CHAPTER 3

Jamie didn't wait for Ryan to say another word.

He turned and walked.

Not quickly.

Not at first.

He forced himself to move like nothing had happened.

Like his wrist wasn't burning.

Like his wolf wasn't screaming inside his head.

Like the man standing behind him hadn't just looked into his eyes and called him—

Mate.

Jamie pushed through the balcony doors.

The moment he stepped outside, he broke into a run.

He barely noticed where he was going.

He crossed the terrace, hurried down the stone steps and disappeared into the garden.

Cold night air struck his face.

He kept going.

Past the fountain.

Past the rows of white roses.

Past the trees lining the edge of the property.

Only when the music from the house became distant did he finally stop.

Jamie bent forward, bracing his hands against his knees.

His lungs burned.

His heart was pounding.

His entire body was shaking.

“No.”

He squeezed his eyes shut.

“No, no, no.”

His wolf answered.

Mate.

“Shut up.”

Mate.

“Stop.”

Mate. Mate. Mate.

Jamie pressed both hands against his head.

“Please.”

His wolf had never behaved like this.

It had always been quiet.

Carefully controlled.

Jamie had spent six years learning how to silence it whenever his instincts became too strong.

But now it refused to listen.

It paced restlessly inside him, desperate to return to the man Jamie had just fled.

Mate.

Jamie hated the word.

Because he understood what it meant.

He had grown up hearing stories about fated mates.

Everyone had.

Children were taught about them as though they were fairy tales.

Two wolves recognizing one another.

An invisible bond.

A connection stronger than ordinary attraction.

A once-in-a-lifetime miracle.

But Jamie had never believed in miracles.

Not after his parents threw him away.

Not after the people who were supposed to love him decided he was an embarrassment.

And definitely not tonight.

Not when his supposed mate was the man engaged to his best friend.

He straightened.

“This is not happening.”

A twig snapped behind him.

Jamie froze.

He didn't need to turn around.

He already knew.

“Jamie.”

Ryan.

Jamie closed his eyes.

Of course.

He turned.

Ryan stood several feet away.

His suit jacket was slightly open now, as though he'd been moving quickly.

His chest rose and fell.

His expression was tense.

His eyes were fixed on Jamie.

Jamie immediately felt his wolf stir.

Mate.

“Don't.”

Ryan stopped.

“I didn't say anything.”

“You didn't have to.”

Jamie pointed toward the house.

“You need to go back inside.”

Ryan frowned.

“Why?”

“Because you're engaged.”

Ryan's jaw tightened.

“I know.”

“To Ethan.”

“I know.”

“Then leave me alone.”

Ryan stared at him.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then Ryan said quietly,

“I can't.”

Jamie laughed bitterly.

“You can.”

“No.”

“Yes, you can.”

Ryan took one step forward.

Jamie stepped back.

Ryan stopped.

His eyes dropped briefly to Jamie's hands.

They were trembling.

Ryan's expression softened.

“I don't understand this either.”

“You seem pretty sure.”

“I know what I felt.”

“So do I.”

Ryan's gaze sharpened.

“Then you know.”

“I know that something happened.”

“Something?”

Jamie shook his head.

“I don't know what you want me to call it.”

“Our wolves recognized each other.”

“Maybe they're wrong.”

Ryan almost looked offended.

“Wolves don't make mistakes like that.”

“You don't know me.”

“No.”

Ryan's voice became quieter.

“But I know what happened when I saw you.”

Jamie looked away.

He didn't want to hear this.

Not from Ryan.

Not when Ethan was inside.

Not when his entire life had already become complicated enough.

Ryan took another cautious step.

Jamie immediately backed away again.

“Don't.”

Ryan stopped.

“Why are you afraid of me?”

“I'm not.”

“You're shaking.”

“It's cold.”

Ryan looked at him.

It wasn't particularly cold.

Jamie hated that he noticed.

“You're lying.”

The word hit Jamie like a physical blow.

His wolf surged.

Mate.

Jamie clenched his fists.

“Don't call me that.”

Ryan's expression tightened.

“Why?”

“Because you're Ethan's fiancé.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you following me?”

“Because you're my mate.”

Jamie laughed again, but there was no humor in it.

“No. I'm not.”

Ryan stared at him.

“You don't get to decide that.”

“I just did.”

“You think you can ignore a mate bond?”

“Yes.”

Ryan's expression became almost incredulous.

“You think it's that simple?”

“Yes.”

“It isn't.”

“Then make it simple.”

Ryan said nothing.

Jamie took a shaky breath.

“Go back inside.”

Ryan didn't move.

“Congratulations on your engagement,” Jamie said. “Marry Ethan. Be happy. Forget this happened.”

Ryan's jaw clenched.

“You really think I can just forget you?”

“You have to.”

“I can't.”

“You even don't know me.”

Ryan stepped closer.

“I know enough.”

Jamie felt the bond pulling at him.

It was subtle.

A pressure beneath his ribs.

Like an invisible thread connecting them.

He hated it.

He hated the way Ryan's presence made his body react.

He hated the way his wolf wanted to move closer.

Most of all, he hated that some part of him wanted to know what Ryan would feel like if he stopped fighting.

Jamie pushed the thought away.

“You're ruining everything.”

Ryan stopped.

“What?”

“You're ruining Ethan's engagement.”

“I didn't ask for this.”

“Neither did I.”

“I know.”

“Then leave.”

Ryan's expression changed.

For the first time, Jamie saw something other than Alpha dominance.

There was frustration there.

Confusion.

And underneath it all—

Fear.

Ryan looked almost as frightened as Jamie felt.

“I didn't know you existed.”

Jamie blinked.

“What?”

“I didn't know Ethan had a best friend.”

Jamie gave him a strange look.

“You've known Ethan for almost two years.”

“I know Ethan.”

Ryan's voice was quiet.

“But I never knew about you.”

“Why?”

“I don't know.”

Jamie stared at him.

Ryan continued.

“I knew about the Hale family home but I didn't know you lived here sometimes. I didn't know you were with Ethan at the university. I didn't know even your name.”

Jamie frowned.

That was strange.

Everyone knew Jamie.

At least, everyone around Ethan did.

Ryan should have known.

Unless—

Ryan had never really been paying attention.

The realization hurt more than it should have.

Maybe Ryan had never been interested in Ethan either.

Maybe the engagement was simply political.

Jamie shook the thought away.

It didn't matter.

Ryan was still Ethan's fiancé.

Ryan's gaze dropped to Jamie's wrist.

The faint silver mark was still there.

Jamie quickly pulled his sleeve down.

Ryan noticed.

“Why are you hiding?”

“Stop.”

Ryan took another step.

Jamie backed away.

“You're making me nervous.”

Ryan immediately stopped.

Something shifted in his expression.

He raised both hands slightly.

“Okay.”

Jamie hadn't expected that.

Ryan didn't move closer.

Instead, he stayed where he was.

“I won't touch you.”

Jamie swallowed.

“Thank you.”

Ryan watched him carefully.

“Tell me something.”

“What?”

“What's your designation?”

Jamie's heart stopped.

There it was.

The question he'd been dreading.

He knew the answer Ryan wanted.

He knew what Ryan's Alpha instincts were already telling him.

But he couldn't tell him.

Not here.

Not tonight.

Not ever, if he could help it.

“Beta.”

The lie came quickly.

Too quickly.

Ryan stared at him.

“Beta?”

“Yes.”

Ryan's expression didn't change.

Jamie forced himself to hold his gaze.

“I'm a Beta.”

Ryan stepped closer.

Jamie instinctively moved backward.

Ryan stopped again.

His nostrils flared.

“No.”

Jamie's stomach dropped.

“No?”

“You're lying.”

“I don't know what you're talking about.”

“I can smell it.”

Jamie froze.

Ryan's voice lowered.

“You've suppressed your scent.”

Jamie said nothing.

“Why?”

“I don't use anything.” Jamie looked away.

Ryan's eyes narrowed.

“You're an Omega.”

“No.”

“You are.”

“I'm not.”

“Then explain why you smell like one.”

“I can't.”

Ryan studied him.

Jamie could feel his pulse racing.

He wished Ryan would stop looking at him like that.

Like he could see through every wall Jamie had spent six years building.

Ryan's expression softened.

“Are you hiding because you're afraid of me?”

Jamie didn't answer.

“Or because you're afraid of what happens when Ethan finds out?”

Jamie looked at him sharply.

Ryan had guessed correctly.

And that terrified him.

Ryan's gaze remained fixed on him.

“You're scared.”

Jamie swallowed.

“You don't understand.”

“Then explain it.”

“I can't. Ethan is inside.”

Ryan's face hardened.

“What does Ethan have to do with your designation?”

“Everything.”

Ryan frowned.

Jamie took a shaky breath.

“If anyone finds out I'm an Omega, everything changes.”

Ryan looked confused.

“Why?”

“Because that's how it works.”

“Jamie—”

“You don't know what it's like.”

Ryan fell silent.

Jamie looked down at his hands.

“I was sixteen when my parents found out.”

His voice cracked.

“They threw me out.”

Ryan's expression changed.

“They did what?”

Jamie laughed bitterly.

“They said I was an embarrassment. It didn't matter that I was the fastest wolf in the pack”

Ryan's fists tightened.

Jamie continued.

“Ethan's family took me in.”

Something flashed across Ryan's face.

Understanding.

“So Ethan knows.”

Jamie nodded.

“He's the only reason I have a family.”

Ryan was silent for several seconds.

Then:

“Does he know you're my mate?”

Jamie shook his head.

“He might... He was watching us earlier.”

“We need to tell him.”

Panic exploded through Jamie.

“No.”

Ryan frowned.

“Jamie—”

“Please.”

Jamie stepped forward before he could stop himself.

“Don't tell him.”

Ryan stared at him.

“Why?”

“Because it will hurt him.”

“It won't.”

“You don't know that.”

“I know Ethan more than i know myself.”

Ryan's eyes narrowed.

Jamie realized what he had said.

He looked away.

“I'm sorry.”

Jamie looked up.

His eyes were shining.

“I've loved him for six years.”

Ryan went completely still.

The words were out before Jamie could stop them.

He pressed a hand over his mouth.

Too late.

Ryan stared at him.

“You love Ethan.”

Jamie looked away.

“Forget I said that.”

Ryan didn't answer.

Jamie wiped quickly at his eyes.

“I never told him.”

“Why?”

“Because he's family.”

“That doesn't answer my question.”

“It does.”

Jamie took a shaky breath.

“He's getting married.”

“To me.”

Jamie flinched.

Ryan immediately regretted saying it.

“I'm sorry.”

Jamie laughed softly.

“That's the problem.”

Ryan's expression softened completely.

For the first time since they'd met, Jamie didn't see an Alpha standing in front of him.

He saw a man.

Jamie looked at him.

Ryan continued.

“I've spent my entire life hearing that finding your mate is supposed to be the greatest thing that can happen to an Alpha.”

His voice lowered.

“But I found mine tonight.”

He looked toward the house.

“And he's—”

He stopped.

Jamie raised an eyebrow.

“He's.”

Jamie's breath caught.

Ryan looked back at him.

“And he's my fiancé's best friend.”

A sad smile touched Jamie's lips.

“Exactly.”

Silence settled between them.

For the first time, neither man was fighting.

Jamie wasn't trying to run.

Ryan wasn't trying to claim him.

They simply stood there.

Two strangers caught in something neither had asked for.

Then Ryan's eyes dropped to Jamie's wrist.

The silver mark beneath his sleeve seemed to pulse.

Ryan reached toward him.

Jamie tensed.

Ryan stopped.

“I won't hurt you.”

Jamie should have told him not to.

He should have stepped away.

Instead, he stayed.

Ryan's fingers closed gently around his wrist.

The world exploded.

Heat ripped through Jamie's body.

He gasped.

His knees nearly buckled.

The silver mark blazed beneath Ryan's hand.

Something surged through the bond.

Pain.

Heat.

Need.

Recognition.

Jamie felt Ryan's emotions rush into him.

Shock.

Desire.

Fear.

Protectiveness.

And beneath everything else—

certainty.

Ryan inhaled sharply.

His eyes darkened until they were almost black.

Jamie couldn't move.

The connection between them became a living thing.

His wolf surged toward Ryan.

Mate.

Ryan's grip tightened instinctively.

Jamie gasped again.

Ryan stared at him.

His voice was barely more than a whisper.

“You're not a getting away from me.”