Ben was so excited about bringing Samantha to meet his parents that he could barely contain himself. He’d told them he’d met his mate, but he hadn’t told them the rest. He knew his parents would be able to tell immediately that he’d claimed and changed her.

He and Samantha stood at the door to his parent’s old house. Ben held a bouquet of flowers and Samantha a bottle of wine. He knocked, his heart beating fast.

“Benjamin!” his mother, Cora, said, pulling him into a bear hug. She was still lovely at her age. Her silver hair was pulled back in a twist at the base of her neck. She wore a long burgundy-colored cardigan and a smile that matched the twinkle in her eyes.

“This must be your mate,” his father, Marvin, said. “Come in, come in.”

“I brought some wine,” Samantha said, offering the bottle to his dad.

He could see Marvin sniff the air as they all entered the house. Marvin was as tall as Ben, but had lost some bulk as he’d grown older. Ben would always remember him as a rock and a hero for his family, even as his hair turned white and started to fall out.

“Benjamin, you dog, you didn’t tell us you’d already claimed her.”

“And changed from the smell of it,” Cora said, turning to Samantha. “Dear, you’re now a shifter, now. How does it feel?” She led them both deeper into the house.

“It’s unbelievable!” Samantha breathed.

They passed through the living room that was as cozy as he remembered it. The big old house had been his family home his entire life. A picture of his brother in his military uniform was on the mantle in a place of honor.

“When did it happen?”

“Last night. And this morning I made my first shift,” Samantha explained.

“Well, congratulations,” Marvin said, taking the bottle of wine into the kitchen room. He motioned for Samantha to follow him. Ben’s mother stopped him in the living room.

“She’s absolutely beautiful,” Cora said. “Why didn’t you bring her over before?”

“It was difficult. There’s so much going on in town with the missing statue. And Samantha was hesitant to get involved—she’s from New York, and works for the Historic Times up there. It was all very complicated. But we made our commitment last night. I do hope you and father can help her feel welcome. She’s an orphan who’s never had a family of her own. She needs that.”

“We will absolutely make your new mate feel welcome in our family and in our home,” Cora said, hugging him once more.

“You know, your brother Maverick is going to be home in a few months,” she said, leading him into the dining room.

Marvin and Samantha returned moments later with an open bottle of wine and glasses on a tray. Marvin set the glasses down and poured the wine for all four of them.

“We have a roast that’s ready to come out of the oven with baby potatoes, peas, carrots, and green beans with a big garden salad,” his mother said.

“And don’t forget the chocolate fudge cake for dessert,” Marvin added.

“Of course not,” Cora said with a wink. “How could I forget the chocolate fudge cake.”

Ben helped Marvin carry all the food to the table while Cora and Samantha chatted over wine. A moment later, they were all seated in front of a delicious-smelling meal. He held Samantha’s hand under the table, and she smiled up at him with a warm glow in her eyes. He could tell that she liked his parents already and felt at home at their table.

“Samantha, Ben told me that you work for the Historic Times,” Cora said. “That must be an incredible job. You travel all over the country doing research for your articles?”

“I do travel occasionally. About two or three times a year I’ll go somewhere for a week or weekend for in-person interviews. I’ll take photographs of a site and so on. The rest of the time, I can do my research over the Internet or in library databases.”

“What are you going to do about moving to Fate Valley?” Marvin asked.

“I’ve already spoken to my editor about it. She’s actually thrilled for me. She loves the Lake of the Fates and wants to come here for vacation.”

“Oh, what a relief,” Cora said.

“It’s a relief for me too,” Samantha said with a giggle. “I love my job.”

“Samantha worked very hard and got her Masters degree from NYU. She’s been working for the Historic Times ever since.”

“Benjamin flatters me,” she said, blushing, before taking another sip of wine.

Benjamin cut into his roast and popped a bite in his mouth. “It isn’t flattery at all,” he said. “She’s an extraordinary woman with extraordinary strength.”

“You’re making me blush, Ben,” she said.

“Ben said you were an orphan and a foster child,” Cora said.

“That’s true,” Samantha said.

“I can imagine it must have been tough growing up like that and then going on to college and getting a Masters degree. I don’t think that Ben is exaggerating it all,” Marvin said.

“Thank you all. I appreciate it. I just did what I had to do to make something of myself. I didn’t want to end up like my aunt or my mother. I wanted to use my mind to make the world a better place.”

“You had an aunt?”

“She was very poor. Her husband had left her and gambled away all their savings. She couldn’t take me in, having five kids of her own. She just couldn’t afford another. I did meet her once when I was in college and asked why she didn’t take me. I was angry at the time. But I came to understand as I grew older. I never wanted to be in her position, so I worked hard every day to be able to do something I loved that supported me.”

“That’s a sad story,” Cora said, taking a sip of wine.

“It’s not so sad. It was hard, but it made me who I am. I don’t regret any of it. No one chooses their fate.”

“That’s true. No one chooses fate,” Marvin said. “But you do choose how to react to it.”

“Now I have Ben. All the struggle was worth it. It’s what brought me here.”

“Ben is totally right about you, Samantha. You are quite extraordinary,” Cora said with a smile, patting her hand.

“Who’s ready for chocolate cake?” Marvin said.

Marvin stood and brought the cake back from the kitchen while Cora poured everyone another glass of wine. He cut the cake and dished up a piece for everyone. He handed Samantha her piece first. She took a bite of cake and groaned at the flavor.

“I didn’t think anyone could make chocolate fudge better than Ben, but I think maybe I was wrong,” she chuckled.

“We taught him everything he knows,” father said.

Ben smiled and nodded. “It’s true.”

“How are things down at the shop these days?” Marvin asked.

“We had a record sales day on Valentine’s Day. With the missing statue, we’ve had a lot of outsiders and tourists in town, speculating about what happened. But since they left, it’s like the town square is a ghost town. I see as many for sale signs as I do graffiti tags these days.”

“We left the shop in good hands with you, Benjamin. I’m sure things will turn around,” Cora said, patting his hand across the table.

“Do you think my brother will want to work with me when he returns from his service?” Benjamin asked Marvin.

“You know Maverick. He’ll probably take up his wild ways again.”

“Don’t be so hard on the boy,” Cora said. “He’s a good boy at heart. He just has to find his way in life. I’m sure that his years of service will have changed him and taught him many lessons.”

“What that boy needs is a mate,” Marvin said. “Nothing helps settle down a wild bear better than his mate.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Cora said, taking another bite of cake.

After they were all done, everyone was feeling amicable and friendly. They played a game of cards at the dining room table, with second helpings of cake all around. Benjamin’s mother was a master at Gin rummy, but Samantha really gave her a run for her money.

Neither he nor Marvin could beat either of them, but they battled it out late into the evening. Finally, Benjamin knew it was time to get going.

“I have to be at the shop early.”

“It was wonderful to meet you, dear,” Cora said to Samantha, giving her a big hug.

“Welcome to the family,” Marvin said.

“It was wonderful to meet you two,” Samantha said. “I was a little nervous to meet Ben’s family to be honest. But you guys are wonderful. I feel so lucky to be part of your family.”

“We’re lucky to have you too,” Marvin said, leaning in to give Samantha a hug.

They said their goodbyes and Samantha and Ben went off to climb into his car.

“Your mom and dad really are great,” she said. “I do feel lucky to have you, and my wonderful new in-laws. They were so welcoming and kind.”

“I’m glad you called them that,” Ben said.

“Called them what?”

“In-laws.”

Ben stopped at a turn off that looked out over the Lake of the Fates. He’d bought a ring the day he’d met her. He’d been waiting for just the right moment to ask. They walked out onto the lookout and gazed at the moon glowing over the water.

“Every day I spend in Fate Valley, I see something more beautiful than the last,” she said.

“Right now, the only beautiful thing I see is you,” Ben said in a whisper.

“Ben.”

He took both of her hands in his and went down on one knee.

“Samantha Cooper? Will you do me the honor of being my wife?” He pulled the ring box from his pocket and opened it, revealing a princess cut diamond on a platinum band.

Samantha clutched her heart and gasped, covering her mouth with her other hand. She shook her head vigorously as he took the ring from the box. She offered him her hand and he slipped the ring on her finger. It fit her just right. Ben sighed happily. She pulled him to his feet and threw her arms around his neck.

“I am a lucky man,” he whispered in her ear between kisses.

“You have no idea how happy you make me,” she said.

“I do know. It’s almost as happy as you make me.”