Page 5 of Lonely Alpha

“Oh, I have.” Sam stood up and piled plates on top of one another. “My cousin in Nebraska lost her mate in an accident, and she’s been mated to Jack for three years now.”

“Either of them her fated?”

“She says both. Seeing how happy she was with the first one and now Jack? I am inclined to believe her.” He took the dishes into the kitchen and came back again. “You know what they say about the Bearclaw Inn.”

“Nobody leaves there without being mated, right?” Rick finished for him.

“That’s what I hear. I came back to help my dads, but I have to get my own business going or get hired on somewhere before I feel ready for a mate, but I can’t look away from this opportunity, either.”

“You’re 100 percent right.” Rick pounded the table, making me jump. “Chances like this don’t come along very often.”

“It’s hard to imagine I’ll ever be with someone besides Lars.” The idea made me sad.

“You are looking forward.” Sam’s stare was fierce. “And that’s what we want for you.” They were the only ones besides my dads I’d heard from overseas, and their support meant everything. I was nervous but excited about the Bearclaw Inn. If I had any chance for a mate in my life, this was it.

After a little more cheerful backup from my friends, I headed for home with a big bag of leftovers to snack on and more confidence than I’d had when I arrived. If I’d learned anything in the service, it was that you wouldn’t gain anything by staying still.

Bearclaw Inn, here I come.

Chapter Five

Lars

The last forty-eight hours had been a battle.

A battle with myself. With my wolf. Even with my beliefs about Fate and the role the Goddess played in my life.

I went to work, fueled myself with too much caffeine, and tried to focus on my work to no avail. All I did was stare at the computer screen and allow the same thoughts to rotate through my brain over and over.

“Lars.” The word came from my left, startling me until I realized who spoke.

“Hey, Zeke. What’s up?” I asked, turning in my chair.

“I’ve been calling your name for at least two Mississippis. Where were you, man?”

Ah, shit. I was in my own world. “Overthinking some things.” I laughed and shook my head at myself. I really needed to make a decision.

“It’s almost lunchtime. Want to grab a burger and talk about it?”

I checked the time. Damn, I hadn’t gotten much of anything done that morning. “You know what? Sure. I think a new perspective would help me.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

We walked a few blocks to the new burger place and after getting our food, sat down. “What’s on your mind, Lars? You haven’t been yourself all week.”

Zeke was my office friend. We didn’t really hang out much, but he was mated with six kids, and I had a feeling our lunches were his only outings. He’d never shared that information and I’d never asked. But he was a good friend and had asked me for advice on things a few times. Now it was my turn.

“You know, I was rejected or somehow lost my mate a long time ago,” I began, laying down the foundation for my predicament.

“I do. Did something happen? Did you meet someone else?”

I may have mentioned the dating app to him. “I went on a few dates, but no. Nothing sparked. But I did receive a letter in the mail the other day.”

“From who?” He leaned over the table a bit more, clearly interested.

“The Bearclaw Inn. A guy named Franklin. Heard of it?”

Zeke sat back and closed his eyes. “An invitation to a weekend attheBearclaw Inn? Likethe innwhere no one leaves unmated? Please tell me you’re talking about that one.”

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