Page 47 of Resisting Fate

“That’s right, buddy. I do,” Deke says with a choked sound.

He pulls the boy into his arms and sobs.

Ryker talks to Nolan, and the other lion shifter comes walking into the room and stops when he sees them.

“Who’s this?” Nolan asks, looking at the newcomer.

“Matt, sir,” the shifter says before extending his hand.

“Where is your pride?” Nolan asks curiously.

He shrugs his shoulders. “I’m not interested in going back. Ryker here says I am more than welcome in his pack.”

Nolan looks thoughtful for a moment. “I think that’s great if you want to become part of this pack, but I’m going to offer you to come join my pride. Being with shifters is great, but a lion needs a pride.”

“Can I think about it?” Matt asks hesitantly.

Nolan nods his head. “Of course. The offer is open. Even if you decide months down the line. We don’t turn any shifter away.”

“That’s how it should be, no matter what type of shifter you are. I am hoping to bring that change forward now that I’m pack alpha,” Ryker says.

“That’s good to hear. The other asshole wasn’t worth my time. That’s why I never came here in hopes to see my son. He wanted a favour that he could call in at any moment if I wanted on pack lands. Can’t say I’m sorry to see him go,” Nolan says.

“None of us were sorry to see him go, along with every shifter who thought like him. This is a whole new pack,” Ryker states.

“Good,” Nolan says.

Throughout the afternoon, we get to know Deke’s family and they decide to stay for a couple days to take in the sights before heading back home. Deke doesn’t let his cub leave his sight. I can’t help but smile that they are already forming a bond.

I can’t wait for the day that Isaac and I have little pups running around. A smile comes to my face at the thought.

First, I need to claim him.

I can feel myself being ready.

Max asks to talk to me before we leave, so Isaac gives me a kiss and heads home. I don’t sense any jealousy anymore, which is good because I don’t want to lose a friend.

Max and I take a walk around the pack lands. He’s quiet for a long time before he finally speaks.

“I’d like to say I’m sorry for how things worked out, but I know everything happened as it was supposed to,” he starts.

“Sometimes there is a plan bigger than us,” I state.

He nods his head. “There is. I just want you to know I wanted you to be my mate, but I knew that there was a fated mate out there for me and I wanted to try and find her. I didn’t want to run the risk of mating you and then finding her. The pull is strong, and I couldn’t leave you with that kind of hurt.”

“I know all of this. I get it. You don’t need to explain,” I tell him before he can say anymore.

“Does he make you happy?” he asks me while stopping to look into my eyes.

“Yes. I didn’t realise how happy he made me until I almost lost him. There isn’t a doubt about it now,” I say.

“Good. That’s all I ask,” he says before walking once again.

I tell him everything we had done together, leaving out the dirty parts, and he seems happy that we are getting to know one another. When I tell him about the theatre and pool in Isaac’s house, he says that we have to invite him and our friends there immediately, causing me to laugh. I tell him that I will talk to Isaac when I get home.

He tells me that he found his mate, but he’s unsure if she will give him a chance. I tell him just to give it time. Everything will work out.

It seems to be a conversation we needed. When I find out about his mate, I don’t even feel a hint or jealousy or envy. I truly hope he is happy with her.

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