Part of me wanted to chase after him, but the other part of me was stunned by what had just happened. I felt as though I’d just been run over by a train or an airplane had fallen out of the sky and landed straight on top of me.

So that’s what it feels like, Preston.

My fated-mate. There was no doubt in my mind. I’d just met my fated-mate, and what was worse, I’d let him walk away from me.

But what was I supposed to do? Make a scene? Fight Corey for him right then and there? I had Francis with me, for Christ’s sake. If things hadn’t already been awkward enough.

That Corey guy was a real son of a bitch. He reminded me of those Vanderton creeps, rich kids who thought because they had money that they owned the world. It was obvious he thought he owned Bailey too, but no one can own a person.

I couldn’t let Bailey get away from me. I could see he felt the same thing I felt. His scent was embedded in my nose, my mind and my soul. In a way I felt terrible when I turned back to Francis. He was standing behind me looking letdown. He was no dummy. He knew what had just happened between Bailey and me.

“Hey, Francis—”

“It’s cool,” he said with a soft smile. “I saw what was going on.”

“I think—I think he’s my fated-mate!” I blurted out. Of course, I didn’t think it. I knew it.

“Go after him,” he said with a nod. “I’ll get an Uber.”

“Really?” I asked, feeling my excitement growing in my chest.

“Yeah, it’s no problem,” he replied. “I knew you weren’t into me. I just thought we’d have a fun night, that’s all. I’m not heartbroken.”

“You’re a good guy, Francis,” I told him as I scrambled into my clothes. “One day, an alpha will be lucky to make you his mate.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Francis smirked, waving his hand. “Get out of here, big guy.”

I grinned and raced back up the hill to the parking lot. Bailey’s scent was still fresh and hung in the air like an invisible rope leading me in the direction he’d gone. I slid into the truck, fired up the engine and gunned it, following the trail of my fated-mate.

As I’d expected, the scent led me towards Austin, but not towards downtown, towards the lake. All the nicest houses were out on Lake Austin, which was no surprise. Corey was definitely a rich kid.

My heart was pounding as I sped down the highway. Questions were racing through my mind:

What would I do when I got to wherever they were going?

Could we just sneak off together?

What if Corey found out and things turned violent?

What if Bailey didn’t want to come with me?

No—that last one was impossible. Of course he would. I saw the look in his eyes. I smelled him. If he was my fated-mate, then I was his as well. I wanted to reach out and snatch him away from that smug son of a bitch back at Blue Hole, but it just wasn’t the right time.

I breathed deeply, inhaling his scent as I exited the highway. Soon, I was surrounded on all sides by enormous homes of varying architecture. They were gorgeous, but I didn’t care about them. I had one thing on my mind. Bailey.

His scent grew stronger as I continued on. My fingers drummed quickly on the steering wheel. I wasn’t nervous as much as I was anxious—anxious to see him again. It had only been a short drive but I could still feel that thread between us pulling at me, calling me to him, and it was impossible not to answer.

Finally, I found myself slowing down in front of an enormous modern mansion, one of those typical ones made from all white concrete and glass. Most people would drool, but I still preferred a nice cozy farmhouse where I was surrounded by people who cared about me. Something about Corey’s place looked cold and lonely. Not even close to the kind of home Bailey deserved.

I parked a little way up the block. The folks living here would no doubt mistake me for a guy from one of the landscape crews. The house had a wall around it but I didn’t spot any security cameras. It was pretty much dark out, but I kept to the shadows anyway and kept moving along the wall until I could see into the back yard.

The lights downstairs were on but no one was around. The second floor was dark, all except for one window. Again, it was empty. But Bailey was close. His scent was tugging at me like a fish hook caught in my chest. Quickly, I leapt the wall and rushed through the dimly lit back yard to the porch.

The enormous glass doors opened into a single enormous room that functioned as a kitchen and living room. The lights were on, but there we no signs of activity. Bailey’s scent was coming from upstairs.

Quietly, I began to creep towards the stairwell, but that’s when I heard it—raised voices. Someone was shouting, and it wasn’t Bailey.

I picked up my pace and rushed around the corner. I hit the stairs fast, taking them two at a time, and almost instantly reached the second floor. Bailey’s scent was everywhere, but the voices were coming from a room to my left.

“No!” Bailey cried out. “Just let me go!”

A thick brown door was closed at the end of the hallway. As I ran towards it, I heard the sound of a slap.

That son of a bitch!

Feeling my bear stir within me, I licked my lips as I charged full force at the door.