’t careful, I’d drive him away. Despite his words that he’d never leave, he might if I continued to mistrust him and accuse him of things.

At the thought of losing Rex, a horrible feeling of desolation washed through me. It was more than just the fear of being alone, or without an alpha. It was the very thought of not having Rex that filled me with a sense of dread.

I turned in his arms and my mouth found his. I could feel his surprise, but he kissed me back, groaning when I pushed my tongue into his mouth. I needed him to know how much he meant to me—how much I appreciated him. I couldn’t bear losing him, simply because I was timid about trusting again.

“Claim me,” I whispered against his mouth. “Please, claim me now. Tonight. I don’t want to wait another day. ”

“Don’t tempt me unless you mean it,” he rumbled, excitement glittering in his eyes.

“I want to be yours,” I whimpered. “For real.” The curtains near the bed were half open, allowing the full moon to bathe the room and bed with a soft silvery light.

My need for him coursed through me, warm and aching. If he claimed me, then I’d feel more secure. I was sure of it. I needed to truly belong to him, then perhaps I could trust this thing between us.

I moaned and wound my arms around his waist, inhaling his alpha scent. I could literally feel the pull of the moon on me tonight. The white light seared into my eyes and skin, coaxing long buried instincts to life.

“You truly want me as your alpha?” His voice was thick with lust and anticipation.

“Please,” I whined, rubbing against him and feeling feverish. I felt out of control and disconnected from my human side. I’d never experienced anything like it. I needed his bite like I needed oxygen. It was difficult to think logically as my inner wolf bristled to life deep inside of me. I’d never been so aware of that part of myself. My wolf stirred, guiding me with an ancient instinct I couldn’t logically grasp, but felt deep in my bones. “If you want to be my alpha, give me your bite. ”

“Don’t think I won’t do it,” he said under his breath. His eyes were that weird yellow-blue again, and he looked like a ravenous wolf. A low growl began deep in his throat, and chills went through me. “Once I start, I’ll take all that I want. You won’t be able to back out halfway or stop me, Tanner.”

Goosebumps prickled my skin as I stared into his eyes, and a weird purring started in my chest. I hissed, “I’d rather die than stop you.”

A weird smile split his lips. “Good.”

I sighed, rubbing against him. My body felt on fire, and there was an intense aching between my legs. I’d seen cats in heat before, mewling and rolling on the ground. I wasn’t far from that feverish behavior. Instinct was controlling me.

Eyes pinned on me, Rex shed his underwear. “Get naked, and spread your thighs for me.”

Unable to stop the sound, a whine broke from my lips. I slipped my boxers off, and obediently spread my thighs, more goosebumps breaking out over my flesh. My insides felt hot and empty, and the most painful ache consumed me. My body began to tremble as fear and excitement enveloped me. Something primal had taken possession of me, and while I was feverish with lust, but also confusion, there was no turning back.

Rex pulled me close, sniffing the skin of my neck, and licking his tongue over Steve’s scarred over bite. I whimpered, excitement shooting through me when I also felt the scrape of his teeth. Slick pulsed from my ass, and he growled, inhaling my musky scent. I felt like I was losing my mind as he settled between my legs.

He's going to do it.

I panted, exhilarated at what was happening, even as terror rippled through me. The claiming was painful. Excruciatingly so. But I wanted his bite more than I feared it. I wanted to truly belong to him. I’d known better than to trust Steve, but I’d done it anyway. Rex was different. I knew that if he claimed me, he’d wouldn’t just leave me and my child. He’d be a loyal and selfless alpha.

“Do you accept me as your alpha?” he hissed, his eyes so bright I could barely look straight into them.

“Yes,” I whispered, my heart beating fast enough to make me breathless.

“Then I claim you as my omega,” he rumbled, pressing the bare head of his cock to my hole. “For all eternity.”

“Alpha,” I cried out as more slick poured from my body, and my lust ravaged me. “Oh, God,” I whispered, opening my thighs wider and digging my nails into his muscular ass.

With a growl he sank his teeth into my flesh, and I opened my mouth in a silent scream of agony. The moon seemed to blaze even brighter as pain seared through my neck and upper torso. My body began to shake uncontrollably, and my eyes rolled up in my head. His big hands held my thighs wide and he pushed his thick cock deep inside my shuddering body.

The pain and pleasure that jolted through me was unbearable. I climaxed instantly on his dick, and the pleasure was so intense, a second later I blacked out. When I came to, Rex was moving inside of me slow and deep, our cum smeared stomachs rubbing together. I was washed in pain and ecstasy, moaning loudly as my body undulated in rhythm to his.

He watched me closely, his expression feral. “Mine,” he growled, his teeth smeared with blood. “Only mine.”

“Yes,” I moaned. My neck throbbed painfully, but my fear was gone. His eyes were a beautiful gold now, and I felt as if I was basking in the sun as he watched me possessively. I was drenched in lust and the unrepentant desire to please my alpha. He’d given me his bite, and I’d rather have died than disappoint him. “More. More.”

He shivered and licked his lips, his thrusts deeper and harder now. He impaled me over and over, and I was delirious with lust. I held him tight, meeting his thrusts, pushing down harder so he’d go deeper still. I whimpered and writhed beneath him, drowning in my alpha’s insatiable appetite .

He gritted his teeth, looking ravenous as he stared down at me. I moaned and tensed my hole on his thick cock. He groaned and shuddered, his expression pure ecstasy. He pumped in and out of me, his shaft growing in size with every salacious thrust of his hips. I was stretched wide around his bare dick, but nothing mattered but pleasing him. I trembled as the friction began to draw me closer to another orgasm.

His lips parted and his pupils dilated as his cock swelled even bigger. He pushed up on his arms, his muscles bulging as he held himself up. The muscles of his neck were distended, and sweat gleamed on his naked torso. The moment was primal and exhilarating. The memory of Steve’s claiming paled in comparison, seeming passionless and feeble. Rex wasn’t just performing a ritual, he was taking possession of me, body and soul.

Nothing had ever felt so right. It didn’t matter that Rex and I hadn’t known each other long. In my soul, I felt as if we’d always known each other. I belonged to Rex and he belonged to me. He took my mouth hungrily, and I responded with abandon. I was consumed by his musky alpha scent, and the sheer taste of him. This was what it was like to be truly claimed. Truly possessed.

We belong together. We belong together. We belong together .

Those words throbbed through my brain as he pounded his cock inside my aching body. I was on the verge of coming again, and could tell from the rosy flush of his skin, and the wild look in his golden eyes that he was too. He was losing control in the most primitive, yet beautiful way.

He lowered his head and suckled and nibbled the damaged flesh of my throat. He was doing his best to eradicate Steve’s bite. He couldn’t help himself. The mark of another alpha was insulting to him. Aggravating. While Rex’s obsession to obliterate Steve’s mark was painful, I’d have suffered anything to have Steve’s bite gone, replaced by Rex’s.

At one point, Rex’s head snapped back and his thrusts became rough and uncoordinated. He growled and raised up on his arms again, arching his back. He froze as his muscles seized, and he let loose a primal roar that sent chills down my spine.

I once more climaxed as he spilled his hot seed deep into my womb. My eyes rolled up in my head as my cock spit cum between our heaving stomachs. Every inch of me trembled as he thrust through his climax. He gnashed his teeth, growling and snarling like a wild beast as he took possession of me.

He fucked me deep and hard until his cock began to slowly soften. But the claiming wasn’t over yet. His knot began to form, and I cried out as it stretched me wide. Steve had knotted me before, but Rex’s knot was bigger and the size took me by surprise.

I whined, forcing myself to accept his knot, and he softly kissed my eyes and my mouth, whispering everything was okay. I couldn’t help but trust him, and while the pain was excruciating, it was also intensely erotic. His knot was hard and hot inside my womb, and I came twice as it grew inside my body. All I could do was pant, and climax, pant and climax, accepting my alpha’s huge knot expanding inside me.

As the fever calmed, Rex held me close and the strange purring began again deep in my chest. I’d never felt more satiated or content. I trusted Rex completely. An hour passed with me stuffed full of his throbbing knot. When at long last the knot began to recede, we kissed and I clung to him. I felt connected to him in a way I’d never felt with Steve.

He pulled out of me and lay down beside me. He kept one possessive hand on my thigh. We didn’t speak for a while. We were simply content to recover from the claiming, our skin touching.

After a bit, he turned to look at me. “You belong to me now,” he said quietly. “And I belong to you.”

My eyes stung at his husky, heartfelt words. “Yes.”

He pulled me over, slipping his arm around my waist and nuzzling my hair. “I’m happy. ”

I smiled because he truly did sound happy. “Me too.” I listened to the thump of his heart beneath my ear. “This feels right. Even though we haven’t known each other long, it feels perfect.”

He didn’t respond with words, he simply laughed softly.

I glanced up at him. “Why are you laughing?”

He sighed. “Because.”

“Because why ?” I smiled, kissing the warm skin of his chest. “Your feelings never waver. You’ve always been steadfast in your pursuit of me. Even when I planned on going back to Billings, you still didn’t back off.”

“No.” He shrugged. “I couldn’t.”

“Of course you could .”

“Nope.” His voice was firm. “That was never an option.”

I sat up on one elbow, studying him. There was an obstinate set to his mouth as he held my curious gaze. “Why do you say things like that?”

“Because it’s the truth.”

I narrowed my eyes. “But, of course we both had a choice .”

He hesitated. “I don’t think we did, Tanner.”

“What are you talking about?”

He stared at me for a few seconds, then he sat up. I did the same and we sat facing each other. His expression was solemn and he made no move to touch me.

“Why do you look so serious?” I asked .

He grimaced. “I’m afraid you’ll think I’m nuts if I tell you my true thoughts.”

“Why would I mind hearing what you really think?”

“Because it’ll sound crazy to you. You’ve already told me before that you don’t believe in fate.”

“I did say that, that’s true.”

He hung his head. “To be honest, I didn’t either.” He peeked up at me warily. “Not until I met you.”

My pulse picked up. “What does that mean?”

He rubbed his jaw. “Minute I laid eyes on you, something seemed to come alive inside of me. I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I felt obsessed.”

I’d had trouble getting Rex off my mind as well. I’d been consumed with thoughts of him. I’d been guilty about it because I’d been with Steve at the time, but unable to stop the feelings. Once Steve had run off with Tony, my heart had healed remarkably fast. I’d barely thought of Steve once Rex began to truly pursue me.

“What exactly are you saying, Rex?” I asked quietly.

A muscle worked in his tanned cheek. He avoided my gaze at first, but then he lifted his eyes to mine. “I believe we’re fated mates, Tanner, and I think I can prove it.”