Chapter 27

Mabel's POV

Tyler's disbelief smacked him in the face. How could Zane have found his mate? Yet, there was no other explanation for his strange behavior.

"If that girl is really his mate, why hasn’t he said anything?" Tyler's voice was sharp with confusion.

Vivian rolled her eyes, the movement speaking volumes. "Because it's Zane. You know he won’t admit it even if you shove it in his face. But think about it. One minute, he’s itching to leave, and the next, we’re staying put. You remember that video, right? Lydia naked, begging for him to take her... and Zane just left her like that. Since when does Zane turn down a free offer? And then there's the tour of the Silverwood pack—he used to avoid that like the plague. And when we saw him in the car with her... sticking close to her, being all gentle? Come on, Tyler. The only possible answer here is that he's found his mate."

Tyler's mind churned with the implications. Vivian wasn’t wrong. Everything she said pointed to one thing: Zane had found his mate, even if he wasn’t owning up to it.

"You know Zane wouldn't risk angering the Silverwood pack," Vivian continued, pointing to the phone, her eyes fixed on him. "He wouldn't smuggle in some random girl. She’s either his long-lost sister or his mate."

The memory of how he felt when he first met Vivian rushed back. The obsession to be with her, to claim her, nothing else mattered—not even war.

A bitter chuckle escaped Tyler’s lips, a wicked glint in his eyes. "Oh, Zane doesn’t want to admit it? Let’s see how long he can keep that up."

Vivian gave him a look that made Tyler pause. She knew him too well. She could see the gears turning behind his eyes—the scheming. She didn’t like it.

"What are you thinking?" Vivian asked, her voice hesitant but curious.

Tyler smirked, rubbing his chin. "For now, we watch. Let’s see how this plays out."

He wasn’t about to tell Vivian the whole plan. She’d worry. Tyler knew that for sure. But he couldn’t help himself. Zane had been a pain ever since he found Vivian, and Tyler had an opportunity to get back at him.

But something about the situation bothered him. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Mabel—if she was really Zane’s mate—was distant. Almost indifferent toward him. Was it possible she didn’t even know he was her mate?

Zane had mentioned something was "off" about Mabel’s wolf, but Tyler’s sharp nose could tell she was definitely a werewolf. Nothing seemed wrong with her—maybe she was just a late bloomer.

But if she was indeed Zane’s mate, there were so many ways Tyler could stir up trouble. And Zane being in denial? That would make things so much easier for him.

Tyler's lips curled into a grin as he mulled over his next steps. He could drive a wedge between them or make Zane think there was someone else in the picture. The idea of seeing Zane squirm with jealousy was tempting, too tempting to resist.

Vivian’s gaze shifted to Tyler as he lost himself in his thoughts. She could see the way his face twisted into something wicked, and a sense of unease crept into her chest. She didn’t like the look in his eyes. She knew her husband. Zane and Tyler, leaders of the largest pack in North America, sometimes acted no better than children, especially when it came to each other.

But Tyler’s childishness only went so far. He was cunning and dangerous. If Zane’s mate was truly here, Tyler wouldn’t hesitate to mess with him, and if he could hurt Zane in the process, he would.

Vivian disconnected the call, giving Zane and Mabel the privacy they needed. She understood the excitement of finding a mate—it was a moment of true connection for any werewolf. And Vivian was glad for Zane. He deserved that happiness beneath his gruff exterior.

But Mabel—Vivian couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for her. She was about to step into a world of chaos, with Zane as her mate. And even if she did have the chance to become Luna, she had no idea what she was walking into.

Tyler’s voice broke her thoughts. "I don’t think Zane will wake her up anytime soon. We’ve probably got a few hours."

Tyler’s smile was mischievous, and Vivian could feel his intentions before he even voiced them.

She shook her head, knowing exactly what he was thinking. But Vivian couldn’t help but smile. If they were going to make use of the time in the hotel, it better be worth their while.

Mabel’s eyes fluttered open, the remnants of a strange dream still lingering in her mind. She was in a forest, the air light and fresh, despite the towering trees around her. The smell of chocolate filled her senses, and her stomach growled loudly.

Chocolate? She hadn’t had that in years.

Mabel’s feet moved instinctively toward the scent, her hunger driving her forward. She slowed to a walk but then couldn’t help herself—she broke into a full sprint, the smell growing stronger, urging her to follow it.

Then, out of nowhere, a tree appeared in front of her, and she slammed right into it, arms and legs flailing.

"Aww…" she muttered, and her eyes snapped open.

The forest was gone. The tree? Just a memory. Mabel groaned in frustration. She was awake, and the dream was over.

Except... something was still off. She could still smell the forest and the chocolate, and she realized she was not in her bed. She wasn’t even alone.

A sharp, terrifying realization hit her. She wasn’t hugging a tree; she was pressed against Zane.

What the hell?

Mabel tried to shift away, only to find herself stuck. Zane’s arm was around her, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t move.

Great. This was the third time in one day.

She tried to remember how she ended up in this mess, but her last memory was of dozing off in the back of the car. And now she was here, in this unknown room, with Zane’s hard body pressed up against hers.

Mabel swallowed hard and found herself staring at Zane. She couldn’t help it—he was… well, he was stunning. The soft mess of raven-black hair, the strong jawline, those full lips, even the small bump on his nose.

It should be illegal to be that handsome, Mabel thought, unable to stop herself.

But she immediately shook the thought away. She couldn’t think of him that way—not when she knew nothing about him, not when she had no future with him.

Her heart pounded. She was nothing to him. She couldn’t let herself think any differently.