Page 9 of Crew

They harvested the berries together and then walked back toward the big barn.

“I’d love to help with dinner,” Zara said. “If you need another pair of hands.”

Just then, her whole world slowed down and her heart started to pound.

She let her gaze sweep over the pasture, and that’s when she saw him.

He was standing by the split-rail fence, his hands casually resting on the top rail as he spoke to Colton and Weston, with Avi and another male next to him. He was broad-shouldered, with dark hair that was highlighted with the golds of the afternoon sunshine.

He turned like he could sense her watching him, and when their gazes met, her world tilted.

He moved toward her, slowly, like he was aware of an invisible thread connecting them.

“You okay?” Tris asked.

Zara opened her mouth to say something, but all that came out was an undignified squeak.

The male neared and she caught the hint of his stallion, wild like fresh grass and warm like the summer sun.

“Hi,” he said with a voice that made all the restlessness inside her settle. “I’m Crew McCormick.”

This time when she opened her mouth, she could actually talk. “Zara,” she finally managed, her voice barely above a whisper. “Zara Radcliffe.”

“Oh,” Tris said. Then she giggled. “Oh! See you later, Zara. Welcome to Little River.”

Crew’s smile widened. “Yes, Zara, welcome to Little River.”

Her heart thudded painfully in her chest.

Before she could respond, Colton’s voice broke the spell between them.

“Zara, this is Alpha Crew.” He strode over, joining them when Zara felt he was most unwelcome. Couldn’t he tell she was having a moment with this very handsome, very sexy male?

Who… oh my.

She couldn’t even finish the thought.

She turned to Colton, forcing a small smile. “Yes. We just met.”

Colton clapped a hand on Crew’s shoulder and it made Crew’s eye tick.

“I’m glad to see my people are making a good impression. Zara’s got a knack for making herself useful—don’t you, Zara?”

Unease filled her. Colton’s tone was pleasant, but it seemed superficial. He wasn’t angry, but she’d known him long enough to know when she needed to brace for a bad mood to strike.

“I do what I can,” she said, keeping her voice neutral. She glanced at Crew, who gave her a small, reassuring smile. The warmth in his eyes steadied her, even as the tension in her chest tightened. “I’d like to help wherever I can. I met Tris and we foraged blackberries. I offered to help with dinner.” Okay, she was rambling. Ending her ramblings, she said, “This place feels special.”

Crew smiled at her and the knot in her chest loosened.

Colton opened his mouth like he was going to interject something, but Crew said, “Zara, I’d like to speak to you privately.”

“Of course.”

He offered her his hand and she took it, a little zing of electricity shooting up her arm.

And with that little zing came the knowledge that she was in the presence of her soulmate.

She’d left Virginia because she had no choice but to follow her alpha’s bidding. But he’d brought her to Crew and his herd, and this special place called Little River.

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