Chapter 5

“I’m sorry, that particular chair is not for sale, but we do have other furniture by the same designer in the shop. Would you like to see them?”

Isobel looked at the bubbly blonde lady and then back at the outdoor solid wood rocker rocking chair. An image of a wolf howling at the moon burned at the top of the chair. Seeing the rocking chair in the display window of the souvenir and outdoor shop had reminded her of her grandfather. She had walked into the shop to take a closer look at the handcrafted rocker, picturing her grandfather enjoying the scene of the mountains from the rocker with his favorite cigar in his hand.

“It’s okay. I was just admiring the hand craftsmanship,” Isobel answered the lady.

“This woodworker’s designs are exquisite. You sure you don’t want to see more of them. He sells them here exclusively. You wouldn’t get them anywhere else.”

The bell on top of the front door pinged as two people walked in.

“I won’t min-”

“Oh! The designer just walked in. He’s a local here.” The shop lady interrupted Isobel. “Kyle! We have a customer that loves your rocking chair. Maybe you can convince her to buy something.”

A flush creeped across her cheeks. The image of her kissing him and then fleeing flashed in her mind. She hadn’t meant to kiss him. Her main goal was to take care of her grandfather’s cabin and paint. Nothing more. 

Kyle strode toward them wearing pale blue jeans and a dark green plaid flannel shirt that darkened his brown eyes- that were laser focused on her. Behind him followed a guy with raven hair and eyes the lightest shade of blue. Isobel couldn’t help but marvel at the new stranger’s captivating eyes. A quiet threatening sound emerged from deep within Kyle’s throat. 

“Woah boy, simmer down,” the stranger whisper-hissed, patting gently on Kyle’s shoulder. Stopping near them, Kyle shrugged off the offending hand. Isobel’s eyes cut quickly to Kyle, shocked at his deep growl. It sounded like it came from an angry wolf.

“Good morning, Mrs Rice,” Kyle greeted the shop lady. “Hi Isobel.” The heat burning in his chocolaty depths warmed her cheeks even more.

Her lips gently curled at the corners of her mouth. “Morning Kyle. And who is your friend?” She gestured to Nick.

Kyle’s eyes narrowed. His lips thinned. “And why do you want to know him?”

A gasp escaped from Mrs Rice. “Kyle! How rude!” She swatted him on the arm. “That my dear is Nick. He’s Kyle’s friend. Or so I thought.”

Isobel held out her hand for Nick to shake. “Hello Nick, I’m Isobel.”

Nick stood a few feet away from them. He nodded his head but didn’t shake her hand. “Hello Isobel, nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.” He smirked, while side-eyeing Kyle. The tips of Kyle’s cheeks turned a ruddy color. 

“And it’s okay, Mrs Rice. Kyle hasn’t been himself lately.” Nick continued. Bumping Kyle’s shoulder with his own.

Mrs Rice chuckled. “As I was saying Kyle. You should show Isobel some of your works in the shop. Convince her to buy something.”

“I’m fine, Mrs Rice. I just wanted to look at the rocking chair. Now if you’ll excuse me I have to go buy some groceries.” She walked past Kyle and Nick, giving them a  small wave goodbye.

The bell above the door rang as Kyle came after her outside the store.

“Isobel, stop.”

The truck keys jingled as she removed them from her jean pocket. Leaning against the driver’s door, she waited for him to get closer.

“Are the porch steps okay? Not giving you any trouble?” he asked.

“No. And they look great by the way. They will help sell my granddaddy’s cabin.”

“Sell? Are you not staying?”

“Staying? No, I have an exhibition coming up soon in Seattle. I just came here to paint and clear out grandfather’s mementos. The rest I’ll sell with the cabin.”

Kyle rubbed the back of his neck, before dragging his hand through his hair repeatedly, making his hair stand up. “You can’t leave.”

“What?” she asked in disbelief.

“I mean, I just met you and I’d like to get to know you more.”

A soft smile crossed her face. “The estate agent said it’ll be a month before they’ll be able to sell the cabin. We’ll have a month to get to know each other. Speaking of, how about I cook you dinner tonight? I promise I won’t try to kiss you again.”

His eyebrow arched. “Don’t make that promise.”

Her cheeks burned from his heated stare. She looked away from him to get some reprieve from his dark gaze. “I have to go,” she mumbled out.

Kyle leaned in, her chin tipped up, waiting for his lips to meet hers, but the driver’s door popped open behind her. Kyle had opened the door for her.

“Oh,” she said, disappointment blooming in her chest.

“I’ll see you later,” he said as she settled in the driver’s seat. His head dropped down to hers and his firm lips brushed hers, softly, delicately. He pulled back before she could deepen the kiss.

His knuckles rapped on the driver’s door twice before walking off toward the souvenir shop.

Kyle’s wolf pressed against his skin, a growl rumbling through him. How can she leave? He couldn’t let her leave. She was his. It was good that the estate agent was a wolf shifter and a member of his community. He’ll have to talk to him to delay her sale. Kyle thought he had time to woo her but it turned out that time was not on his side. Not only was his mate thinking of leaving but his father was getting impatient with him.

His father called him to his study after breakfast. Greyston’s study was decorated in stained wood furniture—most of which was designed by Kyle and dark brown leather chairs. His father settled in a leather wingback chair. “You haven’t been around for a couple of breakfasts, what’s been keeping you busy?”

Kyle stood by the entrance, he stepped into the study and closed the door. “I’ve been running through the woods, thinking about the mating arrangement you’ve made with Laura.”

“And? What about it? It’s a done deal son. All you have to do is claim her.”

“I’ve been waiting my whole life for my fated mate. You and mother know this. Why did you go to the Danvers and make the mating agreement?”

Greyston chuckled. “Fated mate? That was just a fantasy we allowed you when you were just a pup, now you are the next Alpha, you have to let go of childish fantasies.”

“It’s not a fantasy. Fated mates are true. Why do you think the birth rates have been going down lately? It’s because we’ve abandoned the Goddess and the mates she gives us.”

“There hasn’t been a fated mate pair in three decades now. It’s the Goddess that’s abandoned us. We need the Moonvalley pack to strengthen our numbers. How many times have I told you that? The minute the northern packs see our weakness they will attack and you will die.”

“What if I’ve met my fated mate? What if I know who she is?”

Greyston’s mouth slackened, his eyes widened. “Have you?”

“I believe so, and she’s human.”

“Human?! Have you marked her? Knotted her?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Then how do you know? You can only knot with your true mate. And why would the Goddess join you with a human?”

“I don’t know. But my wolf has already claimed her as his. And so have I.”

“Until you’ve marked her and knotted her, this is all speculation. The Moonvalley alliance is a sure thing. Something we can’t fuck up! Either, make sure this human is your fated mate, or get ready to mate with Laura.”

“Yes, Alpha.” Kyle lowered his head in submission. His father grunted to indicate that he could leave his study.

Kyle left, wondering how he will get his mate and appease his father.