Chapter 2
TWO
Ethan
I slipped out of Storm’s stall after I finished grooming him and headed to the house with Gabriel to clean up. An unfamiliar SUV was parked next to our work truck. I peeked in the windows as I walked by, noticing it was filled to the brim with boxes. Chloe’s friend must have arrived.
We entered the kitchen to find a young boy at the table eating cookies.
His gaze was curious when it fell on us, but he just shoved another cookie in his mouth.
Mae, the elderly fox shifter who helped raise us, turned from the stove where she was stirring something in a pot.
“Chloe’s waiting for you two. She wants you to unload Hannah and Jonah’s things and move them to the cabin they’ll be staying in. ”
“Do we get a cookie first?” I sidled over to Mae, reaching for the cooling rack where the cookies were.
She batted my hand away and made a shooing gesture. “You’ll spoil your supper. Besides, I made these for our guests.”
“Aw, come on. Just one?” I shot a wink at the boy. “I’m sure Jonah won’t mind.”
Mae’s stern glare showed no signs of softening. “Not for you.”
Jonah grinned around a big bite of cookie, his eyes laughing at me. Something pinged in my brain. A familiarity I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
I heaved a dramatic sigh and pretended to pout. “Fine. Keep your cookies.”
Mae shook her head at my theatrics. “Hannah’s vehicle is unlocked. She and Chloe are at the cabin. Supper’s in an hour.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I nodded at her before turning to Gabriel. “Last one to the cabin has to muck out the stalls tomorrow.”
I pushed past him and raced down the steps to grab a box from the SUV, Gabriel on my heels.
We ran across the yard, jockeying for position.
He tried to steer me into a tree, but I dodged around it, sprinting to catch back up.
By the time we reached the cabin, I had a slight lead.
I leaped onto the porch, ignoring the steps, and barreled towards the front door—straight into someone soft and warm.
The box tumbled from my arms, a tangle of headphones and books spilling across the porch. “Whoa!” I caught her before she could fall, my hands instinctively circling her waist. The scent of vanilla and lilac wrapped around me, dizzying. My heart hammered.
Mate.
She blinked up at me, wide blue eyes startled, blonde hair to her shoulders. She was petite, with soft curves that fit perfectly in my embrace. A dimple flashed as she gave me a half-grin that didn’t quite make it to her sad eyes. “Is this how you greet everyone?”
My cheeks flushed. “Only the special ones.”
We kneeled to gather her things, hands brushing. Every touch sent a jolt through me. She paused, her gaze searching mine, as if she was experiencing it too. We both reached for the same book, and she snatched her hand away.
I looked down, raising a brow at the half-naked man on the cover, and shot her a sly grin. “Looks like an interesting book.”
She blushed, grabbing it from me and stuffing it back in the box. “Why? Do you want to borrow it?”
My voice lowered. “Only if you quiz me after. I promise to earn extra credit with my dramatic readings.”
The red in her cheeks deepened. “I—”
“I win!” Gabriel rushed past us into the cabin, putting his box down on the floor before pumping his fist in victory. “I’m going to enjoy watching you muck all the stalls tomorrow, Ethan.”
“Hey, I was here first. Those stalls are yours to clean.”
He shook his head. “You made it to the porch first. I beat you to the cabin.”
“The porch is part of the cabin.”
“Nope. The cabin starts at the door.”
Chloe exited the bedroom. “Sorry, Ethan. I agree with Gabriel. If you were racing to get the boxes to the cabin, it looks like he won.”
My mate tried to come to my rescue. “I blocked his way. He shouldn’t be penalized for saving me from falling.”
Gabriel shrugged. “Not a bad consolation prize for him, having a beautiful woman in his arms. But it doesn’t change the fact that he lost.”
I barely held back my growl at Gabriel’s words. I knew he wasn’t flirting with her, but my bear didn’t.
Chloe grinned at her friend. “Trust me, Hannah. I’m sure Ethan’s done something else to earn the job of mucking out the stalls. Might keep him out of trouble tomorrow.”
I wanted to protest Chloe’s words. I didn’t want my mate to see me as a troublemaker.
But if I said anything, I could easily imagine Chloe and Gabriel regaling Hannah with highlights of my history.
That would only make things worse for me.
So I kept my mouth shut and vowed to show her I was a worthy mate.
“If you guys will get the rest of the boxes, Hannah and I can start unpacking.” Chloe kneeled by the box Gabriel had brought in and ripped the tape off. “It would be nice if we could at least get Jonah’s room set up.”
I stilled at the mention of the young boy. Did my mate have a son? I dismissed that thought. She was too young to be Jonah’s mom. But she was obviously responsible for him. Which meant I would be responsible for him too. Was I ready for that?
Raising a child unrelated to me by blood wasn’t an issue.
Being adopted myself and raised with five older brothers, none of whom were biologically related to me, taught me that family was more than what ran through someone’s veins.
Sure, I missed my birth parents. I still had memories of my early years with them.
But my adopted family had accepted me fully, and I couldn’t imagine my life without my brothers.
Whatever Jonah’s relation to Hannah, he was as much mine as she was. I may not have expected a child to raise at my age, but he was here. However, that did mean proving to my mate I was worthy just got harder. I needed to convince her that not only was I enough for her; I was enough for him too.
Hannah
I tried to casually study the man Chloe called Ethan. His brown hair was longer on top and looked like he’d been running his fingers through it. His dark-blue T-shirt stretched tight across his broad chest, and his worn jeans fit perfectly in all the right places.
I’d gotten a good look at his rich, dark-brown eyes earlier when he caught me in his arms. His strong, muscular arms. A five o’clock shadow graced his jawline, and his lips seemed quick to curve into a grin.
Those eyes of his had immediately drawn me in, as did the scent of him.
I could smell horses and dirt, but also some masculine scent that I just knew was all him.
It wrapped around me, leaving me light-headed.
As did the brush of his skin against mine.
I blamed that for the fact I’d flirted with him. Something I never did.
Now that I had some distance from him, I knew I needed to rein in my attraction. This man was a shifter, and as I’d learned from Chloe, they had fated mates. Of course, I would fall for someone destined not to be mine. Just like all the other women in my family.
Ethan followed his brother outside, his gaze lingering on me over his shoulder. I felt it almost like a caress. I stood staring out the door longer than I should have, but luckily Chloe was busy pulling dishes out of the box she was unpacking and didn’t notice.
I carried the box Ethan had dropped into my bedroom and put the books on the small shelf next to the massive bed.
The bed covered most of the floor space and was already made up with soft blue sheets and a quilted comforter.
I called out to Chloe, “Don’t you think this bed is overkill? I could fit four of me in it.”
Laughter floated in from the living room. “Declan ordered the furniture. He said even though most guests will probably be human, shifters may come as well. And most male shifters are larger than the average human man.”
I flattened the box I’d just emptied and walked back into the main room.
A sitting area held a couch and two chairs, while a two-person table was beside a kitchenette that covered the back wall.
It wasn’t large, but I liked the coziness, enhanced by a smattering of plush rugs and billowing curtains.
Framed photos graced the walls. “Are these your work?”
Chloe glanced over from the kitchenette, where she was stacking my dishes in the cupboard. “Yes. Most of them are of the ranch. Take them down if you want to hang your own artwork.”
I shook my head. “These are gorgeous. I’ll add some family pictures, of course. I want Jonah to know his mom will always be remembered.” Tears pricked my eyes, and I cleared my throat. “And that he can always talk about her.”
Chloe quickly crossed over to me, wrapping me in her arms. “I know I’ve said it before, Hannah, but I’m so sorry for your loss. If there’s anything I can do to help either you or Jonah through this difficult time, please tell me.”
I focused on my breathing as I blinked back the tears. I’d been holding myself together for Jonah since the accident, and I just knew if I let the tears fall, they might never stop. And there was too much to do right now to surrender to my grief. “Thank you. I—”
“What’s wrong?”
I stepped away from Chloe as Ethan came back through the front door, Gabriel right behind him.
He tossed the box he carried onto the couch and with two long strides stood in front of me, nudging Chloe out of the way.
He grabbed my shoulders, his powerful hands gentle as he pulled me closer.
“Why are you crying?” His brows drew together as he searched my face.
Concern radiated from him, and he took a protective stance, his gaze turning suspicious as he surveyed the room.
“Whatever’s wrong, I’ll take care of it. ”
“Everything’s fine—” I barely got the words out before he responded.
“It’s not fine. You’re crying. What made you cry?” Panic filled his gaze. He narrowed his eyes at Chloe. “Did you make her cry?”
Her jaw dropped. “Calm down, Ethan. No one did anything to her.”
“Then why is she cr—”
“I swear, if you ask why she’s crying one more time, I’m going to smack you.” Chloe huffed, exasperation coloring her voice. “Leave it alone.”
“But—”
I cut him off and gestured for Chloe to stand down. “I was just thinking about my sister. Jonah’s mom. She died a few weeks ago.” My voice wobbled, but I fought for control. “It’s been hard holding it together for Jonah, and sometimes it just hits me she’s really gone.”
“I’m sorry.” He enveloped me in his arms, his hug comforting in a way I hadn’t expected.
I couldn’t resist resting my cheek against his chest and breathing his scent deeply.
He stroked my back, the warmth of his touch soothing.
It made me want to sink into him and let everything go.
My instincts told me this man would pick up the pieces after.
But I knew better than to rely on a man. Especially one who had a fated mate waiting for him.
I pulled back and moved to step away, but his arms stayed securely around me, as if loathe to let me go. I pushed lightly against him, and he reluctantly loosened his hold. My eyes slid to his, intending only to stay for a second, but his gaze captured mine.
Earlier, his dark eyes had held surprise. Then laughter. Now, they seemed filled with something deeper. As if making a promise to me. But what they promised, I didn’t know.
“Hey, Ethan, give the lady some space.” Gabriel stepped closer, his hand falling onto his brother’s shoulder.
Ethan spun, shoving me behind him with a growl. “Mine!”
My muscles tightened, and I tried to step around him, but Ethan kept his body between us. Frowning, I caught a glimpse of Gabriel and saw him moving backward, his hands held up in front of him and a shocked look on his face. “Sorry, Ethan. I didn’t know.”
Ethan’s shoulders were stiff as tension radiated from him.
Despite his display of aggression toward his brother, I wasn’t scared.
But I was confused. I looked to Chloe for help, unsure what was happening, but her attention stayed focused on the man blocking me.
Her eyes widened, and her jaw hung open, as if she wanted to speak but didn’t have the words.
I reached out with a tentative hand, laying it lightly against Ethan’s back. “What’s going on?”
His shoulders rose as he took in a deep breath and relaxed into my touch.
He turned around slowly and raked his hair back with his fingers.
A light flush spread across his cheeks as he met my gaze.
He swallowed, hesitating briefly before he spoke, his voice pitched low, like he wanted only me to hear him.
“I didn’t mean for you to find out like this. ”
“Find out what?” The words came out in a whisper, and my heart raced. The certainty that something huge was about to happen nearly overwhelmed me.
“You’re my mate.”
His answer echoed through my head, sinking into me, permeating my entire being. His mate. My brain scrambled to remember everything Chloe had told me about the subject. But I couldn’t seem to grasp anything but Ethan’s words. His mate. His. It just kept going around and around.
His hopeful eyes remained fixed on me. He wanted more from me right now than I could give him. I didn’t know if I ever could. I just knew that I couldn’t think with him this close to me. Even knowing that, I still had to force the words out. “I need to be alone.”