Page 7 of Ignited By My Mate

I blink at him. “Wait—how much does it cost?”

“I’ll cover it.”

“No, you won’t. I’m paying.”

He shrugs. “Then we’ll fight about it later.”

I shake my head, speechless. No one does this. No one… helps like this.

“You don’t even know me,” I whisper.

He meets my eyes. “I’d like to.”

For a moment, all I can hear is the chirp of birds in the trees and the rush of wind through the leaves. And my heart beating faster than it should.

“Thank you,” I say softly.

He nods. “Dinner tonight?”

I glance toward the cabin, then back at him. “Are you asking me on a date?”

He grins. “Maybe.”

I think for a beat, then smile. “Pick me up at six.”

He heads back to his truck, but before climbing in, he looks at me again. Like he’s memorizing something. Like he already knows that this week will change everything.

And as I step into the cool, quiet cabin, I wonder if he’s right.

So much for a quiet vacation.

FOUR

Harris

The cabinand surrounding area are quiet as I grab Lark’s things from her car. I stand there for a second longer, staring at the door like I might see her silhouette through it. My bear is still humming under my skin, pacing, more alive than he’s been in years.

Mate.

The word echoes through me, not a thought but a truth etched into every bone. I’ve waited so damn long for her. I didn’t think I’d ever find her, not after all the false starts and dead ends. But she’s here. She’s real. And I’ve got exactly one week to show her why she’s not going back to that city life.

The idea of her leaving has my bear snarling.

Not yet,I think.Not if I can help it.

I unload her bags from the trunk of her car and carry them up the steps. I left the door ajar and tap it lightly before stepping inside. Heading upstairs, I place the bags by the bed, careful not to look too long at the soft throw blanket or the king-size bed.

Bite her. Claim her now,my bear urges.

I shake my head.Not yet.

"Thanks again," Lark says as she exits the bathroom. "For all of this. I didn’t mean to drop into town and cause chaos."

"You didn’t. You landed exactly where you were meant to."

Her eyes flick to mine, curious but cautious. "That’s a bold thing to say," she murmurs. “Do you believe in fate and all that?”

“You could say that.” I smile and back off before I come on too strong. "I’ll let you settle in. But I’ll be back at six, okay?"

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