Page 1 of The Suspicious Mate

CHAPTER ONE

“So, Cincinnati it is. A new beginning and a new life, hopefully.” He told himself and pulled off the interstate. It looked like any other large Midwest city he’d driven past during his fourteen-hour drive from North Dakota. He hoped the city held the promise that his cousin Mac had described when coaxing him to come. He made it sound so tempting that Kallan finally pulled the trigger and moved from his home in Dickinson, where he was born and raised to try his luck in Cincinnati.

Mac offered to let him live with him in his downtown apartment, but Kallan valued his privacy and his own space. He appreciated the offer but made sure to secure an apartment for himself before moving. Kallan was a planner and didn’t do things off the cuff like Mac. Mac was a lovely man, and Kallan valued his cousin above all others; he was a bit of a roughneck and didn't bother to hide it. Mac was a heavy equipment driver and worked with the city crew. It was a good job with good pay.

"I set up an interview for you tomorrow afternoon at two with the boss, Pete McPherson. He supervises most of the city projects, and he's looking for an office assistant." Mac told him when Kallan had called him that morning, letting him know he would be getting to town in the late evening.

"I'll be ready, thanks," Kallan told him; he was not certain if the city crew was his goal, but he would certainly entertain an interview. He gave Mac another call as soon as he hit the city limits to let him know he'd arrived.

“I just got here.” He said while grabbing his bag and duffle from the trunk of his car. He parked in the underground parking area and headed up to the third floor to the apartment he’d rented. He left his other things in the car and planned to see if Mac would help him bring them upstairs tomorrow. The building was clean and secure, with a garage attendant and keypad entrances. It was located just outside the center city area, not in the hustle and bustle but still close to the action.

He stuck the key in the lock and swung the door open. It was partially furnished and would be sufficient until he could furnish it properly. Walking around, he felt a comfort and familiarity with the space and decided he could call this place home. It was a new beginning, probably the first of many. At twenty-three, he probably had many new life experiences that lay ahead of him, and this was to be his first foray into life in a new city.

Kallan was born and raised in Dickinson. His family lived there, although they were not a close bunch apart from him and Mac. Mac was older than him and had always looked out for him in their small town. When Mac decided to move to Cincinnati looking for a better job, it seemed random to Kallan, and he wondered why such a town as Cincinnati. Mac told him he researched many large towns when he was considering making a move, and Cincinnati was the town that called to him.

Now that Kallan was there and feeling the vibe of the place and the people, he understood the attraction. It wasn’t anything obvious, just a feeling that he would fit in. He worked in the oil fields but not as a laborer. He worked in the office doing clerical and, after two years, decided there was no future there.

He had enough in savings to see him through until he found another job, and he hoped for something more challenging than data processing. The interview with Pete McPherson sounded a lot like his job with the oil company, but he would reserve judgment.

“I’ll stop by in the morning with breakfast.” Mac stated, and Kallan was very grateful. "Is there anything you need tonight, anything I can do for you?" Mac was a great guy, and Kallan was glad he had him in his life.

"No, I'm going to get comfortable and get some rest; it was a long drive."

“I’ll see you in the morning then.”

“See you then.”

Noa stood at the door and carefully vetted each person as they came before him. Ames, the other doorman/bouncer, was taking a break since his mate stopped by. They were such a cute couple, and Ames, the consummate bachelor and usual belle of the ball, was now focused and loyal to one man. He had eyes for no one else, and there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for that little man of his. Several of the guys had now found their mates, but Noa did not delude himself with the hopes that he would be next.

His parents had not been a fated couple, and neither were his grandparents. No one in Noa's immediate family had found their mates, so he was certain that shifters just weren't meant to bond. The Zephyr Club made up for any hardship he might be feeling in the constant flow of available men, handsome, willing, and oh-so eager. His needs were met, and his desires were stated on a daily.

Working the door allowed him first dibs on the most desirable of patrons. He was a grizzly shifter, so he was large and dominant, just what the gorgeous little twinks who frequented the club were looking for. He was in a good place he had a job he loved and a pack of his own they were a hodgepodge of individuals but a more loyal group you would never find. He had nothing to complain about, certainly not the lack of a mate. His life was exactly as he wanted it, and he was not looking for any changes, especially not the responsibility and the limiting effect of having a Fated mate.

Noa heard the myths and legends of Fated mates and their power and allure, but even witnessing the apparent regard the couples had for one another within his pack had not convinced him of their worth. He didn’t believe that feelings for another could be so overwhelming and the desire to be with them and only them could ever be real.

He wasn't implying that his pack mates were lying, only that they were deluded and making the relationship what they assumed it should be. But it was none of Noa's business. His motto was live and let live if they wanted the Fated mate experience. Who was he to tell them it was a myth.

Everyone has the right to carve out their own life and to seek their own satisfaction, whether it be reality-based or not. With that said, Noa was in the mood for a little satisfaction himself. Perhaps one of the beauties he was letting inside would be up for some entertainment.

"Go ahead and take a break, Noa." His Alpha, Cross Mercer, came up to stand beside him. "You've been at the door for hours. I'll take over until Ames returns." Cross smiled, knowing that Ames was with his mate and there was no guarantee that he would return before closing.

“He does get caught up in that little man.” Noa chuckled.

"Mates have that effect on you." Cross spoke knowingly, but Noa did not comment, just nodded, and moved toward the bar. He scanned the area seeing several possibilities that could take care of the itch he was feeling.

He took the beer Parc handed to him and sat down with his back to the bar, and took in the room. Cross had slowly eased the strict leather aspect of the Club over the last few months in a desire to appeal to more than just the leather crowd. Seeing the packed floor and the activity filling every corner at near closing time was evidence that it was a wise decision. Club Zephyr was still known primarily as a leather club, but it was getting out that it wasn’t a deal breaker if you weren’t wearing leather.

There was still a code to get inside, and unfortunately, not everyone made the cut. The look, sex appeal, class, and, yes, beauty played a part as well and gave a person access. The look was most important in Noa's experience. It was the first impression and was usually a good indicator as to whether the person would fit into the atmosphere of the Zephyr. Being gorgeous and discerning but also ready to party with the right partner was Noa's opinion of a good customer.

“See anyone to your liking?” Zeke came up and took a seat next to him.

"Lots to choose from, but nothing stands out." Noa shot him a lighthearted smile. "How about you?" Zeke was a bit of a dark horse, always working and keeping a low profile when it came to the customer end of the business. He handled the security measures, cameras, monitors, background checks when necessary, and anything else that fell under the surveillance umbrella, so he spent his time behind closed doors. But he got plenty of action, usually in his office, which was adjacent to the surveillance room.

“I’ve been watching the one over there standing with the tall blonde. He seems shy but also expectant I can work with that.” Noa turned and looked at him and chuckled.

"You like them, shy? I never knew that I thought you like them on the fem side."

"Oh, I do, but shy is attractive and puts me in complete control." Noa had to agree, and the shy man was giving Zeke a lot of attention. He noticed Zeke noticing him, and he was more than a little interested.

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