Anna was excited about my idea, but Tate has no clue what I’m doing. He took me to a local craft shop so we could purchase the supplies I needed. The hours went by quickly, but I was able to get the pink on the walls. Now it’s ready for the fun stuff. I’m going to start on it first thing tomorrow when we go back to the house.
While Tate’s outside on the phone talking to a client, I search through his refrigerator and cabinets and find that he has everything I need to make spaghetti. He also has all the ingredients I need for chocolate-covered peanut butter balls too, but I’ll have to do them another time.
By the time Tate gets inside the house, the spaghetti sauce is done, and the noodles are almost ready. He walks into the kitchen with a shocked expression on his face. “Was I on the phone that long?”
I open one of the wine bottles Chase sent me for me. “Yep. But don’t worry, I was going to eat without you.”
Tate chuckles. “Hey, I’m fine with that. I appreciate you cooking.”
“No problem,” I say, taking a sip of the wine. “You sure do have a lot of food in your refrigerator.” His eyes twinkle mischievously at my comment. Pursing my lips, I stare at him, wondering what’s going on in his mind. “Do you secretly know how to cook, and you’re not telling me?”
He shrugs. “Maybe. I just never really have the time. I’m usually working from sunrise to sundown. Today is the first day I worked normal hours.”
“Why do you work so much? Is it because you’re bombarded with projects?”
His eyes freeze on mine, almost as if I caught him off guard with my question. He leans against the counter and looks away. “I guess it’s because it’s all I have. Besides the pack, work is my life.”
There’s a sadness to his tone, but what I can really sense is his need. He’s trying to hold it back. Unmated males, especially alphas, feel the need a lot more than others. When it gets really bad, it’s called the rage. Some wolves lose their minds from not finding their mates, and some get so violent there’s no other choice but for them to be put down. I don’t want to see that happen to Tate.
The noodles are done, so I drain them and put some on our plates. “I understand that, but you need to enjoy life. You have the whole world at your fingertips. I’d give anything to have the freedom you have.”
I pour the meat sauce over his noodles and hand it to him. He nods toward the back door. “Want to eat outside on the patio?” He goes to the refrigerator and pulls out a beer.
“Sure.” I fix my plate, and he opens the door for me. His backyard is gorgeous with a brick patio and pool, surrounded by twinkling lights.
“Kami put up the lights,” he informs me with a laugh. “I couldn’t say no to her.”
Grinning, I glance back at him. “I had a feeling. I do love the lights though. It’s something I would’ve done too.”
We set our plates down on the patio table. Tate waves a hand around his yard. “What else would you do out here? You’re the landscaping expert.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh, whatever. I’m not an expert. However, I do love color, and that’s what you’re missing.” His patio and pool are just there with nothing around them, no shrubberies or trees for privacy. He already has privacy with him living alone on the mountaintop, but aesthetically, his yard could use more. I get up and walk around the pool. “To create a barrier around the pool, I could plant some zebra grass. It comes in a variety of colors, so it’ll be a good contrast with the water.”
Tate leans back in his chair. “I like that. What else?”
“You could always add some Crassula and Yucca as well. They have a rich, green color, and they’re good for filling in the spaces.”
His grin widens, and it makes my heart race. “When do you want to get started?”
I walk back over to him. “You’re hiring me?”
Chuckling, he opens his beer. “If you want the job.”
“I guess it depends on if I have time,” I say, laughing. “I’m kind of busy on another job.”
He turns up his beer and sighs. “True. And you only have six days left here. It might have to wait until you come back.”
It makes me wonder if I will. There’s no telling what’s going to happen between now and the next few weeks. I focus on my spaghetti and twirl the noodles around my fork. “If I don’t get to come back, I can always tell you what you need. It’s pretty simple.” I look out at the pool. “Besides the zebra grass and the others, you could add some hydrangeas and maybe some small dwarf-sized fruit trees. That way, you’ll get fruit and color added to your yard.” I eat my bite of spaghetti, wondering what else could be done.
Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Tate staring at me. The blood races through my body, and I can feel the heat in my cheeks. When I look at him, his lips pull back slowly into a sexy smirk. “I’m glad you’re here, Faith. I’ve really enjoyed your company.”
“Likewise.”
“Where do you go next?”
I blow out a sigh. “To Ian’s.”
His smile disappears, and he looks away. “Randale’s a good guy.”
“He’s a little intense,” I say, wondering if he’ll say more. “He doesn’t seem to be as playful-natured as you and Chase.”
He snorts. “That’s because he’s not. Ian’s had to fight hard for what he has. When he was eight years old, he watched his father get defeated in combat by another wolf who became their pack's alpha. By the time he was fifteen, he’d had enough. He defeated the alpha, and no one has challenged him since.” Tate brings the beer to his lips. “I can see why he is the way he is.”
I can see it too. “I’m curious to see what it’ll be like with him next week.”
Tate sets his beer down, his gaze serious. “How did you come up with your plan anyway? Honestly, I’m shocked it’s even something you would do.”
“Why is that?”
He shrugs. “You’re an unmated royal female, Faith. Yes, Ian, Colton, Chase, and I are allies to the Teton pack, but we’re still men. You know the troubles we face, and yet, you’re here.”
Do I tell him the truth? I don’t think I’ve fully admitted it to myself. I lift my gaze to the darkening sky, finding strength within the moon and stars. I feel like I can tell Tate anything. He may not be my mate, but there’s a connection between us.
“As I said to you inside, I’d give anything to have your freedom.” I tear my gaze away from the sky to look at him. “With Killian trying to take me, my only option was to get away. Micah would never let me go alone, so I had to think of another plan. You and Chase came to mind. Cedric is a dear friend of mine, and I feel connected to you and Chase as I do with him. He’s a dear friend, and I trust him with my life.”
“And you feel that way with me?” he asks.
I nod. “I do. That’s why I knew this plan would work. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve wondered about Ian and Colton since I don’t know them that well, but I figured I’d give it a try.”
“What if you don’t like being with them?”
I’ve thought about that, and it worries me. I might be hating my plan once it’s all said and done. “I don’t know,” I answer, really not knowing what I would do.” Closing my eyes, I cover my face with my hands. “Okay, fine. You want the full truth?” When I look at him, he nods. I can feel the burn of embarrassment on my cheeks. “I was hoping to find my mate.”
Tate sits back, his gaze serious. “And you thought visiting the other packs would help?”
I shrug. “It’s a start. All I know is that he’s not in the Teton pack. If I don’t get out and meet other people, I’ll never find him.”
He focuses on his spaghetti. “I understand, Faith. You’re not the only one who thinks their mate is somewhere else.”
Silence fills the air as we finish our dinner. I look up at the moon and send up a silent prayer. If I were to pick a mate, I’d want it to be someone like Tate. Even though I feel a connection to him, it’s obvious it’s not going to happen for us. One day, I hope he finds his happiness too.