Page 70 of His True Mate
“But you’re a mating male and can’t control all these emotions because you haven’t sealed the deal and are being controlled by your wolf.”
“Something like that,” I grumbled.
“Just claim her already.”
“It’s not that simple,” I insisted.
“Sure it is. You’re just making a bigger deal of it than it needs to be.”
“She doesn’t even know if she wants to stay here, Ruby. I need her to be sure first.”
“She’s your mate. Of course she wants to stay here.”
“I hope you’re right, but as far as she’s told me she’s only like a one-month trial. I can’t just claim her and then have her leave me. It would destroy me,” I admitted, even knowing how vulnerable it made me sound.
Ruby threw her arms around me, but I pushed her away. My wolf wasn’t going to tolerate any other female’s comfort, not even my friend’s.
“Sorry. You just looked like you needed a hug. Maybe I should have Bran bring Opal down today.”
I sighed. “You don’t need to pull out the big guns like that. I’m okay, Ruby. I really am.”
“If you say so. I still think you’re making things harder on yourself than it needs to be.”
“Maybe, but some things I just need to figure out on my own no matter how hard it is.”
“Yeah, whatever. Is she coming to ladies’ night tonight? Lily said she was going to ask her.”
“She’ll be there.”
“Great. I can’t wait to get to know her better.”
“Just be nice and help her feel welcome. Please. I don’t want you guys scaring her off.”
Ruby gasped and clutched her chest.
“Why I’d never.”
“You would.”
She snorted.
“We’ll be nice. I promise.”
I wasn’t certain I believed her, but I had to hope things would go well.
By lunchtime I was going so stir crazy that Ruby kicked me out of the barn. I drove into town and grabbed subs, chips, and sodas, and then headed straight for the stables.
Dalton shook his head when he saw.
“Can’t stay away, can ya, boy?”
“Nope,” I fully admitted.
“She’s mucking out the stable for Thomas’s horse.”
“Thanks.”
I walked down to find my mate hard at work.
