It’s Tuesday, three days before Christmas Eve, and four days until the full moon. I can’t believe it’s going to come on Christmas Day. With my love of the holiday, it would be perfect to celebrate by bonding with my true mate.
Zayne was there in the woods on Saturday night. Or at least, I think it was him. Early Sunday morning, I went out in the woods and found a set of wolf tracks. There was no scent around, and only a royal can do that. He’s the only unmated royal male in the pack at the moment. Not unless there’s another one lurking about that I don’t know of.
My phone beeps with an incoming text, but my hands are too messy to touch my phone. So instead, I use my pinky knuckle to swipe my screen and see who it is.
Kami: I just got done with training. Can I come over?
Still using my knuckle, I text back without any mistakes.
Me: Sure.
I get back to rolling out my sugar cookie dough on the wax paper. Once it’s smooth and floured, I use my cookie cutters to cut out shapes. With everything going on, I decided I needed a distraction. So other than reading, baking is my other outlet to destress.
After washing the cookie dough off my hands, I place the cookies in the oven and set the timer. By the time Kami gets here, I should have some fresh ones for her along with the five dozen I already have on the kitchen counter.
Taking my phone, I move over to the kitchen table and sit down. It’s been three days since the night I ran to the lake, and I’ve heard nothing from Zayne. I called and texted him several times. I’m hoping with Kami coming over, I can ask her if she’s spoken to him. I don’t know what to do.
Knowing Kami’s about to arrive, I step outside and sit on the porch swing, rocking back and forth. A few minutes later, she pulls into my driveway and waves.
I stand and wait for her by the stairs. “Hey,” I call out as she opens her Jeep door.
When she gets out, she’s dressed in black pants and a black T-shirt with her FBI badge at her waistband. “Hey, yourself. Something smells good out here.”
I wave her closer. “I got a little carried away with the cookies. You need to take some home.”
She laughs. “You don’t have to tell me twice.”
By the time we get inside, the timer buzzes. Slipping on the oven mitt, I take out the last dozen cookies so they can cool—Kami peers around at all the sweets and whistles. “If I remember correctly, you only cook like this when you’re stressed. What’s going on?”
I take off the mitt and toss it on the counter. “I’ll give you a hint. He’s a royal.”
Kami’s lips pull back slyly. “Yeah, I figured. I heard about the kiss.”
With a heavy sigh, I run my hands over my face. “Did Tyla tell you?”
When I look at her, she shakes her head. “Nope. Colin went to see Zayne yesterday and found out from him.”
Eyes wide, I stare at her in shock. “Seriously? What did he say?”
She looks at me and then turns away. “Nothing much.”
“You’re not going to tell me, are you?”
Shrugging, she keeps her eyes on the cookies. “I think you should talk to him.”
Silence fills the air, and I continue to look at her even though she intentionally avoids me. A part of me wishes I would’ve just let her tell me what she saw in her dreams a long time ago. “Have you had any more dreams lately?”
Still averting her gaze, she reaches for a cookie and takes a bite. “No. I haven’t touched any unmated females recently. I’ve been so busy with the FBI, and when I’m at home, there’s only Colin. Once the next four weeks are over, Colin and I will be traveling again.”
“If I were to ask you to tell me what you saw in your dream about me, would you?”
With a heavy sigh, she meets my gaze. “You don’t need me to tell you, Amelie. All you have to do is follow your heart. You’re on the right path.”
“So, he is my mate,” I state. She doesn’t agree, nor does she disagree, which still doesn’t help me. There was a time when she said she would tell me if I asked. I don’t know what’s changed with her. “I had that tingly feeling the other day, but it hasn’t happened again. Zayne and I kissed, and we’ve gotten close over the past few days. I think about him all the time.” Eyes burning, I look up at the ceiling. “I know Zayne feels the mating signs, and after the other night, he hasn’t spoken to me. I feel lost. I have these strong feelings for him, but I don’t understand why I’m not feeling the bond.”
Kami takes my hands. “Look at me, Am.”
I do as she says, and she smiles sadly. “The Great Luna works in mysterious ways. I don’t know why you’re not feeling them yet, but there has to be a good reason. You have to trust that it’ll happen when it’s meant to be.”
My gaze drops to our hands. “You’re touching me, Kami. Does this mean I’ll be in your dreams tonight?”
She giggles. “Probably. But then again, I think you already know everything.”
“So, what should I do? Zayne’s not returning any of my calls.”
Her brows lift. “This is Zayne we’re talking about, Amelie. He’s known about you for a long time now, and it took him months to even speak to you. Believe me when I say that he’s never far. The man is super protective of his mate.”
A warm feeling rushes through my veins. I look out the kitchen window toward the woods. “I know,” I murmur. “I saw his tracks in the snow.”
Kami squeezes my hand, drawing my attention back to her. Her piercing gray gaze bores into mine. “Things are going to work out, Amelie. You and Zayne just need to spend more time together.” She winks and lets my hands go. “And trust me, he’s going crazy right now. He’s not going to be able to stay this far away from you for long.”
My focus averts back to the window. There’s a feeling inside of me, telling me Zayne’s out there. It’s as if I can feel his eyes on me. “I hope not, Kami. I really wish he knew how much I missed him.”
If he’s out there, I’m hoping he hears me. I need him to come back to me.