"Yeah, but there wasn''t a single hint that he could be your actual mate?" She


    asked, her eyes narrowed. "None?"


    I shook my head.


    "Other than my wolf liking him more than anyone else other than Ethan," I said


    with a shrug. "She gave her stamp of approval, but she didn''t push for me to go


    after him. She was still hurting over her former mate to really go after another


    man. For me, it was mostly physical attraction at first, and then it grew into so


    much more after I got to know him. I had no idea what to expect."


    "That''s incredible," she breathed. "I never knew anyone who had a second


    chance, mate, so I never really knew what it was like. I''ve only heard stories from


    the inte. It''s very rare. You must be really special for the Moon Goddess to


    deem you worthy of a second chance."


    I shrugged.


    "Maybe it''s Gavin that''s special and I''m just along for the ride."


    "Don''t sell yourself short," Nan said as she made her way to the coffee pot to pour


    herself a mug of coffee. "You are quite special, even if you don''t think so."


    I bit my lower lip.


    "I don''t know," I admitted, feeling slightly ufortable with the thought that I was


    special enough to gain the Moon Goddess''s favor. "But enough about me... what


    about you?"


    She blinked as she brought her mug to her lips.


    "What about me?"


    "Don''t give me that bullshit," I teased. "You and Chester... not to mention


    Emalyn."


    Nan blushed.


    "Oh, that," she breathed. "Well, I guess it was unavoidable. He is my mate after


    all."


    "But you didn''t trust him only weeks ago," I told her. "What changed?"


    "He did," she admitted. "He hasn''t even spoken to another woman since that


    hussy left the picture. He''s been so tentative and caring... seeing him with


    Emalyn... it did something to me and I realized that I might have misjudged him."


    "So, you agreed to be his wife?" I asked, raising my brows.


    "Gavin didn''t want an unmarried couple adopting Emalyn, and we both grew so


    attached to her over thest few weeks," she admitted. "Marriage is only a piece


    of paper, and if that''s what we need to keep her in our lives, then that''s what we''ll


    do."


    I noticed she''s still unmarked, and an understanding washed over me.


    "Are you waiting to let him mark you?" I asked.


    She nodded, setting the mug of coffee on the counter in front of her.


    "For right now, yes," she admitted.


    "I''m scared I''m not as brave as you.


    But we will see what happens in the


    future. So far, he''s been amazing.


    Honestly, he''s the best boyfriend I''ve


    ever had. I''m falling in love with


    him... I''m just scared."


    I wrap her in my arms and hug my best friend.


    "I''m sorry I haven''t been here," I whispered. "I''m sorry I didn''t take any of your


    calls. I had my phone shut off thesest few weeks, and I kind of dismissed my


    old life. I shouldn''t have done that to you."


    "I understand why you left," she admitted, tears brimming in her eyes. "I would


    have done the same thing."


    I pulled back to look at her.


    "I wouldn''t have stayed away forever. I just needed time," I admitted. "You''re my


    family, Nan. I can''t do this thing called life without you."


    She smiled at me, though tears still brimmed her eyes.


    "I can''t do this without you either," she admitted, her voice dropping to a broken


    whisper.


    I hugged her again, tighter this time.


    After a moment, I pulled back and wiped the tears off my own cheeks, tears I


    hadn''t known had fallen until this moment.


    "I''m heading to the Redmoon pack


    today to see my parents. They want


    to pay Alpha Sampson and Luna


    Lucy a visit. I don''t think Sampson


    and Lucy had met anyone in the


    pack yet because of the turmoil


    from the day yesterday. Would you


    like toe with me? Unless you''re


    busy with Emalyn or something.


    She shook her head.


    "Emalyn is at the vi with Nan," she


    told me. "Chester and I wanted


    some alone timest night, so Nan


    agreed to babysit. Chester is at the


    grocery store shopping so he can


    restock the kitchen before he picks


    her up. I have today off from work,


    so I''mpletely avable."


    I grinned, relieved to hear that.


    "Good," I said. "Let me get dressed, and we''ll head out."


    She nodded as she stole another piece of bacon. Just before I left the kitchen,


    she called after me.


    I stopped and looked at her.


    "I''m really d you''re home."


    I smiled back at her.


    "Me too," I replied, and I truly meant those words.