GUNNAR BALDURSSON SLID his phone into his pocket. He was with his brother Kaspar and Kaspar’s mate, Jesska, at the home of Connall and Pepper Gunnach. They’d been dealing with conflicts between the Scottish Cauld Ane and Iceland Kalt Einn, and now that things were calm, he’d taken a moment to make a phone call in Connall’s office.

As he walked towards the kitchen again, he was overcome with desire, love, and a need to protect. His mate. His hands shook as he ran them through his hair. He could feel her heartbeat, steady and strong, her pulse slightly elevated, and he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Jesska watched him with a strange expression as he walked through the kitchen. “You okay?” she asked.

“My mate is close.”

“Seriously?”

He nodded and headed out of the room, Jesska following. He stopped. She was here. In front of him and, admittedly, he was a little taken aback by her beauty. She had a head full of glorious red curls, porcelain skin, and a smattering of freckles across her nose. Her gray eyes widened when she caught sight of him and her cheeks pinked as she gasped. She was with a dark-haired woman, but that was all Gunnar noticed as he stared at his mate.

Grace MacMillan, Max’s mate, turned to Jesska and Gunnar. “Gunnar, Jess, this is Kenna and Gillian. Payton’s sisters.”

Gunnar took hold of Kenna’s hand, her skin soft and the connection instant. Good lord, she was beautiful. He lifted her hand and kissed her palm gently, drawing in her scent... jasmine.

She gave him a shy smile. “Hold that thought, love. I have to see to my sister, but then you and I can talk.”

Gunnar stared at her and nodded, releasing her hand after he’d kissed her palm once more. He understood. Payton Gunnach was in labor upstairs with her first child and he knew she took precedence right now, but he couldn’t help but be disappointed that he couldn’t focus on Kenna immediately.

He wished one of them was an empath. If so, they could communicate telepathically, but until they were bound, they’d have to speak the old-fashioned way.

Since he knew she’d be a while, he texted his brothers.

* * *

They’d missed the birth of baby Killian, but arrived in time to check both the baby and Payton. After making sure all was well, Kenna kissed her sister and brother-in-law and then took a minute to freshen up before heading downstairs. Gillian intercepted her and pulled her into one of the guest rooms. “Are you ready for this?”

Kenna smiled. “Aye.”

“Do you have any questions?”

“No, love. I’m good. He’s my mate, he’ll guide me.”

“What if he’s an arse?” Gillian asked.

Kenna laughed. “I highly doubt he’s an arse.”

“He’s a prince, Kenna. He probably has entitlement issues.”

“I don’t get that vibe from him, Gillie. I’m sure he’s fine.”

“Maybe. But Max is an arse. Grace had to deal with him, so are you prepared to deal with Gunnar if he’s an arse?”

“Why do you keep saying ‘arse’?”

“Because it’s a great word, but that’s not the point. I’m being serious right now, sis. Are you sure you’re ready?”

“Aye. And I get it. Max was difficult—”

“An arse,” Gillian corrected.

“Difficult,” Kenna said, and then giggled. “However, with Grace, his sharp edges are rounded a bit. She softens him, so I’m confident that if Gunnar is also difficult, I’ll do the same with him. I love that you’re worried, Gillie, but I’m good.”

Gillian hugged her. “I can’t wait to get to know him.”

“Me neither, but you have to let me go so I can.”

Gillian gave her one last squeeze and then released her. “Go, sweet sister. Get your bond on.”

Kenna let out a sniggle. “Never say that again.”

“No? I thought I might trademark it.”

“Well, if you can, more power to you. Don’t wait up.” Kenna headed downstairs.

Gunnar appeared before she got to the bottom step and she couldn’t get over how unbelievably gorgeous he was. He had dark blond hair and deep blue eyes that crinkled at the corners when he smiled. He was everything she’d dreamed of in her mate and then some.

He wore tailored trousers and a matching jacket that appeared to have been made for him, along with a crisp, white shirt, open at the throat.

“Hi,” he whispered.

She smiled, feeling a blush forming on her cheeks. “Hi.”

He reached out his hand and she took it, her heart racing as he lowered his mouth to hers. She fisted her free hand in his shirt to stay upright and sighed against his lips. “Wow.”

“Já, elskan. Wow.” Gunnar smiled, squeezing her hand. “Are you ready now?”

She studied him for several seconds. She knew, ultimately, what he was asking and could tell he was giving her time to think. Was she ready to be bound now? Without speaking to him further or getting to know him? She’d never really thought about it until she’d watched Max and Niall go through the process with their mates. Cauld Anes typically met and bonded right away, but she’d seen how the Fallen Crown boys had had to woo their human mates, and admittedly, she wanted a little bit of that as well.

“I wish I could read your mind,” he lamented.

“You’ll be able to soon enough.”

“Which has you hesitating.”

“Not hesitating, per se,” she whispered.

His thumb floated over her knuckles. “How about we go somewhere and talk? Just talk.”

“I’d love that,” she admitted. She was suddenly nervous. She knew he was hers, felt it in her soul, but she’d been alone a long time, and now her loneliness would be over... yet, it was change, and she was never good with change.

Gunnar lifted her hand to his lips, kissing her palm. “Come.”

She grabbed her purse and followed him out of the house to the awaiting car.