Page 19 of In Plain Sight

The truth was, I understood where he was coming from. I would be concerned and maybe even a little pissed if anyone I cared about had done the same.

I sighed. “He’s my one true mate. Why fight it?”

“Oh shit. You’re serious? Wow. That’s crazy, Ruby. I mean, what are the odds?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I think we were both a little shocked by it all. It’s been a strange few days and if you two goons don’t mind, I’d like to just get back to my normal routine.”

They were both quiet for once, but I didn’t miss the shared look between them. Choosing to ignore them, I set about my day, finding peace in the mundane and familiar.

When all the chores were done for the day and the evening crew was arriving to settle the animals in for the night, I actually felt a little more like my normal self. I headed upstairs, surprised to find Bran gone. I wasn’t expecting equal parts disappointment and relief.

I stripped and jumped in the shower. As I headed for the kitchen, I saw a note he’d left that he was having dinner with Thomas to discuss jobs. I wasn’t sure if that was an invitation to join them or not as he’d listed when and where they’d be. I decided it was just Bran being thoughtful and letting me know, and I wasn’t going to disturb them. It would be good for two of the most important men in my life to spend time together.

Though I had missed my mate throughout the day, it had also been great having a break from him. What did that say about our relationship? Was that normal?

I needed someone to talk to, quick. I headed outside and jumped in my truck. When I pulled in at Clara’s. I hesitated because I hadn’t even thought to call her ahead of time. Before I could talk myself into turning around and just going to the diner and seeing if Peyton was working, Clara stepped out on her porch and walked over to me.

“Hey Ruby, what’s up?” she asked, sounding concerned.

I frowned. “Can we talk?”

“Lizzy’s here. She and Cole just got back in from Westin this morning. Come on in.”

“Oh, never mind. I didn’t mean to interrupt your evening. Bran’s having dinner with Thomas tonight.”

“Great, I’ll call Lily and tell her to come on over and we’ll make a sisters’ night of it then. Gage is helping Cole with a pipe that sprung a leak while they were away. The place is flooded and a mess.”

“Oh, okay,” I said. I had wanted to talk to Clara, not all of my sisters. Clara had already met Bran and I knew she was the best listener. I didn’t need advice from Lily and Lizzy, I just needed to talk a few things out.

Disappointed by the turn of events but seeing no way out of it, I got out of my truck and followed her inside.

“Hey Ruby,” Lizzy said, genuinely smiling and hugging me when I walked in.

To be honest, the change in my sister still creeped me out. Her story was common knowledge now. She had met her one true mate as a teenager and then pushed him away when she thought it was best for the Pack, but their bond had never severed. She’d lived an empty life like a walking zombie. When Cole came back into her life, the change was instantaneous and it had scared the shit out of me.

I didn’t understand how powerful a true bond was, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to deny mine and risk living like Elizabeth had. That was the number one reason I didn’t stop to think or challenge Bran when we bonded. What was the point? I knew I was meant to be with him, but being with anyone, even as sexy and amazing as my true mate was, was proving more difficult than I expected.

“Ruby? Did you even hear a word I said?” Lizzy asked.

“Huh? What? Sorry. Did you say something?”

The girls shared a look, and I knew I had just completely zoned out on them.

“She asked how things are going,” Clara said sweetly. She always was the nicest of us all.

Before I could even open my mouth, Lily burst through the door. “Sister time!” she hollered.

“Oh Lord, have you been drinking already?” Clara asked.

Lily held up a bottle of vodka and toasted us all. “To sisters! I love you girls so much.”

“That bottle is half empty. Please tell me you didn’t drink the entire thing yourself,” Lizzy said, though we all suspected the answer already.

“Did you drive over here?” I asked.

“Nope, Sydney drove me,” she said as she tugged on something outside my view, and suddenly Sydney appeared.

I assumed things would have been awkward with the two. Then again, maybe that was why Lily was drunk. Sydney had been Thomas’s longtime girlfriend. They had even been declared acceptable compatible mates by the Pack Council, and everyone thought Syd would be our next Pack Mother. That was until Lily visited from Westin Pack with my youngest sister, Madelyn. Lily and Maddie had been best friends since they were little girls.

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