Page 17 of Shattered Soulmates

When we enter, another wolf is behind the desk, working on the computer. He sees me and stands.

He’s the most handsome wolf I’ve ever seen. Long, brown hair, crystal-green eyes, tall and muscular. If I had to guess, I'd say early thirties. No mate mark and no wedding ring.

Yum!I purse my lips.Wow,this medicine really works. I usually couldn't look at another wolf, let alone drool over one.

Miles startles. "I forgot you were working here. Uh. Let me introduce you to my mate, Paisley." He clears his throat. "Paisley, this is Beta Knight."

I give Miles the side-eye at his announcement that I’m his mate. I glance at the new Beta and smile.

"Nice to meet you, Paisley." He encloses my hand in his and returns the smile.

"You as well, Beta Knight." I look at Miles curiously, wondering why we have another Beta.

"I'll leave you two alone," Beta Knight offers.

For some odd reason, I don't want him to leave. "Just a moment, Beta Knight, please?" I ask.

He nods.

"Miles," I begin. "Have you ever heard of CMS?"

"No." He hesitates.

“Thought not.” I nod. "Okay, give me a minute." I turn my attention back to Beta Knight. "Where are you from?"

"Stone Mountain City," he replies, glancing between Miles and me. "The Alpha Commander sent me here. I was one of his Betas. As you can imagine, it takes a lot to run the city."

"Oh, yes. I imagine it does. Do you know about CMS?"

"Yes. I worked closely with Dr. Skye to relocate some of the victims." He eyes me warily.

"Do you have a mate?" I ask. "I apologize for quizzing you so much. I do have a reason, if you’ll humor me a moment."

"No problem," he chuckles. "I met my mate about a year ago. She strung me along for a few months and then ghosted me. I don't know where she is now. But the short answer is no, I don’t have a mate."

While Knight is speaking, Miles watches me with barely contained wariness.

I turn to North. “Can you and Beta Knight please wait outside the door? Once Miles and I have a private conversation, I need you two to assist me in explaining CMS to him.”

"Oh. Okay," North agrees as he and Beta Knight step outside.

Once the room is empty, I sit behind the desk and motion for Miles to take a seat in one of the side chairs. He does.

"Explain." I simply say.

He shifts in his seat, clearly uncomfortable. "What do you want me to say?"

"Listen, don't play dumb. Tell me what’s in your heart and your mind. Spill."

At least he has the decency to look ashamed. "Paisley, to be truthful with you, I’m confused."

"Go on," I prod.

"You know my history with Marissa, and that we were together for ten years."

"On and off,” I remind him. “You told me you were together during the times she was around."

He nods. "Anyway, she showed up at my bachelor party, and I was intoxicated. She said she wanted to talk to get closure."

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