Page 1 of Can't Be Love

Lily

Chapter 1

Exiting the car, I stretched and smiled. There was something nice-smelling in the air that called to me, and I liked it. Collier territory was beautiful. I had visited here numerous times in my life, but something felt different this time.

Liam helped unload the car and I was bursting with excitement. It was the first time Maddie had been back to visit her home pack since my twin brother had found her. It was pretty cool that my oldest and dearest friend turned out to be my twin's one true mate, and I was really happy for them. All my siblings had found their true mates, and I couldn't wait till I found mine.

I was practically skipping and loving the wide-open space of Wyoming, when Liam gave me a concerned look. “What is wrong with you?”

Maddie laughed. “Leave her alone. This place just has that effect on people.”

Madelyn looked happy, I thought.

“Sweetheart, are you okay?” Liam asked her, and I knew he was worried about her being emotionally overwhelmed by this trip. That's why he had asked me to tag along. I had a way of pulling her out of her shell.

Madelyn Amanda Collier Westin (sometimes we called her MC), was my very best friend in the entire world. We had met at summer camp when we were six years old and we were practically inseparable every year after, until the day that she had disappeared. Eight years later, my brother found her living a new life in the human world and brought her home.

Oscar, MC's son, bounded out of the car. He was clearly as excited as I was. It didn't take long before Maddie’s sisters swarmed, fawning over Oscar and MC. She had five sisters, and one douchebag brother. I couldn’t remember the last time I saw Thomas.. He was a year younger than Maddie and me, and had been a pain when we were kids. He had disappeared and pulled away from the family after Maddie's disappearance. Asshole.

We headed for the Alpha house that Maddie had grown up in as everyone started grabbing our things and giving a round of welcome hugs.

There was something so familiar about the Collier Alpha house. It made me happy just to be there.

Cora and Zach Collier were good people. Zach was Alpha of the pack, and a great leader. Having shared the Alpha brat experience had helped Maddie and me become fast friends so many years ago. Few understood the pressures of that role, so it was a unique bond we had formed.

They had visited Westin a few times, but seeing Madelyn home was triggering a chain of tears and high emotions.

Sorry girl,I silently sent to Maddie.I'm out of here!

Leaving them to their reunion, I headed back outside. I breathed in the crisp mountain air, and it made my whole body start to tingle.Mate,I thought to myself.

I didn’t want to freak out, and I could barely contain my excitement. I just knew my one true mate was here. Hehadto be a Collier, and I could live with that. I had waited my entire life to feel this tingly sensation that had the hair on my arms standing up.

My siblings had all fought their bond in some way, but I knew that would never be me. The magic of true mates was so romantic. It was something I had dreamed for and longed of my entire life.

There were several groups of people around. Unlike the Westin Alpha house that sat back in the woods and away from town, Collier's Alpha house literally sat on the main street of town.

People had obviously heard of Maddie's visit ahead of time and were anxious to catch a glimpse of her. I started walking around and saying hello to the people I passed, trying to make eye contact with every male in the area. I knew the moment our eyes met, I'd recognize him and everything was going to be perfect.

My senses were on full alert and I imagined my wolf was wagging her tail happily. He was here, this was it! There was even more of a spring in my step as I anxiously honed in on my mate, my one true mate! It took everything in my power not to “eek” out loud in excitement.

I channeled a little more of my wolf and let her guide me. We rounded a corner, and I saw a group of young men standing around talking. Every single one of them was super sexy hot.Yes, please!I was getting a super sexy hot mate. It was the greatest day of my life.

I looked at each of them, wondering which one he was. They all smiled and nodded as attention turned toward me. I was careful to make eye contact with each of them. Nothing. Then I noticed the one with his back turned stiffen. His shoulders sagged, and he took a deep breath. I was acutely aware of how his heart rate sped up and I was a million times positive that this was him, the man I had longed for my entire life.

I took a moment to check out and appreciate my mate. The thought alone had me grinning from ear to ear. He looked to have close-cropped brown hair. He was wearing a black flannel shirt tucked into tight jeans with a wide belt, completing the package with a pair of black cowboy boots. My very own cowboy. I quickly admired just how well his ass filled out those jeans. I already knew he was hotter than hot and he was all mine.

He slowly turned around and our eyes locked. It felt like my entire world tilted and he was the new gravity holding me in place.Wow, I thought. He had the most alluring chocolate-brown eyes. I was mesmerized. This was everything I had ever dreamed it would be.

Recognition flickered in his eyes first, breaking the fog I had found myself in.

“Lily Westin?” I heard him say in a deep, sexy voice that had my body trembling.

Surprised that he knew my name, I shook my head and took a closer look. Revulsion immediately set in. I couldn't believe what my eyes were telling me. I couldn't believe what my heart was telling me.

“Thomas?” I spit out, disgusted at the very thought. “Oh, hell no!”

I turned and ran as fast as I could. I had to get away from there. God was a good, loving, and kind God. There was no way he could possibly be cruel enough to condemn me to Thomas Collier as my one true mate. I had to have read things wrong. This could not be happening to me.

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