When Benjamin saw Samantha in her dress he had to brace himself against the door frame. She was the most beautiful sight he had ever beheld—she took his breath away.

As he walked with her outside into the cool evening air, stars spread out across the clear sky above and the last vestiges of sunlight faded in the west. They climbed into his SUV, and he drove through town to the turnoff to Fate Valley Resort. Low, romantic music played on the stereo. Samantha was quiet in the passenger seat, her shapely legs crossed and her hands rested in her lap.

She was a mystery to him. All he knew was that she’d come to Fate Valley to write an article for the Historic Times. Aside from that, her identity was still a complete blank to him. He intended to change that tonight. He’d smelled her scent so strongly the morning of the statue installation, there was no doubt in his mind that she was his fated mate. They belonged together, and he would do anything to make sure they had their happily ever after.

He parked outside the Fate Valley Resort. Being a weeknight after Valentine’s Day, it wasn’t very crowded. It was the off-season in Fate Valley. The lake was cold and dark this time of year and not many people came out to fish or spend time on the beaches like they did in the summer.

He came around the other side of the car and opened the door for her. He offered his hand to help her step out of the car. Her pumps clicked on the pavement as she came to stand beside him. They walked arm in arm through the parking lot and came to the front entrance of the resort. Inside the lobby, the warm lights glowed all around. The fire blazing in the big brick fireplace thawed the deep chill of the February night air.

“Darling, table for two,” he said to the restaurant hostess as they approached.

She checked the reservation book and nodded. Grabbing two menus from the menu holder, she escorted them through the restaurant. The tinkling of conversation and cutlery against china mixed with the light music that played on the stereo.

The hostess sat them at a table by the window. Samantha slid into her seat across from Benjamin and looked down at her menu.

“Can I get you anything to drink, some wine perhaps?” the hostess asked, filling their water glasses.

“I’ll take your finest bottle of champagne,” Ben said.

Samantha looked up at him when he said that, and gave him a strange look.

“Very good,” the hostess said. “The sommelier will be with you in just a moment.”

“I want to celebrate our first date,” he explained.

“I never refuse a nice glass of champagne,” she chuckled.

The sommelier came and poured them both glasses of champagne. They tested the flavor and agreed it was nice. He left the bottle in a bucket of ice. Samantha sipped from her flute while perusing the menu. The waitress introduced herself as Molly, giving them a basket of French bread to munch on, and gave them a few moments to decide on their dinner. When she returned, she asked them if they were ready.

“I’ll have the surf and turf with lobster. I’d like my steak rare, and I’ll take the potatoes for my side,” Ben said.

“I’ll have exactly the same thing,” Samantha said, handing Molly her menu.

Samantha buttered a piece of French bread and took another sip of champagne.

“It’s lovely here,” she said, looking out the window at the view of the lake.

The moon shone brightly on the dark lake waters. The lake was framed by the gentle slopes of forested hillsides. The winter branches of dogwood trees splayed out like fingertips in the night sky.

“Fate Valley Resort is great. I haven’t been since New Year’s Eve. There was quite some drama that night.”

“What happened?”

“There was a murder. It was quite the mystery. But my friend Thorian, who everyone calls Celebration Bear, solved it. He and his mate Cici just got married a few days ago. I’m sure they’re still up at the Fate Rock Cabin enjoying the honeymoon.”

“Wow, I had no idea.”

“Speaking of mysteries,” Benjamin said. “You are a mystery to me.”

“I suppose I am,” she said with a chuckle, sipping her champagne. “What would you like to know?”

“What’s your family like? What was it like growing up in New York City?”

“There isn’t much to tell about my family. My mother died in childbirth and my father was never identified, so I grew up in foster care. I had the typical foster child experience. Some homes were better than others. It wasn’t the best childhood, but I grew up determined to do something better with myself. I wanted to prove everyone wrong about children who grew up in the system.

“I worked hard in school and got a scholarship to NYU. I studied history and journalism. After getting my Masters, I was offered a job at the Historic Times. I’ve been working there ever since.”

His heart burst for her. She had overcome so much. “You are a strong and determined women,” Benjamin said. “I can’t tell you how much I admire you.”

“Thank you, Ben,” she said, taking another bite of buttered French bread.

Molly returned with their orders, and they began to dig into the delicious meal. Benjamin’s steak was cooked and seasoned to perfection. The meat melted in his mouth, and he couldn’t remember the last time he’d tasted a meal so enjoyable.

“Tell me about your family,” Samantha said. “You’re originally from Fate Valley?”

“Yes. My grandfather founded the store in 1948, after the Second World War. Then my father took over in the seventies. He and my mother have retired, and I’ve taken over the store. I have a brother named Maverick who’s currently serving in the military. He’ll be returning home next year. I see my family quite often. My father comes into the store to give me pointers on chocolate making all the time. I think many children of artisans would be annoyed by that, but I appreciate my old man’s help whenever he offers it.”

“That’s really nice, Benjamin. I wish I had a family story like that to tell.”

“I was incredibly lucky. I know that.”

“How much younger is your brother than you?”

“Ten years. You’ll meet him when he returns home.”

Samantha blushed, examining her plate. She took another bite of steak and looked out the window.

“I shouldn’t have presumed,” he said, his heart beating faster.

“It’s okay,” she said. “I know that you’re excited, and I can’t blame you.”

“I’m glad you understand.”

“I understand enough about shifters to know that meeting me is very important to you. I also understand that without me, you will live a life of loneliness.”

“Not many people would get that.”

“It’s a lot of pressure.”

“There are many considerations that male shifters need to make when dealing with human females. Since there are far fewer female shifters than males, we often find our mates among humans. But human women are not like shifter women. They don’t have the same instincts.”

“Are you disappointed that I’m human?” Samantha asked with a spark of humor in her eye, taking a ship of champagne.

“Of course not. You’re my mate and you’re perfect for me exactly as you are. I just mean that I can’t expect you to just want to run away with me as soon as you meet me.”

Samantha sighed and her tight shoulders relaxed. She smiled brightly at him and finished her food.

When they were done, Molly returned and cleared their plates. She asked if they wanted anything for dessert, and Benjamin said he’d have a hot fudge sundae.

“They use my fudge for the sundaes,” he explained.

“I’ll have the same thing,” Samantha said.

A few moments later, they were digging their spoons into fudge-covered vanilla ice cream. The flavor of the family’s secret fudge recipe slid over his tongue and down his throat. Samantha let out a satisfied groan as she ate her dessert.

“This is delicious,” she said. “Maybe I should consider running away with you.”

His heart sparked and a thrill ran down his spine.

“I like the sound of that,” he said. “I have a lot more candy for you to try.”