“No. You are my mate. My true mate. Are you denying that?”

“No, but I can’t do this. Didn’t you hear me? I’m promised to another.”

“But he didn’t claim you.”

“It’s taking place on the next full moon.”

“No.”

“Yeah. I have to go.”

She pulled away from me and took off running. I should have gone after her, but I just stood there in shock. I’d always said I wouldn’t fight the bond when I found my true mate, but never in all my dreams did I consider she would.

“Lachlan? Are you okay?” Michael asked.

His words barely registered to my ears.

“Lachie?”

“What’s wrong with him, boss?” Colin asked.

“I don’t know. I heard a scream and headed in this direction to find him standing here like this. He’s not responding.”

“Lachlan, snap out of it. What’s wrong, man?”

“She doesn’t want me.”

“What?”

“She doesn’t want me.”

“What is he talking about?” Michael asked.

“She doesn’t want me,” I muttered for the third time.

The others caught up to us.

“Anyone hear a girl scream?” Tucker asked.

“Yes, but when I got here, I found Lachlan instead,” Michael explained.

“She doesn’t want me,” I said again, still trying to process what had just happened.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Linc asked.

“I met my mate. She doesn’t want me.”

“You met your true mate? Here?” Walker asked.

I nodded.

“Is that who screamed?” Tucker asked with a hint of humor in his voice.

I nodded again.

“Thought you weren’t going to fight it,” he reminded me.

“Claim her right there on the spot,” Colin added.