Page 6 of Broken Mate

Ledger pulled out his phone and snapped a picture of the code. “As soon as I escort the two ladies to the house, I’ll head over to the construction site.”

Jericho held out his hand, and Ledger grasped it. “Again, thank you.”

Ledger bowed his head and tilted to the side, exposing his neck in a sign of deference. Jericho placed a hand on his shoulder, and Ledger straightened.

“Have you thought over my offer to make you beta to the pack?”

“Um. Yeah, but I don’t really know. I mean, it’s a great honor but am I really the right man for the job?”

“Ledger, we’ve been friends for years. You helped me when I thought my days were numbered. There isn’t anyone I’d trust more with my life and my people.”

When Jericho had shown up at the lumberyard years ago, he’d been a broken man, devastated by wolfsbane poisoning. Through the years as he healed, Ledger had run the business as well as helping his alpha regain his strength through exercise, diet, and meditation. He loved Jericho like a brother. Considered him one the greatest alphas he’d ever known.

What else could he say but, “Yeah, okay.”

This wasn’t his first trip to Sheridan, Colorado, and he loved the crisp mountain air. The scents of the forest. As a wolf, he valued the freedom to roam under the full moon, so he had no problem packing up and moving here.

Jericho smiled while Payton stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.

“Then as your first order of business as pack beta, do what she says.” Jericho pointed to his wife. “She’s far scarier than I am.”

She punched his arm, and Jericho flinched like she’d punched him with a steel fist. She rolled her eyes and marched out of the kitchen.

“You’re gonna pay for that,” Ledger warned.

Jericho smiled and winked. “That’s what I’m hoping for.”

Ledger headed upstairs to quickly shower and change clothes. After he dressed and slipped his wallet into his back pocket and grabbed his keys, he hopped into his truck to make his way to the diner. Main Street was busy since tourist season was beginning. Lots of people liked to hike the trails up into the nearby mountain range.

He finally parked in the diner’s parking lot and headed inside. As soon as he opened the door, the smell of cloves surrounded him. It reminded him of baking pies in the fall. Of home. Suddenly, his wolf woke up and pushed forward, wanting to roll around in the scent. He placed a hand over his chest, as if that would hold his beast back, and mentally told his wolf to settle.

Mate!

The word erupted in his head.

She’s here! Find her! Our mate.

He looked around and met the gaze of a young woman. Pale-blonde hair dyed pink and wide blue eyes. An elfin face with delicate features. She was breathtaking. His wolf once more surged forward, and he had to talk his animal down. Everything blurred around his vision, except for her, as an instinct stronger than anything guided him forward. With each step he took toward the woman, her eyes grew even wider, if that was possible.

“You’re here,” he said inanely.

“I am,” she said a bit breathlessly.

He didn’t know what exactly to say. He’d never met his mate before. Obviously. Of course, he hadn’t. He also didn’t know how to act, so he ended up bumbling through the moment.

“Do you, uh, do you know who I am?”

At first, she shook her head, and pain hit his heart. She bit her lip. Then, very slowly, as if it was forced from her, she nodded. His wolf howled in joy. He couldn’t take his eyes off her, and it looked like the same for her. Everything faded around them and all he wanted to do was pick her up and drive her to his home. To protect her. Feed her. Love her. The older woman next to her cleared her throat, and it took everything in his power to move his gaze off his mate.

“Hello,” the woman said, holding out her hand. “I’m Ruby, and this is my niece, Anais.”

“I’m Ledger Klayman,” he replied. Something tugged on his memory and he had to drag his attention from the perfect woman in front of him to the arm crutches leaning against the table. With horror, he realized his mate had been the one betrayed by her family, poisoned, and forced to flee her home. It angered him that someone could treat this transcendent woman in such a horrible manner.

The older woman at the table cleared her throat, and he blinked, seeing that several people stared at him with curiosity.

He cleared his throat, trying hard to push aside the anger at seeing his mate hurt. “I’m, uh, the new beta to the pack.” Immediately, both women bowed their heads. “Please. You both don’t stand on ceremony to me. I am the one humbled.”

The older woman gave him a smile. “Luna Payton called and told me you were greeting us.”

---