With both Garret and Sin taking care of different business, Kaden made himself useful in the kitchen. He checked on the casserole that was in the oven and pulled out the stuff Sin had obviously planned on using to make a salad. He moved around the space with ease, finding what he needed, and made quick work of the preparations.

“If I’m not careful someone else is going to sweep you off your feet.” Ari teased, snatching a piece of bell pepper from the cutting board and popping it into his mouth. “Then how am I going to eat?”

“I guess you should focus on finding us a mate to cement things then.” He lifted the cutting board to the salad bowl and let the cut vegetables slide onto the lettuce.

Ari leaned against the counter. “We’ve been looking for years now and haven’t found anyone that either of us can agree on.”

Kaden eyed Ari with irritation. Ari leaned against the counter like he didn’t have a care in the world, all the while his beast was growing impatient within. Kaden knew because he could feel it. They were connected on a deeper level than just friendship, their bears were linked together. Ari was the more dominating of the two, so his bear was more actively protesting the lack of their mate, and while doing so, made Kaden’s beast more edgy. “We haven’t explored any possibilities outside our own area. We’re hours away, and we have a whole community of shifters to consider…” His words died off as the front door opened. Sin’s scent drifted toward them even before she made her way into the kitchen.

Sin’s scent of fox and wolf together, mingling in a harmony to create a unique scent that surrounded Sin and Garret. He couldn’t stop his thoughts from drifting to what his mate might smell like. To have the scents of the three of them mixing together to make a new one excited him. Now if they could only find her. He glanced up at Ari, their gazes locked and it was clear that his thoughts had followed along a similar path. A quick nod let him know that he understood, they needed to expand their hunting grounds.

Sin’s eyes widened as she glanced around the kitchen. “Oh guys, I’m sorry. You didn’t have to do this. Where’s Garret?”

“It’s no big deal, and he’s upstairs with Zoe.” Kaden grabbed the radishes he had drying on a paper towel and placed them on the cutting board.

Her eyebrows drew together. “You’re guests—he should be down here.”

“Your…umm I’m not sure what to call her…Zoe.” Ari looked at Kaden for help.

“Her name or ward would do fine,” Kaden said. “What he’s trying to say is Zoe had a bit of a meltdown. She blames herself for whatever is going on with Swift. I believe she overheard Jase and thinks his short temper is because he’s dealing with Swift, and therefore his frustration is her fault.”

“It’s not her fault. The whole issue with Swift is something she brought onto herself. But that’s not really why Jase was a grumpy bear.” She dragged a hand through her hair. “Our parents left the tribe. Granddad—who recently turned the tribe over to Jase—went with them. Jase tried to talk them out of it, but they refused to listen. They didn’t even say goodbye. Maybe part of it’s my fault, coming back here, but the majority of it is they don’t want the changes that are happening. They’re going to find somewhere they can be alone and stay set in their ways.” She let out a deep sigh and looked to the ceiling. “I guess I should see what I can do about Zoe.”

Kaden began slicing the radishes. “Go ahead. I’ve got this.”

“Please help yourself to a beer or whatever you’d like. Just make yourselves at home.” Sin glanced between the two men, finally settling her gaze on Kaden. “Thanks.”

“Don’t worry about it. I enjoy cooking.” He tossed the radishes into the bowl and wiped his hands on a dishrag. “And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry about your family. Maybe some time away will give them a better outlook. It won’t hurt for you and Jase to have some time to rule the tribe without their interference.”

As she left Ari moved to the refrigerator and grabbed two beers. After popping the caps, he handed one to Kaden. “See? We make a good team. You knew just what to say to her.”

Kaden grinned. “Yeah, a great team.” He stepped toward the pantry, looking for the ingredients he’d need to make his signature salad dressing and considered Ari’s words. They were the perfect pair. Where Ari was a protector, fierce, and all business, Kaden was the emotional rock, and while they worked together on the occasional job, he preferred the numbers side of the business. Or being in the kitchen, which was good because Ari wouldn’t know a paring knife from a filet knife. They balanced each other out, making each other whole, and their mate would only connect them further. “I’ve never doubted that we’re good together. If I did, I wouldn’t be waiting for your bear to take control and demand a mate.”

“I never said I didn’t want a mate. It’s disappointing never finding a woman that works for both of us.” Ari took a long drink from his beer. “But I haven’t given up that somewhere out there we’ll find our mate. I’m just not as impatient as you are.”

Kaden leaned back against the counter, took a drink of his own beer, and watched his friend. “I say, if we don’t find her here, let’s do some traveling. The business is doing fine, and Jack can handle things for a while.”

“We’ll see.” Ari sat the beer bottle on the counter with a thump. “We’re going to be here at least a couple of weeks. I don’t know about leaving again right away.”

“Fine,” he said, adding the salad dressing ingredients together into a small mixing bowl. While he frowned at Ari, he stirred. “We’ll wait a little while, until you feel comfortable leaving him in charge again. But you’ve got to admit that we need this.” He paused stirring and tasted the mixture he’d created, and then added some red pepper flakes to heat it up some. “Your bear is clawing at you, demanding that she be found. It’s our time, and it can’t be put off much longer.”

Ari’s eyebrows rose. “I’m going to walk around the outside of the house. Search for possible intruder entrances.” He grabbed his beer and headed for the door.

“You know I’m right,” Kaden called after him as he left.

Alone in the kitchen, he set the dressing aside, then quickly checked the casserole in the oven, determining that everything was ready whenever Garret and Sin returned. He turned off the oven and blew out a deep breath.

Not knowing what else to do, he wondered over to the table with his beer and sat down. He pondered why Ari was so hesitant to venture outside of their comfort zone to find a mate. It wasn’t like they had a sleuth that they’d have to justify their decision to. They were lone bears, choosing this path because it fit their needs and wants better.

Ari’s hesitation was putting Kaden in a tough spot. He wanted a mate, his bear growled in agreement, but he couldn’t do it without Ari being onboard. If only she’d find us and then Ari would have to accept her. His bear wouldn’t give him any choice.

“Where’s Ari?” Garret strolled toward the table.

“Checking the outside.” And avoiding our conversation. “He’s already thinking about the security measures he wants to put in place. How’s Zoe?”

“She’s upset, but she’ll be okay. She has had a lot thrown at her lately. She’s still adjusting.” Garret grabbed a beer from the fridge and leaned against the counter. “There seems to be some kind of tension between you and Ari. On the verge of sounding unmanly, anything you want to share?”

“What, mating make you soft?” Kaden smirked. “Naw, we’re fine. He’s got a bit of the grumpy bear syndrome that Jase has.”

“You bears must need to be in hibernation. The rest of us don’t go through stages of irritability like you guys do.”

Kaden arched an eyebrow. “Oh yeah, wolves are so even tempered. I remember the time you nearly broke a guy’s spine for barking at you.”

“I’m not a dog,” he growled.

“Did I miss something?” Sin came up to her mate’s side.

Garret wrapped his arm around her, and she snuggled in closer.

That was what Kaden wanted for him and Ari. A woman to hold tight in the coming cold months. Someone who would love them despite their cranky asses. But more importantly, someone who could bear their cubs. Family had always been important to him, but since his sister had her first set of cubs, he found himself wanting a dozen of his own. His bear roared within him, demanding that Ari and he find their mate. Soon…