“You should go to college and make something of yourself.”

“Wouldn’t you like to buy your family a better house?”

“Being a forest ranger is a waste of your talent. You could be so much more.”

“I can’t do this anymore. You refuse to be better. How can I be with someone who has no ambition? Who has no desire to better themselves? The answer, I can’t. You’ll always be middle class and I deserve better.”

Over two years later and I still hear his voice in my head, putting me down. I wasted three years of my life with that man thinking he loved me and maybe he did, just not the way a person deserves to be loved. It was superficial. He only wanted me for my looks. I was a trophy on his arm and when I refused to ‘better myself’ by going to college and becoming a lawyer or doctor and instead decided I wanted to keep being a forest ranger, he dropped me like a hot potato.

But I suppose that’s what I get for dating a rich older man, and a human one at that I was young and fancied myself in love. What a joke that was. Now, a year later, I can’t help wondering what I ever saw in that bastard. Maybe it was the nice things he gave me, or the fancy restaurants, or the way he made me feel special. Who knows, it’s over now, and I’ll never date another man like him again. I’m through dealing with wealthy assholes like my ex and his friends.

Every time my ex and I went to one of his friend’s parties, they always snubbed their noses at me, looking at me like I wasn’t good enough and apparently, I wasn’t. Being with Richard changed me and not in a good way. My confidence took a hit and now, I struggle with my sense of worth. Some days are better than others but most days, I feel like I’m not enough. Like I’m not worthy of being loved by someone. It’s hard to find someone who’ll love and respect me as a person and not for what I can do for them. Well, someone who isn’t my fated mate. Being a panther shifter, I grew up with the knowledge that somewhere out there is a man created just for me but I’m only twenty-seven and I don’t think I’ll meet my mate anytime soon.

Checking my watch, I stretch and step away from my desk. Grabbing my backpack, I head outside to greet the group of businessmen I’ll be leading on a hike as part of their team building exercises. It’s something we do regularly for inexperienced hikers. Having a ranger accompany a group like this means there’s less chance of one or more of them getting lost or worse. The hike takes most of the morning and by the time we get back to the ranger station, it’s midafternoon. The group of businessmen pile into their cars and leave while I head inside.

Surprisingly, the ranger station is full of rangers. Most of them aren’t even supposed to be here today. Tapping one of them on the shoulder, I say, “What’s going on?”

The guy, who I now see is one of the older rangers named Bill, says, “Apparently, some kid who won the lottery recently wants to build a resort near here. We don’t have a whole lot of details, but we’ve been made aware that the person wants to hire some of us for the place when it’s finished.”

“And what would we be doing?”

“I suppose some of the same things we’ve been doing. Educating the visitors of the resort on the wildlife, checking for traps on the land, leading hikes and whatever else they ask us to do.”

“How long until it’s finished?”

“The general consensus is it’ll be ready to open in three months, but it could be sooner. Means we have some time to decide if we want to keep our jobs here or work for some big shot.”

“So, what are we all doing here?”

“Waiting for the big shots’ lawyer.”

As soon as Bill mentions the lawyer, a man in a suit enters the station. He heads directly to the front of the room and says, “Thank you all for coming on such short notice.”

One of the rangers in the front says, “Why are we here?”

“You’re here because my client has an offer for all of you. He wants to hire every single one of you for his resort. You’ll keep your jobs as forest rangers and will have your shifts at the resort scheduled around the ones you have here. Should you accept this offer, you’ll sign a contract today and will start work as soon as the resort is finished. Your schedules will be sent to you the week before the grand opening. We look forward to working with you. Now, I’ll answer any questions you might have and then we can get to the contract signing.”

An hour later, after all questions have been answered, I sign my name on the dotted line and pray I’m not making a mistake. I’ve dealt with enough assholish rich people to last a lifetime and yet, I just signed myself up for more. On the bright side, at least if I absolutely hate it, I’m only locked into the contract for a year once the resort opens so, I can always quit when my year is up. Who knows, maybe I’ll like it. Not every person with money is going to be as awful as my ex, right? I sure hope not. Guess I’ll find out myself in three months.

Later that night, after my shift, I go to the sports bar in town to meet my friend for a drink and a bite to eat. The bar doubles as a restaurant so, the main dining area is separate from the bar area. There are tables in the bar area as well, but it’s a lot louder in there so, Vic and I usually sit in the regular dining room. Vic is the owner of the tattoo parlor down the street and has been my best friend since we were kids. Lately, every time I see him, he begs me to come work for him, but I always turn him down. It’s sort of become a long running joke. In my spare time, I paint and create sculptures out of junk metal. It started as a hobby but turned into a lucrative side business when I needed the extra income so, I could buy myself a house and get out of my parents’ garage apartment.

While I do love my art, I love being a forest ranger more which is why I’ve never taken Vic’s offer, or tried pursuing art full time. My younger sister introduced me to this website called Etsy, so I opened a store on there and started selling my finished pieces. I do take commissions but never more than three at a time. I’ve earned good money that way, since each piece is one of a kind. I never create the same thing twice. As soon as a piece is sold, I remove it from the store and put something new in its place.

Once I enter the bar, I find an empty booth and sit down, keeping an eye on the door so I can see Vic when he comes in. Since we do this at least once a week, we know each other’s preferences so, whoever arrives first usually orders the drinks. As the waitress brings over our beers, Vic walks into the bar with a baby carrier hanging from his arm. Grinning, I wave him over. When he reaches the booth, he slides the baby carrier across the seat, so it’s nestled in the corner against the wall and sits down dropping the diaper bag in between him and the carrier.

Unable to resist the movie reference, I grin at him and say, “Dude, you have a baby in a bar.”

He laughs and says, “Technically, this is the restaurant side. I’m not the only one with a kid in here. There’s a family of four right over there.”

Nodding my head towards the carrier, I say, “So, how is my little godchild?”

Vic smiles and says, “He’s doing great. Took him to the doc yesterday for a check-up and they said everything looks good.”

“Is he sleeping through the night yet?”

“Not yet.”

“That explains the massive bags under your eyes.”

“Shut up. He’s only a month old. There’s no way he’d be sleeping through the night yet.”

Laughing, I say, “So, how is it, being a single dad?”

He runs his fingers through his hair, and sighs. “It’s exhausting, but I’m happy. My parents have been helping out with babysitting, so I don’t have to worry about putting him in daycare or anything.”

“You don’t look happy right now. Is something going on?”

“Yeah. His mother.”

“Didn’t you use a surrogate?”

He nods. “I did. She signed her rights over before he was born but now, she’s trying to get custody. In theory, I know she doesn’t have a leg to stand on since she signed those papers, but she’s doing everything she can to get her way. I’ve already had child services come to my house twice and we have a court hearing in two months. She shouldn’t have a case but I’m afraid that with the CPS visits and whatever lies she decides to spin, that in the human system, she’ll win, and I’ll never see my son again.”

“There’s no way that will happen. You have a contract, right?”

“Of course, I do, when I decided to use a surrogate, I had my lawyer draw up a contract that stated she would be compensated for her time carrying the child and would have no parental rights whatsoever. When she signed the contract, and the termination papers, she no longer had any claim to Calin. I don’t know what her agenda is or why she suddenly has an interest in him, but I’m going to find out. I’ve already hired a private investigator to do some digging. Hopefully, he’ll come up with something before the court date, otherwise, the hearing could go either way.”

“I don’t think she’ll win. The contract and termination papers should swing things in your favor. Who’s the judge?”

“Judge Voska.”

Hearing that name has a grin spreading over my face. “She won’t win.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because I’ve accompanied Judge Voska and his family on hikes before. The man is a shifter who can scent lies better than any wolf.”

“So, you’re saying…”

“You have nothing to worry about. But, just in case, keep the P.I. anything he can find, will just make your case more ironclad. Enough of the heavy stuff, let’s order some food.”

He nods, and I wave the waitress over so, we can order our food. As soon as she has the order, and brings us both another beer, I say, “So, I got a new job today.”

“What are you talking about? You love being a forest ranger, why in the hell would you quit?”

“I’ll still be a forest ranger, I just got another job working as a forest guide for some rich dude’s resort.”

“Are you talking about that lottery guy?”

“Yep.”

“I thought you said you’d never associate with those types of people again.”

“I did say that. But, the way I see it, it’s a good paying job, I’ll still be doing what I love, and I won’t have to quit being a forest ranger to do it since they’ll be working around my schedule.”

“What about days off? If you’re working as both a ranger and a guide for this resort, when will you have time off?”

“Someone asked that very same question today, during the meeting with the resort owner’s lawyer. He said that since all forest rangers interested will be hired, the owner had already spoken to the ranger service and it was decided that each of us would work two days at the resort and two days at the ranger service with three days off spaced out in between work days each week.”

“Just, don’t overdo it, okay?”

“I won’t. Three days off is actually more than I’m getting now but, since the resort won’t be open for three months, I don’t have to worry about what the schedule is going to look like for a while.”

He holds up his beer and says, “Then, let’s toast, in celebration of your new job. Now, all we need to do is find you a boyfriend.”

“No thanks. I think I’ll stay unattached while I wait for my fated mate.”

“Then, at the very least, we need to get you laid.”

“Nah. My hand suits me just fine. Besides, I’m not really into the whole one-night stand thing.”

“You’re missing out.”

“So are you, what with being a single dad and all.”

He looks over at Calin, still sleeping in his carrier and grins. “He’s worth it.”

Ever since we were teenagers, Vic has always talked about what he planned to do with his life. First, he said, he’d become a tattoo artist with his own shop, then once he was established, he wanted to have kids but refused to settle down with anyone but his mate. Which is why, when the time came, he decided to use a surrogate. At twenty-two, he’s succeeded in getting everything he wanted, and I hope, this situation with the surrogate doesn’t end badly because it would devastate Vic to lose Calin.

You wouldn’t think he’d be so successful at such a young age but part of the reason why he is, is because he’d been apprenticing under a wolf shifter who was a tattoo artist ever since he turned thirteen. The man taught Vic everything he needed to know about the business so when Vic finally got his license to tattoo at eighteen the wolf shifter transferred the deed for the shop to Vic and retired. He’s been running it ever since.

When the waitress brings us our food, we settle into the familiar routine of eating and regaling each other with the week’s funniest events until it’s time to head home. I can’t afford to buy a house just yet so, I’ve been saving as much money as I can. Ever since I first learned of fated mates, my dream has always been to buy a house on some land that I could share with my mate and raise a family in. Being gay, I wasn’t sure I’d ever have a mate, but then I bumped into a true mated gay couple at the city’s equivalent of a pack run and my hopes soared. Sure, it could be a hundred years or more before I meet my fated mate, but despite that, I want to be prepared.

In order to cut out the cost of utilities and rent, I’m living in my parents’ basement. They had it turned into an apartment when my grandmother’s health started declining. Shifters can’t give or get human diseases but once we get closer to the end of our lifespan, getting things like Alzheimer’s and other issues that come with old age are a possibility. They were going to rent it out but when I told them of my plan to try and save money so I could buy myself a house they told me to use it instead.

My parents do have money, but it’s not the huge amount my ex’s family had. Since my parents are only in their hundreds they haven’t had as much time to amass a fortune like other shifters. We live simply and my ex always hated that. He wanted me to be something I’m not, to change myself to fit in with his image, but that sort of thing isn’t something someone who truly loves you would ask and once I realized it, I felt like such a fool for spending so many years with him. Yes, I was only a teenager when we met but that doesn’t excuse my naivete.

The basement has its own entrance around the side of the house so, I don’t have to go through the front and disturb my parents. I have a little sister who is the reason why my parents dye their hair to look like they’re getting older since she’s still in school and they don’t want to take her away from her friends. When I walk into the apartment, I see my sister sitting on the couch watching television.

“Layla, why aren’t you in bed? It’s way past your bedtime.”

She holds up a packet of papers and says, “I need your help with my biology assignment. I’m supposed to go out and collect samples of some of the things in this packet, get photos of the animals in their habitats, and write a report detailing my findings. Dad was going to take me into the woods this weekend, but he knows nothing about plants or wildlife. It’s due next week.”

Grinning, I ruffle her hair and say, “I’ll take you. Saturday is my day off, so we’ll go then. Now get yourself to bed little missy. You have school tomorrow.”

She sticks her tongue out at me and heads for the stairs. When she reaches the bottom step, she turns back to me and says, “Do you think you could come to my class for career day? It’s in two weeks on a Friday. I’d ask dad but I think your job is way cooler.”

“Sure. Just let me know what time.”

“Thank you.”

“No problem, little sis. Now go to bed!”

She stands on her tiptoes and I lean down so she can kiss my cheek, then she takes off up the stairs and I shake my head. She’s so full of energy I doubt she’ll be sleeping at all. Walking up the stairs after her, I lock the basement door before heading into my bathroom for a shower. I have no desire for any of my family members to see me naked outside of a run. I know my parents have seen everything I’ve got since they raised me but that doesn’t make it any less embarrassing. I also lock the door because I hate being woken before my alarm and I know if I left the door unlocked, my sister would be jumping on my bed at sunrise.

Since I also sleep naked, that’s something I want to avoid. I really need to get my own place. I’ve already got enough money for a down payment, but I hate the thought of having to get a loan. If I can wait until the resort is finished, I’ll have enough to buy a small home after the first year. With that thought in mind, I finish my shower, dry off, and climb into bed, hoping the next three months will pass quickly.

Three Months later…

Today is the official grand opening of the resort. Guests won’t start arriving until tomorrow, but all the employees were told to meet in the lobby of the main lodge because the owner would be giving a speech. We’ve been waiting for thirty minutes when the doors of the lodge open. In walks the most gorgeous young man I’ve ever seen. He’s dressed in an impeccable suit, has the face of an angel, his inky black hair is artfully styled, and he’s flanked by two large men who must be bodyguards. The man glances down at his phone and the expression on his face turns puzzled for a moment before he slips the phone back into his pocket. When he and his entourage pass by, I’m hit with the sweet scent of caramel and vanilla cookie.

My heart starts to beat faster as the panther within me whispers, “Mate,” over and over again. I feel like I can’t breathe, like the walls are closing in. It’s only when I fall to my knees that I realize I’m having a panic attack. Everything Richard ever said to me comes rushing back, crushing me with the weight of it until suddenly, it all stops. A hand gently touches my shoulder and I look up into the crystal blue eyes of my mate. He looks concerned and his voice is like a velvet caress when he says, “Are you alright?”

Nodding, I say, “I think I had a panic attack.”

“Do you need anything? Some water maybe?”

One of his guards says, “Sir, it’s time for your speech. You have a meeting with your realtor right after this and you don’t want to be late.”

The beautiful man in front of me glares at his guard before turning back to me. He smiles and holds out a hand. “Let me help you up,” then he turns to his other guard and says, “Go get a bottle of water for him.”

Taking my mate’s hand, I let him help me up. The guard he sent away returns quickly and hands me a bottle of water. I take the bottle from the guard and swallow half of it. “Feeling better?”

“I am.”

My mate grins at me and says, “Good.”

“Sir, your speech.”

My mate rolls his eyes and says, “I’m coming, don’t get your panties in a twist.”

I fight a laugh as he walks away from me and watch as he steps up on the makeshift stage that was put in the lobby for this occasion.

Leaning into the microphone he says, “Hello everyone, I’m Casper Romano and I’d like to thank you all for coming. I know for the last few months you all have been under the impression that this place is just another rich man’s resort but it’s more than that. While most of our guests will be paying customers there’s a group that won’t be. On the south side of the complex there’s a number of buildings off limits to guests and an identical set of buildings off limits to guests on the north side. The north side is living quarters for employees who wish to live here instead of commuting while the south side will be living quarters for our nonpaying guests.”

With a deep breath, he continues, “You see, when I decided to build this place, I told myself a portion of what we do here would be dedicated to helping the homeless. We’ll make sure they’re fed, clothed, and have the opportunity to find jobs or get an education without them having to worry about paying rent or whether or not they’ll be able to eat from one day to the next. Some of you will be responsible for seeing that their needs are met, and should they like to participate in any of the resort activities, they are not to be charged.”

Then, he smiles brightly and says, “I hope you all will enjoy working here and please know that if there are any problems you can report to the resort’s manager or directly to me. Let’s make this place prosper.”

He steps down from the podium and begins greeting everyone. Instead of rushing off to meet his realtor like his guards wanted, he takes his time shaking hands and introducing himself to everyone. When he finally reaches me, he holds out his hand and says, “I don’t think I caught your name.”

Taking his hand, I blurt out the word, “Dinner.”

He tilts his head to the side with a confused expression. “Your name is dinner?”

Feeling myself blush, I clear my throat and say, “No, my name is Griffin, but I’d like to take you out for dinner.”

He grins and pulls a business card from his suit jacket, then taking a pen from a different pocket, he writes a number on the back and hands it to me. “Call me and we’ll set up a time and day. I’d love to set something up now and talk a bit more but if I take any more time my shadows will have bitch fit.”

Laughing, I take the card from him and say, “We wouldn’t want that.”

His shadows come up behind him and the one on the left clears his throat. “Sir, we really need to get going or we’ll be late.”

Casper winks at me and says, “I look forward to hearing from you,” then turns on his heel and exits the lobby, his shadows close behind. I pull out my phone and program his number in but instead of throwing the business card away, I tuck it into my shirt pocket because it still has his scent on it. The meeting in the lobby was the only thing I had to be here for today, so I decide to head home. Once I’m inside my jeep, I lean my head against the steering wheel as the gravity of my situation hits me full force. My mate is a billionaire…a fucking billionaire.

While I know he wasn’t always rich since he was a lottery winner, the fact of the matter is, money changes people. Sure, he built this resort, and wants to help the homeless, but that’s not saying he’s a good person at heart. However, since I trust the fates know what they’re doing, I’ll use the fact that my mate is human, to keep my distance a bit until we get to know each other better and I can be sure Casper isn’t another Richard. Dating before claiming…guess that’s my new motto.

As I start my jeep, I use the hands free to call Casper.

“Hello?”

“Hi Casper, it’s Griffin.”

I can hear the smile in his voice when he says, “I didn’t think you’d call so soon. Isn’t the rule to wait three days?”

“What can I say? I don’t like playing games, it’s best to just get straight to the point.”

“I don’t like games either.”

“So, are you free tonight?”

“I am, but even if I wasn’t, I’d make myself free.”

“Oh? So, you’re saying despite your schedule, you’d make time for me?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

A warm feeling spreads through my chest at his words. Richard never made time for me. Everything we ever did was on his terms. “Do you like steak?”

“Who doesn’t?”

Laughing at his tone, I say, “Some people don’t. There’s a steakhouse on third, meet me there at seven?”

“I’ll be there.”

“Great. See you then.”

“See you.”

Despite my worries and fears, I can’t help feeling excited at the thought of going on a date with my mate. Since I have the whole day to kill, I plan on helping my dad with some housework. He wants to get the garden ready for planting. It’s my mom’s garden but he refuses to let her handle the fertilizer or operate the tiller. If she wants to plant anything herself, she’s only allowed to drop the seeds in the dirt, or plant flowers in pots. Every year, she acts like she’s angry he won’t let her do it on her own, but we all know she’s pretending. Every time someone asks her why she lets him tell her she can’t do something, she says, it’s because he’s only trying to protect her and instead of being angry about it, she feels cherished. I’ve always wanted that kind of relationship, and now that I’ve met my fated mate, it’s no longer a dream, but a very real possibility.

Since I’m still living in my parents’ basement, a situation I hope won’t be necessary by the end of the year, I don’t have to worry about being late for my date, since all I’ll need to do after helping my dad is take a quick shower and change clothes. My sister would help, but my dad refuses to let her do anything either. So, it’s up to me. The work will be tedious but since I have something to look forward to, we’ll have it done in no time. I refuse to be late for my first date with my mate.