Page 52 of Crew

As much as Grey liked a good run around town for errands, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something more was waiting for him in town. Maybe Crew and Zara’s newfound happiness was lifting his spirits and giving him hope, and maybe their good fortune would rub off on him and his friends.

He parked in the feed store lot and got out, stretching his legs. He and Avi headed to the grocery next door, then returned to the feed store to get the filled order.

As he got into the truck to stop at the gas station, his stallion tossed his head with a curious snort and Grey looked around. Nothing was out of the ordinary. There were no dangerous herd members watching him and Avi run errands, no sense of danger at all actually. But he was definitely feeling something.

“You looking for something in particular?” Avi asked before getting into the truck.

“I don’t know, man, but my stallion is acting up a bit.”

“Really? Mine’s not.”

He grinned. “Well, you’re just not special like me, bro.”

“Harsh.”

“Let’s go, whatever my stallion is getting worked up about, it’s not happening right here.” He looked around once more and decided he was imagining things. Except something, deep down, told him he wasn’t imagining anything. Maybe Crew and Zara finding each other wasn’t just good luck but proof that the universe worked in very strange ways and things happened when they were supposed to.

Like finding soulmates.

Maybe—just maybe—it was Grey’s time.

* * *

As the hour approached for the ceremony that would not only join Zara and Crew as official mates but also make her the alpha female for the herd, her nerves kicked in. She and Crew hadn’t seen much of each other during the day because they’d both been busy prepping for the night to come.

There was a knock on the bedroom door and she called for whoever it was to come in.

Crew opened the door and smiled at her. “Hi, sweetheart.”

It was a relief to see him. And he looked sexy as hell in a dark dress shirt and slacks.

She moved to him and he pulled her close, lowering his head to her neck for a soft kiss.

“Is this bad luck?” she whispered. “Are we allowed to see each other?”

He chuckled lightly and kissed her neck. “It’s not bad luck and we’re definitely allowed to see each other; it’s not like a wedding where we wouldn’t see each other beforehand. We’re already mated, so this is just a formality. Plus of course, making you alpha female.” He eased back from her and smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “I could feel your nerves through our connection as mates and wanted to check on you.”

“I don’t know why I’m nervous.”

“I’m nervous too. I think it’s just how it is with this kind of big event.” He reached into his pocket and lifted a slender box. “A mating day gift. I want to make this a tradition for our people going forward.”

“I didn’t get you anything,” she said, taking the box.

“It’s for the male to give to the female.”

Inside was a delicate gold chain with a horse charm. “I love it, thank you!”

He put it on her neck and she touched it, feeling like she could actually hear the whinny of his stallion. Turning back to him, she went onto her toes and kissed him.

“Thank you so much, Crew. I’m so happy to be yours.”

“I love you, sweetheart, and I’m so glad you’re mine too.”

As she murmured against his lips that she loved him too, she heard someone clear their throat and leaned around him to see Nancy and Tris.

“We’ve got something for our alpha female,” Nancy said. “If you don’t mind, Alpha.”

“Of course not,” he said. He stepped back with a meaningful glance. “I’ll see you outside, Zara.”

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