I never thought I’d want someone as bad as I want Faith. Ever since she came to my home, she’s all I’ve been able to think about. What’s fucked up is that I shouldn’t be having these thoughts about her. She’s not my mate. The only time I can think of something else is when I’m working. That’s why I made it a point to get to our job early. Faith is in the nursery, and I’m across the house with Anson, replacing the flooring. It’s been hours, and we’re almost done, which means the second I see Faith, all of the feelings I have for her will hit me once more.
“So … I was thinking.”
I grab up the last of my tools and look over at Anson. “Thinking about what?”
Anson clears his throat and nods toward the door, keeping his voice low. “Let’s go outside.” I walk past him, and he follows me out to the truck. Whatever he has to say, I guess he doesn’t want Faith hearing.
When we get outside, I place all of my tools in the back of the truck. “What’s going on?” I ask.
Anson glances back at the house and then at me. “I think you should tell the pack Faith is here.”
The words hell no are on the tip of my tongue, but I hold them back. A sense of protectiveness overwhelms me, and I can’t shake it. It’s something I’ve never felt before. I don’t want Faith anywhere near the men in our pack.
“We’re trying to keep her hidden,” I say.
Anson nods. “I know, but what if her mate is someone in our pack. This could be their chance to find happiness.”
I shake my head. “She’s been around all of us before. It would’ve happened already.” That’s what pisses me off more than anything. Faith is an amazing woman, and it’s obvious there’s something between us. I know she feels it just as I do. I’ve known plenty of wolves who have fallen in love with humans. Unfortunately, this is a little more complicated than that.
Anson lowers his voice. “That’s not true, and you know it. It can take time.”
Anger wells up in my chest. “I said no. We’re not going to dangle her around like a piece of meat.”
“What if she’s up for it?”
Clenching my teeth, I meet his gaze. I don’t want to get angry, but I know what he wants. He wants to get close to Faith, to see if she could be his. I refuse to share her with anyone. “It’s not going to happen. End of discussion.”
Anson huffs. “Fine. I’m calling it a day.” He storms over to his truck and drives away.
I look over at the nursery window, and I can see Faith inside, smiling as she focuses on the wall. I can’t see what she’s done, but I have no doubt it’s impressive. Now that Anson’s gone, a part of me regrets how I handled our conversation. What he said was right, and I know it. The magic of the moon doesn’t always work instantaneously. My parents grew up together, and their mating signs didn’t appear until they were twenty-three years old. One night they happened to run into each other in the woods after a run, and it just happened. It seems so simple, but it’s not.
Faith moves out of sight, and it’s not long before she comes out the back door. “Hey,” she says, grinning excitedly. Her smile is so damn beautiful. It takes all I have to control my thoughts and emotions around her. I know she can sense my need at times, but it’s only because I lost my focus. It’s so hard to concentrate around her. She walks down the patio stairs and comes over to me. “The nursery’s almost done. I should have it finished tomorrow.”
I lean against my truck. “Great. I’ll have all of my stuff done too. Jason and Anna will be happy to know they can move in a few days early.”
She glances over her shoulder at the house. “I hope Anna likes what I did.”
“I’m sure she will.”
Eyes narrowed, she looks at me. “You haven’t even seen it.”
“True,” I say, laughing, “but I trust you.”
She beams. “You should. I’m not going to disappoint you.”
“I never thought you would.” I nod toward the truck. “Come on, let’s get out of here.” We get in my car and head back to my house. She’s been in my protection for three days, and I’m already dreading her leaving. I don’t know why I feel so protective of Faith when she’s not even mine.
My wolf stirs inside of me, desperate to find his mate.
Why is it we always want something we can’t have?