Catherine Galhart had saved herself for the only man she ever paid attention to, only for fate to crush her young heart when he came home with his fated mate in his arms. Lost and heartbroken, she ran and hid as she slowly picked up her broken pieces.

But when she thought everything was finally falling into place and she was ready to accept the love she felt she deserved, life threw another reality in her face — a destiny she could never escape.

Will she finally cave in and let fate take control of her life? Or will she keep fighting for the life she knew she wanted from the very beginning?

Join Catherine as she embarks on the journey from love lost to self-discovery, family, and friendship to finding a love worth fighting for.

*****

THE ALPHA BLOOD CIRCLE:

Book 1: She's The Luna I Want

Book 2: The Beta and I

Although this book can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading Book 1 to understand the characters and the concept of the Claiming.

*****

Follow me on my I G and F B for updates and teasers - author.cassa.m

Prologue

My heart shattered into a thousand pieces at the sight in front of me. I had no idea that this kind of pain existed until tonight.

The day I’d been dreading finally came — the day that he would find his fated mate. And it was not me.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

A YEAR AGO.

Catherine - 17

Tyler - 20

CATHERINE.

I couldn’t sleep. That was nothing new. I usually stay up late to watch movies or read books. But tonight, I was laying in bed and staring at the ceiling, waiting for my brother, Jace, and his Beta, Tyler, to come home, like I always do whenever they attend galas where many Alpha Females will be in attendance.

I wanted assurance that Tyler would come home mateless.

Yes, I’d been crushing on my brother’s Beta since I became aware of the word "mates."

Tyler and I grew up together. And everyone around us thought we would end up together as fated mates. My birthday will be in two months. Something I had always looked forward to. I couldn’t wait to see if I would get mated with Tyler.

I’d been praying for it for a long time, and like Mom always said, the Goddess listens to our heart’s deepest desires. So all this time, I was keeping my hopes high.

My body stirred awake at the sound of an approaching car. I had no idea that I had fallen asleep. It was a good thing that I left the window open so I could hear them.

I shoved my blanket off my body and rose to my feet before rushing to the window. That was Jace’s car, and another one was behind his.

They were back, but my room was in a position where I couldn’t see them perfectly.

I rushed and slipped on my sneakers before taking one last look at myself in my vanity mirror, then dashed to the door and to the big window along the corridor.

The view of the packhouse ground was not that clear from the fourth floor with the absence of lights and many trees surrounding it, but I was able to see a female stepping out of the second car.

I squinted my eyes for a better look, but before I could see any male beside her, the Gamma’s gaze went up to where I was, and I immediately hid myself.

I walked away from the window and instead went to the stairs. I wanted to know who she was. I was sure she was not Jace’s mate because if she were, she would be sitting in his car, not in the convoy.

My heart clenched in pain, knowing she could be Tyler’s mate. Or the warriors with them.

Please, Goddess, let it be the latter.

I tried to control the beating of my heart as I walked down the stairs, but my body was a traitor. Instead, it thumped so hard that it seemed like it would jump out of my chest.

And then I heard voices. It only meant they were inside the house already.

I was walking down the last flight of stairs when they all came into view, and it made me stop from taking another step.

My heart shattered into a thousand pieces at the sight in front of me. I had no idea that this kind of pain existed until tonight.

My brother’s Beta, the man of my dreams, the only man I ever paid attention to, was holding a female in his arms.

My eyes darted to her neck, and seeing the fresh mark of a fated mate had shot daggers right into the depths of my soul, as if my heart being broken was not enough. The pain kept coming as if it needed to crush what was left of my sanity.

The Goddess didn’t favor me this time. The Goddess chose her over me.

The air stilled as a smile slowly curled onto my lips as I walked down the remainder of the stairs and stopped in front of them.

The female smiled at me as if she hadn’t taken away the only person who was keeping my heart beating.

She laid out a hand before she introduced herself. "Hi, my name is Zoey. I’m Beta Tyler’s mate."

Tyler’s mate.

I already knew it when I saw her mark, but hearing it was still equally painful.

I should hate her. I should have walked away because she stole the title I had dreamed of having from the very beginning.

Tyler was supposed to be my mate.

Mine.

I took her hand and shook it, the smile still on my face, and for some reason, the tears that I thought would come didn’t.

"I’m pleased to meet you, Zoey. I’m Catherine. Alpha Jace’s sister." I wanted to pat myself on the back for the strength in my voice when everything inside me was crumbling.

I immediately withdrew my hand and placed it on my back, so she wouldn’t see that my hands had begun to tremble.

"I’m glad there’s another female around here. As Tyler told me, the Alpha and Gamma are not mated yet." She smiled before she gazed lovingly at Tyler.

"Yes..." I had no idea what to say anymore. "Welcome to the family."

I let my eyes stay on her face because I knew if I looked at Tyler or my brother, I would end up crying.

But I was putting my big girl pants on as I kept all the pain inside my heart and welcomed Tyler’s mate into my arms when she offered a hug.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

The Beta is not mine.

He was never mine in the first place.

"Why are you still awake?" Tyler’s deep baritone voice rattled my whole being, making my knees weak. I always gave the same answer when he asked me this. I would tell him, of course, that I was waiting for him to come home. But I couldn’t say that anymore.

My eyes darted to Austin as I withdrew from hugging Zoey.

“I thought I’d talk with Austin about my schedule tomorrow.” I finally answered without taking my eyes off my cousin, who was also my brother’s Gamma.

"Oh, so you and Austin?" Zoey said, her voice sounding so happy.

"No way," Austin chuckled before he moved beside me and placed an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his side. "This girl here is my favorite cousin."

"Oh, sorry…" She smiled sheepishly, and I was still trying to find something to hate about her, but I couldn’t.

But I knew I still hated her.

"I think we should call it a night." My brother finally spoke. "We can talk about everything tomorrow."

"Thank you, Alpha. I’m tired too, so I just want to rest." Zoey stated.

Of course, she wanted time with him. Alone.

I waited for Austin to say his usual spiel about fucking or sex, as he would in instances similar to this, but it never came.

Was he feeling my pain too?

Zoey and Tyler excused themselves, and I just nodded my head, smiling at Zoey but refusing to look at Tyler until they were out of my sight.

I saw Jace and Austin follow their movement up the stairs, and when the footsteps were not that loud anymore, they moved their gazes back at me.

Jace’s eyes softened, as did Austin’s.

I raised my hand and pointed a finger, shaking it as tears filled my eyes. "I’m okay, don’t say anything."

But the tears I was trying to stop still fell from my eyes when my brother’s arms wrapped around me, pulling me into his chest.

I finally let out the cry I was trying to fight off as I gripped his shirt tightly.

No one said a word, but I could see Austin looking at us, his hand on his waist as he brushed his hair with his other hand, and the pain was evident on his face.

I closed my eyes as Jace pressed a kiss on my hair.

"You will be fine, Catherine. Tell me what I can do to help." Jace’s voice broke. He was always tough, and his voice never faltered in my presence until tonight.

"I don’t know." I kept swiping my eyes with my hands, but the tears came anyway. "I just want the pain to stop."

CATHERINE.

I wished for the pain to stop, but it never did.

So I took the coward’s way out and left my home and my pack. There was no way I could live in the same house with the female who shattered every dream and fantasy I built around Tyler and me. I had to leave while there was still some sanity left in me.

My name is Catherine Galhart, a second-born Alpha Female from the Galhart clan. My brother, Jackson, is the Alpha of the Black Shadow Pack.

And his Beta — Tyler Salvatore — was my first heartache.

Almost a year ago, I left our pack and traveled to another continent to forget the man who broke my heart.

It was not an easy journey, but I slowly learned to accept that he was not meant for me and that there was someone out there whom the Goddess deemed worthy of my love. One day, when I’m ready to fall in love again, I will meet him.

I waved at the man who held a placard with my name, and he immediately came to help me with my luggage. I just landed at Harley Airport after traveling for almost a year. As much as I was enjoying my freedom, it was time to meet my new sister-in-law, who happened to be my best friend, Amara.

I guess with the heartbreak that happened in my life, my best friend and brother thought I would be too sensitive to hear about them being mated to each other. I was not happy with my fate, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t be happy for them.

But then, I harbored no hard feelings. The retreat I joined taught me about life and acceptance. Everything happens for a reason — the good and the bad. And the difference lies in how we react to it. I refused to let it take me down.

So here I was, surprising my whole family that I was already back in the country. Mom thought I would be arriving in two weeks. Well, I decided I would rather go home and spend time with my newborn nephew than go on another vacation with some of the shifters I met during the retreat.

I decided on the spur of the moment that the only flight I could get would make me reach home by midnight. However, it didn’t matter because I made sure the taxi company I booked with was reputable and run by a shifter who knew Jace and Dad. So if anything happened to me, they would face their wrath.

But in all honesty, I knew I could take care of myself. Even before I left, I had been attending training on weekends, but I always pretended to be weaker than my friends, so I had a reason to make Tyler prioritize looking after me.

But I didn’t have to pretend anymore that I was weak. I needed to stand up for myself. Besides, the morning training and the manual chores we had to do while on retreat helped me with my clumsiness. I was still not perfect or as strong as Amara, but I was sure I could hold my ground.

Plus, I found a new sport that I love: shooting daggers. So stand in my way, and I’ll make sure to hit you in between your eyes.

I chuckled at my own thought. Of course, that was a lie. I was still not good at it, but a girl could dream.

Aside from meeting my nephew, I had to fix my university application in Bernice City, four hours away from our territory. I hadn’t told my parents about it, but I guess at eighteen, I would be free to decide the path I wanted to take. And I wanted to move out and live with my grandparents near the university of my choice.

It was the only way I could fully move on and restart my life without Tyler.

I slid inside the taxi, and as soon as he began driving, I closed my eyes and thought of what Mom told me when I got to speak with her for a few minutes.

Tyler and Zoey separated, and the pup that she carried was not Tyler’s. Mom said he was devastated about the pup, but he was doing his best to move forward.

I had no idea what to feel at the moment. I used to want Tyler for myself, but I didn’t wish for him to have his heart broken.

And maybe this was the main reason I went home earlier than planned — because I wanted to know if I still loved him the same way I did before I left.

------------------

TYLER.

I had been taught to honor the mate bond all my life, and that was exactly what I did. I spent my whole life telling myself that I was not allowed to fall in love with anyone because there was someone meant for me.

And then I finally met Zoey, my fated mate. Within minutes of meeting her, I placed my mark on her skin. I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought there was no way I would not end up falling in love with my fated mate.

It was too late when I realized that after the high of scenting her had calmed down, there was another side where love needed to grow.

It didn’t happen between me and her.

It had been three weeks since my fated or ex-fated mate and I finally rejected each other.

She left with Garrett, the son that I thought was mine. Although I had been waiting for almost a year for Zoey and me to finally break our bond, I was not prepared to lose Garrett.

All along, I thought he was mine, and up until this moment, I was still having a hard time coming to terms with it. But life needed to move on, although everyone I wanted in my life was gone. I was now left with nothing.

Before I met Zoey, my eyes and heart were enamored by just one female — Catherine—my Alpha’s sister. But I didn’t entertain any thoughts of her, although deep in my heart, I prayed that she would end up as my mate. But the Goddess had a different plan.

"You’re drinking again. Does it help?" Gamma Austin’s voice snapped me from my thoughts. My head tilted in the direction of the voice, and I found him leaning on the door frame of my office at the training building.

I’ve been spending more time here lately, bringing all the paperwork I needed to avoid seeing Colton, the Alpha and Luna’s son. Seeing him would always end up reminding me of Garrett.

"You tell me. Do you think I didn’t know you’d been drinking yourself every night?"

"My life is a mess. I fucked up. I have every reason to drown myself in alcohol, which we both know doesn’t help. It only makes me think more of everything I should have done right from the beginning."

"Like what?"

"Tell Lexi I was excited to father the pup she was carrying instead of saying I was not ready."

"But if that’s not how you feel at that time, how would you end up saying that?"

"I don’t know, man, like I said. I messed up. And I’m just waiting for the suspension to take effect."

"What do you plan to do for the next six months?"

"Try to come closer to them."

"You can only do that if she hasn’t filed a restraining order against you for that bullshit you made."

"I know. That’s why I’m just waiting until she gives me a go signal." He let out a sigh before he continued. "I’m going back to the packhouse. I have an early day tomorrow as I will transition my duties to Marshall."

"It’s just six months, Austin."

"I know. And I know I deserve more. I need those six months to think about where I want my life to go. I just want to take them home."

"She’s not your fated mate."

"I don’t know. I think I will be okay with Lexi."

"If she will let you."

"Exactly, if she will let me. A man’s got to try."

"If you’re doing it for David, I suggest you stop. Think about it. There is nothing worse than getting stuck in a relationship where you don’t feel anything about your partner."

He didn’t answer and just gave me a nod before he walked out of the office with slumped shoulders while I refilled my glass with whiskey.

I closed my eyes, and Catherine’s image flashed in my head. Ever since Zoey and I rejected each other, I finally let myself think of Catherine often. I didn’t have to feel guilty anymore.

A smile tugged at my mouth as I rested my hands on the top of my head and leaned back in my chair before raising my feet on my desk. I missed my little tyke.

She’d be home in two weeks. It had been far too long since the last time I saw her, and even though I messed up when I called her while I was too drunk, I held on to the hope that she had forgiven me, as she had all the other times I had disappointed her.

I spent another two hours in my office before finally calling it a night. I was sure that by this time, the Alpha and his family were already in their suite. Not that I didn’t want to see them, but nighttime was harder, so I would rather not see them before I go to bed.

I took one full swig of the whiskey before turning off the lights and locking my office door. The whole training area was deserted except for a few warriors who were patrolling this area. I acknowledged their greeting as I walked straight ahead to the packhouse.

My head was buzzing, and I just wanted to sleep, but for some reason, my wolf, Black, became restless in my head. ‘Calm down, boy. We’re home soon, and you can sleep.’ I chuckled as I turned the corner that would lead me home.

I saw Meynard’s car pulling out of the driveway, and it made my forehead crease. He was manning the border tonight, so what was he doing here? Then I decided to shrug it off. The Alpha probably asked him something. And before I could contemplate more, my nose smelled her.

She’s here.

CATHERINE.

"Catherine?" His voice reached my ears, and the loud thumping of my heart became louder.

It had been too long since I heard his voice, but I had memorized it so well that I would still know it was him, even in my sleep. I slowly turned around from the top of the steps and locked my eyes with the man who gave me my first heartache.

"Hi!" It was the only thing that came out of my throat.

"You came back early." A broad smile was on his lips, which made the dimples on the sides of his cheeks appear. The same smile that would always make my knees weak

"Yeah…"

"I thought you were coming home in two weeks." He began walking up, and the moment he landed on the top step, I moved backward, which stopped him from moving forward.

I saw pain cross his eyes, but I ignored it. "I want to surprise Amara."

"I see." He opened his arms and smiled widely again. "Welcome home, little tyke."

Little tyke. Little rascal. He would call me that when we were younger, as I always ended up getting into messes, and he would always come to save me.

But surely things are different now.

And instead of scooting into his arms as I usually did whenever he offered a hug, I remained in my place. I smiled warmly at him, cocking my head to the side. "Thank you, Beta Tyler. I’ll go inside, as I want to check if they’re still awake."

He nodded his head and slowly dropped his arms to his sides. "Sure."

I grabbed my luggage and was about to turn around when he grabbed it from my hand, and his skin brushed against mine. "I’ll carry this to your room."

I held my breath and did my best not to show him that he could still affect me. "Thank you, but it’s nothing big." I answered and pulled it away from his hold.

I began walking toward the entrance of the packhouse, not giving him a second look, only to stop when I reached the door.

I turned around and found him still looking at me. "I’m sorry about Zoey and Garrett."

I didn’t know why I said that, except that I was sorry that he was feeling pain. I’d been there, and I could only imagine his pain at losing both people he loved.

He just gave me a nod, and I immediately turned around and walked inside the house and up the stairs, hurrying to get out of his sight because one more second in front of him, I might end up rushing into his arms.

As soon as I reached the last stairs going to the fourth floor, where my room was, I held on to the railings before closing my eyes and trying to steady my breathing.

He could still affect me. And damn my heart, I still wanted him.

I wiped the tears from my eyes before I dragged my luggage to my room. I needed to be strong. I wanted Tyler, but I wanted him to like me because of me, not because I was the only one left available for him.

After I left my things inside my room, I headed to the new suite with double doors on this floor. I was sure this was Amara and Jace’s new room. As much as I just wanted to lay in bed and cocoon myself under my blanket, I couldn’t step back and start from zero again.

I was already doing so well.

Jace and Amara were surprised to see me, but after the initial shock, we hugged, and they let me carry my adorable nephew, Colton.

“Are you back for good?” Jace asked.

“No. I’m moving out. I’ll stay with Grandpa Jason. I want to go to university there.” I answered in a firm voice, letting him know that my decision was final.

“Are you sure? Does Mom know about this? We have a university near the territory.”

“I haven’t told Mom and Dad, but I think it’s for the best.”

“Zoey is no longer here, Cat,” he added. “There’s no more reason for you to move out.”

“But Tyler is here,” I answered almost immediately because it was the truth. I wanted him, yet I didn’t want him around me.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“We’re both healing from our own pain, and I don’t want the circumstances to push us together. I am okay now. I just need to be consistent. I will come home when I’m ready.”

“So there’s no chance for you and Tyler?” He asked.

“Are you pushing me into your Beta?”

“No, it’s not like that. I just thought there was a possibility….”

“Let him rest from his pain. He can’t enter another relationship just a few weeks after the last one. So only time will tell. His separation from Zoey doesn’t mean I will have a place in his heart. I don’t want to be someone’s rebound or because they no longer have a choice. I deserve someone who will choose me for me.”

“Cathy…” Jace wanted to say something, but I cut him off.

“And I have a mate somewhere. I just need to find him or for him to find me.” I was so impressed with the words coming out of my mouth as if I already had my life planned out. Maybe for some time, I did, but seeing Tyler tonight slowly crumbled my walls.

He was still my weakness, but I couldn’t do this again. I needed to be away from him.

SIX MONTHS LATER.

TYLER.

I puffed the cigarette in my hand as I stared at the darkness in front of me. I was standing outside Jason and Jessica’s home in Bernice City.

Alpha Jace and Luna Amara, together with their son Colton wanted to visit their grandparents and Catherine.

Catherine had been living here since she got back from traveling abroad. She was moving on with her life while I was still stuck in the same place I’d been — still lost and trying to find meaning for my existence.

She rarely visited the territory, and I knew it had something to do with me. I had no idea which was hurting me the most: losing the chance to love her or losing the friendship we had nurtured since childhood.

A car stopped in front of the gate of their home, and Catherine climbed out, giggling, before waving to her friends. I glanced at the clock on my wrist. It was already past six in the evening.

Does the university end classes around this time?

"Tyler?" Her voice came out soft and sweet. I missed that voice.

I tilted my head up to look at her. Her eyes were rounded as if she couldn’t believe she was seeing me, and for a split second, I swear I saw them sparkle under the lights of the street lamps.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"I drove Alpha and Luna here." I threw the cigarette on the ground and stepped on it, her eyes following my movement before she raised her gaze to look at me again.

Jace usually drove here alone with his family since I had to man the territory. But with Austin back on his post, I volunteered to come with them so I could see her.

"I didn’t know you smoked."

"There are many things you don’t know about me anymore." I forced a chuckle.

"Right." She squinted her eyes and pointed a finger at me, flashing me a wide smile before she began walking toward the front door. "Catch up on you later! I need to be somewhere soon!" She added before she entered the house, and I was left staring at the door even after she was gone.

She had moved on, and I was still here, wishing she would give me the attention she used to give me.

Before I met my fated mate, everyone in our pack would tell me that Catherine had always harbored feelings for me. They didn’t need to tell me. I knew it all along.

I felt it. I basked in it. But I refused to acknowledge it.

I was taught that I was only meant to be with my fated mate and that rejection should never be an option. So I kept my hands off her. I did my best never to cross the friendship line — not to say or do anything that would make her think I had feelings for her.

But I loved Catherine.

I did love Catherine in my own way. I loved her enough that I didn’t want to crush her heart if she didn’t turn out to be my fated mate. But I kept praying for her.

And then I failed. Even with me not reciprocating the love and attention she was giving me, I still hurt her the day I brought home my fated mate.

It was only fitting that she was distancing herself from me. I was not the same man that I used to be. I was just a remnant of the Tyler that she liked. I had no idea how I would bring her attention back to me because I had nothing more to offer her.

I was still lost in my own thoughts when a cab stopped in front of the gate, and two females in sexy outfits came out and waved at me.

I was about to ask them if they needed anyone from the house when the front door opened, and Catherine came out wearing a little black dress that almost hid nothing. It wasn’t lewd, but she looked so fucking beautiful and sexy that it was taking a lot for me not to let out a growl.

Where did she think she was going wearing that short dress? If she moved or raised her arms, the dress would probably hike up to her ass.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"One of the jocks at the university is throwing a party, and we are invited."

"Is he your brother?" One of the females with blonde hair asked.

"No. He’s my brother’s best friend." She answered right away.

"Oh, the divorcee!" The black-haired female gasped, but I saw how she fluttered her eyelashes at me. Her response made my brows rise.

Divorcee. That sounded weird, but I guess it was a term in the human world that explained my situation perfectly.

"Enough, enough! Leave him alone." Catherine said as she opened the small gate.

"He’s too handsome to be alone, Cat!" The blonde stated.

"So, at this party you are going to, is a plus one allowed?" I asked the two females while ignoring the way Catherine was ignoring me.

"Do you want to join us? You can be mine!" The blonde girl volunteered on the spot.

"Or mine!" And the other one as well.

Catherine’s mouth dropped open, but I answered immediately before she could reject the idea. "I would take that offer since I’m bored tonight."

Catherine was about to say something, but I had already pushed the gate open and gone to the taxi waiting for them.

"How much do they owe you?" I asked, and he showed me the meter before scratching his head. I knew he was disappointed as I was cutting his job, so I paid him triple the amount showing on his meter.

I asked the females if they didn’t have anything inside the taxi, and when they confirmed that they had all their belongings with them, I tapped the taxi roof, and he drove off with a big smile on his face.

"We’ll take my car, so we can leave anytime you want to go home," I told them.

"We’re up for an all-nighter! But you can’t drink and drive!" The blonde girl said.

"I don’t get drunk easily, but if it makes you feel safer, I won’t drink tonight."

"What a gentleman! Lindsey…" She extended her hand, and I shook it, and she was followed by the black-haired female who introduced herself as Cindy.

"My name is Tyler," I told them as I slowly backed away. "Give me a minute to pick up my jacket."

But the truth was, I just wanted to personally tell Jace I would come with Catherine. We were staying overnight, so I also wanted to make sure I was not needed here.

Catherine was still not saying anything, but I didn’t let her deter me from joining them because there was no way I was letting her out of sight wearing that tiny cloth tonight.

I drove with Catherine on the passenger side, but it was Lindsey who was dominating the conversation.

By the end of the ride, she was already aware I had been single for seven months and had not dated anyone after my "divorce," while the female beside me remained quiet.

When we arrived at the place, I was already preparing myself that Catherine would abandon me and have fun on her own, but she surprised me when she didn’t leave my side. After she greeted the male celebrating his birthday, we headed to the back garden and sat in the empty corner of the bar.

She ordered Long Island iced tea, but I just asked for cola. I was sure I would not get drunk, but I didn’t want any trouble in human territory. I didn’t want anyone stopping me from driving these females home later, especially Catherine, so I better be careful.

We sat beside each other, but I swiveled my chair so my body was angled toward her. My eyes darted to her neck. She had the necklace I asked Jace to give her on her eighteenth birthday, but he was not to tell her it came from me.

It was a gold necklace with a letter C pendant that I had someone carve using her penmanship for that letter.

She might have noticed my gaze because her hand went to the pendant before a coy smile played on her lips. "Thank you for the necklace."

"What?" I asked. Did Jace tell her it came from me?

"Fine, let’s pretend I didn’t know it came from you." She chuckled.

I didn’t know what to say.

"I know my brother. He never buys gifts in advance, so I always get flowers and chocolates on special occasions."

"But he does now. He plans all his gifts for the Luna way in advance." I chuckled.

"I’m sure that’s exclusively for Amara."

I bit my bottom lip to suppress my smile, but I kept staring at her, especially her lips and how they twitched whenever she talked.

"And let’s pretend I didn’t see a box on your bedside table when you asked me to go to your room to pick up something I was borrowing from you." She said, her brows hiking up. "And that I didn’t open it out of curiosity to see what was inside. I was sure this was the one I saw there."

I chuckled and shook my head, leaning my forearm on the bar. "And you didn’t bother to let me know you’d seen it."

She propped her elbow on the bar and smiled at me. "I loved surprises. Unfortunately, I got the biggest surprise of my life the following day."

I cleared my throat because I was sure the surprise she meant was that I came home with a fated mate.

I didn’t know what to say, but it was a good thing that Lindsey came, throwing her arm around my shoulders, which made Catherine’s eyes squint for a quick second.

"Are you flirting with your brother’s best friend?" She asked her, and I wanted to chuckle, but I kept a poker face.

If she only knew.

"Do you have a problem with that?" Catherine asked coyly.

"You can’t hit on your brother’s best friend. It’s like an unwritten rule."

I turned my head to look at Lindsey. "Did you make up that unwritten rule?"

Catherine giggled before she added. "In case you were unaware, my brother is married to my best friend, so I think..."

"Fine! Fine! I’m out of here. I just thought I could dance with Tyler, but…"

"Go away. We’re busy." Catherine told her playfully.

"So possessive!" Lindsey laughed before she looked at me, motioned with her hand, and mouthed, "Call me."

Her action elicited a giggle from Catherine and made me laugh as well.

As soon as Lindsey was gone, I turned my attention back to her. She was still giggling softly, and for a moment, I was transported back to the time when she was still carefree and relaxed around me.

"I feel you don’t believe she’s interested in me. Do I really look that bad and undesirable?" I teased her.

She stopped laughing, and her eyes widened, making her look innocent in my eyes, and it was making my heart drop. It had been far too long since I had sat in close proximity to her.

"No. I was just protecting you… she changes boyfriends depending on her mood for the day."

"I see. Well, thank you for protecting my heart."

"I always do, Tyler. But you’re not returning the favor."