Jason wasn’t sure how long he stood there, unable to move or make a sound. The coldness that had swept over him took over his body, freezing him to the spot. When he heard the door slamming behind him, he realized that she truly was gone.

Was this what it felt like to have a mate reject you? Because it fucking sucked. He whipped around, kicking the first thing he could—the couch—his foot nearly breaking it in half.

Anger seeped inside him, and his dragon roared in pain. But he couldn’t explain to his inner animal why she had rejected them. She was obsessed with finding her mother’s killers and he couldn’t even blame her. If it had been his mother or father or any of his siblings, he’d stop at nothing to bring them justice. He realized that even with all his power and money, he couldn’t offer Christina the one thing she wanted above all else – the peace that justice would bring.

Now what? He sank down on what was left of the couch. Go home, probably. He couldn’t keep chasing after her, not when she didn’t want him. It would drive him mad. But not having her was bound to also. Was this what it was going to be like the rest of his life? Feeling that empty hole in his heart and never being able to fill it?

When he finally composed himself, Jason left the safe house and made his way back to his hotel. As soon as he finished packing, he found and booked the first flight out of Heathrow, which was leaving late that evening. Good. He was glad to be getting out of this place.

* * *

The small regional plane landed on the tarmac with a bump, waking Jason up with a jolt. The captain announced their arrival in Colorado and as soon as the plane stopped at the gate, he unbuckled his seatbelt and grabbed his bag from the overhead compartment.

He hadn’t brought any check-in luggage, so he went straight to Arrivals. He didn’t call anyone for a ride, not really wanting to deal with having to explain what had happened. It would be just as easy take a cab or rent a car at the airport to get back to his apartment. All he wanted was to collapse into bed.

As he exited Arrivals, he searched for the taxi stand when something caught his eye.

A black truck was parked right by the door. It looked familiar. In fact, it wasn’t just any truck. It was his truck. And, leaning on the side, arms crossed casually over her chest, was Christina.

At first he thought he was hallucinating, the lack of sleep and food playing with his head. Or maybe it was Catherine. But no. His dragon knew it, even before he did. It knew all this time.

Mine. Ours. Mate.

“Need a ride?” she asked.

“Christina?” He dropped his bag at his side and crossed the distance between them. “It’s you.”

“Yes. It’s me. I—”

He wrapped his arms around her, feeling the softness and warmth of her body, and breathed in her sweet scent. Instinctively, his lips found their way to hers, crushing them in a sweet, slow kiss. When he finally pulled away, she looked up at him with warmth radiating in her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Jason. For what I did. For what I said. I was so consumed by my need to find Mama’s killers that I didn’t see what I had with you. Please forgive me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive. You’re my mate. And I love you.”

Her lips parted in surprise. “I love you too, Jason. And I want to be yours.”

He brought his mouth down for another kiss. This time, an electric shock shot between them and a strange sensation seemed to spread through his body. It was calming, but at the same time exciting. Like something big was happening. Although he couldn’t describe what it felt like, he knew what it was. The melding of their souls together.

“I…” She blinked.

“The mating bond,” he said. “You’re mine, forever.”

“And you’re mine,” she said, her eyes shiny with tears.

“Let’s go home,” he said.

“Home to Blackstone,” she finished. “But only if I get behind the wheel. I wouldn’t want my driver getting us lost.”

He laughed and kissed her cheek. “You can do whatever you want, just as long as you’ll always be my mate.”

“Forever,” she answered.