Page 3 of Bah Humbug Mate

“Well, the first was that you come to Toronto to meet with me. I think your grandmother was hoping you’d feel some kinship to this place.”

“Why? I’ve never been to Toronto before. My family and herd were killed in a devastating fire a long time ago in the Northwest Territory. Why is it my grandmother is only now looking for me? The days of my needing her or her herd have long since passed.”

“Your grandmother had been looking for you or any sign of you since she learned you had survived.”

“Doesn’t matter. But I’ll tell you upfront if one of the conditions is I stay here in Toronto, you can tell Rudy it’s all his. My home, and those I call family, are in Mystic River.”

“You remaining here was a wish of your grandmother’s, not a condition of your inheritance.”

“So, how many conditions are there to this inheritance? Granted, it’s a large sum of money, but I’m not inclined to disrupt my entire life just to get my hands on it.”

The lawyer chuckled. In spite of himself, Dash was beginning to like the lawyer who’d indicated he preferred being called Blitz. He was sure there were some who saw it as a rugged name, but Dash was willing to bet it was short for Blitzen.

“Your grandmother and I were friends long before your father drove your mother away from her origin herd and took her to the far north. There were those who worried that it would destroy the legacy, but it didn’t. I can tell you both your grandparents wanted your father’s head mounted on a wall. Your father truly loved your mother. It was said they were fated mates.”

Dash smiled. He hadn’t allowed himself to think about his parents for years. “They died when I was so young. I barely remember them, except for my mother telling me they were fated mates, and I should wait for my fated mate to appear and then hold onto her with everything I had. Sweet story, but we all know that whole fated mates legend is just that—legend. I think it’s something the apex predators made up to justify their kidnapping and subjugation of the females they force into pair bondings.”

“Spoken like a young man who has never been in love,” said the lawyer with an indulgent smile. “Take it from an old man who has been blissfully mated to his wife for longer than you’ve been alive, legend or not, the phenomenon of fated mates is real.”

“Or maybe just a man who likes to indulge in romantic fantasies.”

“Maybe. That’s the worst thing about all of this. I wish you had the time to find your fated mate and to fall in love, but a time limit is also part of the condition.”

The small hairs all along the back of his neck started to rise. Dash was beginning to get a bad feeling about this. “So, how many conditions are there?”

“Basically two. The first, as I said, was to come to Toronto.”

“And second?”

“You are to take a mate.”

“Fuck this. That’s what you dragged me all the way from Alaska for? Are you fucking serious? Was my grandmother out of her ever-loving mind? She can’t make that a condition of her will.”

“I assure you, she can. I can also assure you Rudy is counting on this reaction. He wants to inherit so he can flex his muscles and become leader of the herd. The herd will not flourish under his leadership. Your grandmother could be a hard woman, but she never made decisions without putting the well-being of the herd first. I can assure you that will be the last thing on Rudy’s mind.”

“How long do I have to stay married?”

“I’m sure her hope was forever, but the will stipulates a minimum of ten years.”

Dash rolled his eyes and groaned. This was the most insane thing he’d ever heard, but still something about what the lawyer said about Rudy struck him as truthful. He might not know those in his grandmother’s herd, but could he really just walk away and leave them hurting?

“And there is a deadline for when this has to be accomplished,” continued the lawyer.

“Of course, there is,” said Dash, closing his eyes and leaning his head back. “What is it? Valentine’s Day?”

“I’m afraid not,” said the lawyer. Dash opened his eyes and looked at the lawyer. “The winter holiday. This winter holiday.”

“What do you mean I need to be mated by the winter holiday? Are you kidding me?” Dash said standing before beginning to pace back and forth in Blitz’s office.

“Look, Dash, I didn’t write the damn will. Well, I guess technically I did, but your grandmother was very particular. Even after all these years, she was still angry your mother left the herd. So, if you want to inherit what is rightfully yours and protect your family’s legacy, you need to be married by the holiday deadline.”

Which is?”

“December 24th.”

“You aren’t serious.”

“I’m afraid I am. Your grandmother took these kinds of things seriously.”

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