Page 291 of Labor of Love

TYLER

Case closed.

The land we had petitioned the county for ownership of was now ours, which meant we had even more ground in our name that was safe for us to roam and shift on. It was an accomplishment worth celebrating. Only I did not feel at all like celebrating.

My wolf and I had been in a funk for weeks now, going dangerously into rut territory. Some days it felt as if I was going to crawl out of my skin and die of need. Especially if it was a day I spent a lot of time near my mate.

My mate who kept me at arm’s length and had for the past several years.

“I would have thought you’d be happier,” Raphael said. He drove. I hadn’t needed an extra person to go along with me today, but I was thankful that he was here. I didn’t really wish to be completely alone with my thoughts.

“Just thinking.”

“You know, I didn’t want to bring it up, but there’s been a lot of talk around town lately, and for some reason, I feel it is my responsibility to let you know what’s being whispered about.”

My lips quirked at that. The dragon had joined the pack about a year ago and had fit in perfectly despite being the only dragon we had. The bond between us had been immediate, similar to how quickly Theo and Luca had bonded.

“Raphael, if you haven’t figured it out already, you are one of my Betas.”

“What? I’m a dragon. We aren’t Betas.”

I rolled my eyes. “Whether you like it or not, that is the role you have fallen into as one of my closest friends. Look at all the work that you and Luca do for this pack. You’re one of my Betas.”

And Luca was one of Theo’s inner den, the group of friends and role models within that pack that our pack members could go to for help, much like my Betas. I couldn’t say that, though. That would be revealing too much about my relationship with Theo.

“Fine. I accept that,” Raphael said.

“What are these whispers you hear?” I asked.

“Everyone thinks it’s time for you to take a mate.”

I groaned. I definitely had that same thought. I’d had that same thought since I realized Theo was my mate.

“I have one,” I said, surprising even myself. I hadn’t revealed to anyone what I knew about my mate. As far as I knew, Theo’s mom didn’t even know we were fated.

He shot me a look.

“I’ve known who my mate was for years now. When my mate is ready, he will let me know.”

I think. I’d always assumed that Theo would just tell me when he was ready. He had no problem telling me any other thing that popped into his head. Yet he never outright said to me anything related to being mates.

“Well, that’s good to hear. When do you think that you and Theo will make this official?”

Thank the moon I wasn’t driving. I would have run us off the road.

“How did you?—”

“I didn’t. You just confirmed.”

I rolled my eyes. “That was a dirty trick.”

“Perhaps. I thought Luca was crazy when he suggested it. After all, you and Theo have known each other for years. You never…?”

I shook my head.

Raphael let out a little whistle. “That must have taken great restraint.”

I sighed. Indeed, it had taken restraint, patience, and a whole lot of pining. “He was very young when I took over the pack, and we knew then that he was my mate. We’ve never really talked about it. I just assumed that when he was ready, he would tell me.”

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