The Mate He Took for Granted

The encrypted offer from the Northstar Institute for Biomedical Research arrived on my phone just after noon.

Dr. Hurst squeezed my hand. "Congratulations, Elena. Northstar only recruits once every three years, and you're the youngest researcher in this intake."

She was proud of me, but the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "The facility is in northern Alaska. Its location is classified, and you won't be free to leave during the first two years of the project. Are you sure this is what you want?"

"I've never been more sure."

I signed the digital acceptance form.

My departure date was seven days away—the fifth anniversary of the night Adrian Blackwood and I completed our mating bond.

For years, I'd reminded him about our anniversary, and every year he'd said pack business came first. Now that I was leaving, there was no point reminding him again.

Dr. Hurst studied me for a moment, then slid a ticket to Anchorage across her desk. "Spend these last few days saying goodbye to the people who matter."

I tucked the ticket and confidentiality agreement into my bag and drove back to the Blackwood estate.

Adrian was cooking in the main house kitchen. He'd just returned from a border patrol, and his black tactical shirt was streaked with mud, with dried blood darkening one cuff. Yet the counters were crowded with Vanessa's favorite dishes: roasted salmon, creamy potato soup, and a raspberry cake from the bakery downtown.

It was Vanessa's birthday.

She'd been married to Adrian's older brother, Marcus, for less than a year when he'd died shielding Adrian during a rogue attack. His last words had been simple.

"Take care of her."

Adrian had taken that promise as gospel for five years.

I stopped at the kitchen island. "I'm home."

Whatever warmth had been in his face vanished. "Tonight is Vanessa's birthday. Don't start anything."

I took a box of cinnamon cookies from my bag and set it on the counter. "I know. These are for her. She mentioned liking them."

He didn't touch the box. Instead, he looked me over as if I might have hidden a blade under the ribbon. "Since when do you care what she likes?"

His suspicion hit the same bruise he'd been pressing for years, but I pretended not to notice. "Give me your patrol jacket. There's blood on the sleeve. I'll send it to the laundry room."

Adrian frowned, clearly thrown by my cooperation. Once, I would've asked why Vanessa always came first. I would've reminded him that I was his fated mate, not some inconvenient guest in my own home.

But I only had seven days left, and I didn't want my last memories of him to be another screaming match.

After a moment, he peeled off the jacket and handed it over. When I checked the pockets, I found a folded receipt from the most expensive boutique downtown.

One ivory cashmere coat. The price was nearly two months of an average pack member's salary.

Five years ago, shortly after Adrian and I confirmed our mate bond, I'd paused in front of that boutique's window to admire the same coat. He'd wrapped his arms around me from behind and promised that once the border settled down, he'd buy it for me and finally hold my Luna ceremony.

The border had been quiet for years. The ceremony had never happened.

Still, as I held that receipt, a foolish spark of hope flickered to life.

[Maybe he remembered.]

[Maybe, before I leave, he'll finally keep one promise.]

There were only two place settings at dinner.

I didn't ask why. I fetched another plate from the cabinet and sat across from Adrian.

Vanessa smoothed a hand over her burgundy silk dress. "I haven't had much of an appetite lately, but the salmon smells amazing."

She was recovering from a mild case of gastritis. Adrian had canceled two council meetings to take her to a private clinic in the city.

He gave her the most tender piece of salmon, then glanced at my plate. Before he could ask, I pushed it toward him. "I ate late. She can have mine."

Surprise flashed across his face, but he passed my plate to Vanessa without protest. "If you like it, eat as much as you want."

I kept my eyes on my soup. I'd lost almost thirteen pounds over the past three months while preparing for Northstar's assessment. My loose sweater hid how sharply my collarbones stood out. Adrian either hadn't noticed or hadn't cared enough to ask.

After dinner, he brought out a silver gift box. "Happy birthday, Vanessa."

The ivory cashmere coat spilled into her lap when she lifted the lid.

She squealed and threw her arms around him. "Oh my God, you remembered! I only mentioned it once."

"Of course I remembered." He straightened her collar with an easy smile. "If you want something, just tell me."

The plate in my hand knocked against the table.

So he remembered the coat. He'd only forgotten who had wanted it first.

Adrian's gaze snapped to me, his expression icing over. "You're not seriously jealous over a birthday present, are you?"

The mate mark over my heart gave a dull throb. I steadied the plate and shook my head. "No. It looks good on her."