Casey
Casey felt like he was walking through a haze.
He had felt that way since his hand had brushed Natalie’s as he reached for her case, and it had yet to let up. He’d thought a cup of coffee might help him get his head in order, but it hadn’t had any effect at all as far as he could tell.
Not when his lion was prowling around inside his chest, raising its head to roar out: Mine! Mine! Mine!
Naturally, Casey had dreamed of finding his mate. Seeing his father, brother and cousins so happy with their own mates had made him long for it all the more.
But his conscience still nagged at him: after the things he had done in the past, did he deserve the happiness of discovering his fated mate?
He had so nearly destroyed the happiness of Mason and Charity, all because he hadn’t understood that humans and shifters could live in peace with each other.
He felt like he still had so much to make up for.
Taking a deep breath, Casey tried to get his racing heart under control, and told his lion to stop its fussing. It bared its teeth at him, growling.
Our mate. She’s our mate. Why don’t we tell her? What’s stopping you? She knows it. She senses it too.
But that was the question, Casey realized: Did Natalie know? Did she even know that shifters existed?
From the confused expression on her face when little Faith had asked her what they turned into, Casey guessed the answer was a resounding NO.
Joe. I have to talk to Joe.
Joe was Casey’s older brother, and the alpha of the Cedar Hill pride. Their father had passed the role to him a couple of years ago, and since then the ranch – and the pride – had been thriving. Joe was everything a pride could want in an alpha: considerate, thoughtful, and a strong leader.
He’ll know what to do, Casey thought, as he got into his truck and began driving out to the ranch.
The drive went by in a blur. Before he knew it, he was pulling up by the large main house. The gardens that surrounded it were beginning to show some life again after the long, hard winter they’d just been through, and the golden glow of the late afternoon was everywhere.
At this time of day, he knew he’d find Joe out in the barn – taking stock, fixing up equipment, or doing one of the hundred other small jobs that needed doing to ensure the smooth running of the ranch. It was the time of year when they started running tours for visitors again, as part of a revenue-raiser with the B&B. It had been wildly successful – it seemed like coming out to take a look at a working ranch was fascinating to city folks – and it had ensured the future of the Cedar Hill pride for years to come. They had more than enough money in the bank to see them through rough times if they came, as well as having the means to invest in plenty of other ventures. The financial future of the pride was assured. Mason and Joe’s cubs would be well taken care of.
Casey made his way across the yard, finding Joe exactly where he’d predicted he would: up to his elbows in grease as he tinkered with the old tractor. Casey wasn’t sure why they didn’t just get rid of the thing and get a new one – he remembered this old hunk of metal from when he was a kid, and it seemed like either Joe or their father was always repairing it, buying replacement parts for it, or just standing and staring at it, as if that by itself would reveal its secrets.
Maybe that’s why I’m not alpha, though, Casey thought. He was too impetuous, too quick to rush headlong into things without thinking. This was part of why he’d gotten into trouble when he was young. And it was why he’d wanted to talk to his cautious, solid older brother. Casey probably would have shoved his foot straight into his mouth and down his throat if he’d tried to explain things to Natalie on his own.
Joe turned as he entered, nodding a greeting. “Casey. I thought you’d still be up at the B&B. Isn’t the new cleaner arriving today?”
“She’s my mate.” Casey blurted out the words before he could even think. “The new cleaner – she arrived, and she’s my mate. I touched her hand, and… I just knew. I don’t know how. But I did.”
Casey held his breath as Joe looked at him, eyebrows raised.
“Well, I didn’t expect that,” he finally murmured, putting the wrench he’d been using down on his workbench. He crossed his arms across his chest. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Casey – but are you completely sure?”
“Of course I am,” Casey shot back, shoulders stiffening. “I just… knew. Like how you knew when you met Sasha. You didn’t question that, did you?”
Joe held up his hands peaceably, and Casey took a deep breath.
“Sorry. I just… I guess it’s just so unexpected. I haven’t got a clue what to do.”
“So… she doesn’t know yet?” Joe asked.
Casey shook his head miserably. “No – I don’t think she even knows what shifters are. She’s definitely human. And… there’s something else.” Casey licked his lips, glancing up at Joe. “She has a son. He’s six.”
Joe cocked his head a little. “But… she’s not married, is she? Not to another human?”
Casey swallowed, suddenly unsure. “She didn’t say so. Faye never mentioned a husband – she just said it would be Natalie and her son. I think it’s just them.”
Anger suddenly surged through him, his lion growling fiercely. Who could have left such a wonderful woman as Natalie? And left their son as well?? No one who could do such a thing deserves to call themselves a man.
His thoughts must have shown clearly on his face, because Joe shook his head.
“It happens, Casey. Amongst shifters as well, though not so often.” Joe took in a deep breath. “You realize, though, that if Natalie’s your mate, you’re responsible for her child as well. He’d be under your protection too.”
“I know,” Casey said quickly. “And… naturally, I know that’s a huge deal, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t scare me a little. But if Natalie’s my mate, then I know I have to take on everything that’s hers. I understand that.”
“It’s a big responsibility,” Joe said. “And one you haven’t had time to plan for or think about. With Link, I knew – he was planned, and I had nine months to get used to the idea that he was definitely coming. Raising a child is… well, it’s the most amazing thing in the world, but it’s not a picnic. Are you sure?”
“Even if I wasn’t, what’s the alternative?” Casey argued. “Not tell her? Not be with my mate?”
“I wasn’t saying that,” Joe said evenly. “I just want you to think about things. There’s a lot to consider. She’s not a shifter. If her son’s father isn’t around, then chances are she’s already been hurt once. And then, she’ll have the child to think about, too. That might make her cautious.”
Casey drew in a deep breath. Everything Joe was saying was completely true. He knew it was, even as his lion roared in his chest, insisting that everything would be fine if only he would just go and tell her.
She’s our mate! What could be so difficult?!
It’s not that simple, Casey’s human side argued back at it. The lion would never understand these things. It lived – and loved – by instinct alone. It was a handy thing to have when action was required. But when calm, rational thought was what was needed…
… Well, then his lion could be a complete pain in the ass.
“The first thing you need to do, though, is talk to her.” Joe’s soft voice broke into his thoughts. “She might not be a shifter, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t know what they are. Sasha knew about shifters before we met, and so did Charity and Faye.”
Casey nodded. It was true – though he knew that saying his brother’s mate Sasha knew about shifters was an understatement. She’d been on the run from a rogue pack when she had stumbled onto the Cedar Hill pridelands – which had been what had saved her life. From the moment she set foot on their lands, she was under their protection. But the experience had, understandably, given her a bad impression of shifters, and it had taken some time for her and Joe to work things out between them.
“You’re right,” he said slowly. “I should talk to her.”
He wanted nothing more than to jump back into the truck and drive to the B&B without another moment’s delay. His lion pricked up its ears in excitement, whispering Yes, yes! Go to her! Go now!
But Casey ruthlessly ignored it. “Maybe I should… wait a little, though.” His lion let out a sharp growl. “Just until tomorrow. She’s tired today – she’s had a long journey. It may not be best to throw all this at her too.”
Joe nodded. “That sounds sensible. Give her time. It’s… surprising news, obviously. And she’ll have a lot to think about. But just remember, Casey – I know it seems like everything has to happen now, but you two will have the rest of your lives. Take your time and make sure you do this right.”
“I will. I just… I never really thought it would happen. Or whether I deserved it.”
Joe glanced at him, frowning. “Deserved?”
“Because of what happened with Charity and Mason,” Casey reluctantly admitted. “I could have… I could have ruined them both. How can I deserve my mate, when I almost –”
“Casey, stop.” Joe’s voice was firm: the voice of an alpha, giving an order to a member of his pride. “Mason and Charity have forgiven you. It’s ancient history. Stop it. Do you think they’ll be anything other than delighted when they hear about this?”
Casey dropped his eyes to the floor of the barn. He wanted to believe it – and, in his heart of hearts, he did. The family – the pride – was everything to lions. The pride stuck together, through thick and thin.
“I know,” he said quietly. “I do. I just want to be worthy of this. Worthy of her.”
“You are. The mated bond shows that.” Joe reached out, patting him with one large, greasy hand. “You can do this, Casey. Talk to her, and take things slow. The mated bond will do the rest.”
Casey nodded, lifting his head to smile at Joe, and seeing his brother’s smile in return. Gratefulness flooded his chest. He’d known Joe would have good advice for him – now, he just had to stick to it.