I’d totally screwed up.

“What did Jack say?” my little brother whined.

“I don’t know—nothing. I haven’t spoken to him.” Jack had just walked out of the restaurant without a word last night. I’d gone home with George, slept in my own apartment . . . on the couch. Apparently, I’d lost dibs on my bed to the boys.

Jack hadn’t called. So I hadn’t called him either.

Yeah. I’d screwed up big . . . and it had likely cost me everything.

“Then how do you know he wants out of the deal?”

“I don’t. I mean, not for sure.” I shook my head. “Jack had a backup plan. Last time I heard he was arranging things with her. If he has her, he doesn’t need me. If he doesn’t need me, he’s got no reason to help save the diner. We have to face it, guys. We’re on our own. We need to be ready for the inevitable.”

“How?” Brittney asked. “What are you going to do? I mean, is there someone else you can marry?”

I’d spilled the beans to my staff. They knew about my business agreement with Jack—not the werewolf part. Not that they would’ve believed me. I had to tell them the plan, so I could explain that I’d basically sabotaged it and ruined everything.

I opened my mouth to answer, tell them about Marcus’ offer. Instead I exhaled and said, “No. But at least we have time to prepare.”

“So the diner is closing,” Brittney said.

“I don’t know. Maybe. Probably,” I said, trying hard to smile. It wasn’t working well. “But I want to start helping everyone look for a place to go, just in case.”

I blinked back the sting of tears. I couldn’t break down in front of them. I had to be strong, optimistic—even though my heart was crumbling. This was it. I might really lose my little pastry shop turned diner, my dream. I’d thought about Marcus’ offer. I’d been thinking about it every other minute since he’d made it. But I couldn’t take his money.

Despite everything, I couldn’t commit that final act of betrayal against Jack. Something inside me roiled at the thought. I’d given my word. Marcus was Jack’s greatest rival, his nemesis, and so he was mine too. Taking anything from him, especially his help, just wasn’t possible.

Besides, there was something about the guy I didn’t trust. Maybe it was the wolf in me sensing his disloyalty to Frank and Jack, his jockeying for a way up the pack ranks. If I had a wolf inside me. I just didn’t know.

I’d never actually shifted all the way, and since that night at Jack’s parent’s house I hadn’t even shifted a little. There were times when I thought I could feel the wolf stirring inside me, feel the brush of fur under my skin. But not for a while now. Maybe Jack was right the first time, when he’d thought I’d just imagined it.

“I think you’re wrong, Kate,” George said. “No matter what happened between you two, Jack’s a man of his word.”

God, I hoped he was right, but he hadn’t seen the anger in Jack’s eyes. The pain. I was sure finding Marcus here at the diner had been a deal breaker for Jack. He had options. Why wouldn’t he explore them rather than stick with someone he believed was cavorting with the enemy?

“Why don’t you just call him, honey?” Marbella asked. “Whatever tiff you two had, I can see on your face that you regret it. Call the boy, say you’re sorry.”

If only it were that easy. “I doubt he’d take my call.”

I was such a coward. I couldn’t call Jack. I’d waited too long, let things stew, allowed him to think I might actually side with Marcus. He’d never believe that I’d ruled it out almost the moment he’d made the offer. Time had made the idle threat real. Even if I told him now that I wouldn’t take Marcus’ offer, he’d never forgive me for considering it this long.

The implication had become a solid wall between us. It was too late for apologies—but Jack’s angry grudge wasn’t what scared me most. I couldn’t bear the thought of risking that Alexia might answer his phone. Stupid? Yes. But there it was. I just couldn’t sit through another conversation with her telling me how eager he was to marry her—how much he wanted her. Which meant he didn’t want me.

Like I said, stupid.

Jack knew how we’d left things. If he’d made a decision to honor our agreement, or take advantage of his other options he’d have to let me know. Until then, I could only prepare for the worst.

“A good review in the Times should help,” I said, desperate for a silver lining. “George, they’ll be lining up to hire such a talented chef and once you’re in, maybe you could put in a good word for Lucas and Diego. And Brittney, you’re going to have to take time off soon anyway, once the baby comes.”

“Don’t worry about me,” Madam Opal said. “Got a job offer last night at the Queen of Hearts. Just have to tell them when I can start.”

“Queen of Hearts?” Marbella said, nose wrinkled in judgment. “Isn’t that a drag queen club?”

Opal nodded, unfazed.

Marbella’s dark brows went up. “Think you could put a word in for me?”

“Honey, just say the word and you’re in,” the tall blonde said. “The owner loves me.”

“Perfect,” I said, missing my Sweet Spot family already. “I’ve, um . . . got some stuff to do. I’ll be back in a few hours.”

I couldn’t look at any of them. Tears filled my eyes. Little more than stubborn willpower had kept them from spilling down my cheeks. I wouldn’t be able to hold them back much longer. I needed to be alone.

“You need a ride?” George asked, but I pretended I didn’t hear and kept moving.

I caught the subway across the street from the diner. Didn’t even check where it would stop. The doors were opening when I stepped onto the platform and I got on.

Two stops later I realized I couldn’t sit still. I had to move, keep my body in motion to help clear my mind. At the top of the steps I made a left. The surge of New York pedestrian traffic carried me across the street and back again. I didn’t fight it. I just let the current take me, like floating adrift on the ocean,. Before I knew it, I’d washed ashore at the entrance to the Central Park Zoo. So I bought a ticket and went in.

Animals all over the park squealed and whistled and growled, and in the distance the sounds of the city echoed in contrast. My feet took me along the same path I’d walked with Jack, the animals giving me lazy stares, and sleepy blinks as I passed.

The bench in front of the snow leopards was empty. I sat, watching the cats lounging in their habitat. I should’ve been trying to think of a way to save the diner. I should’ve been calling in favors, helping the people who counted on me find work, find a place to go once The Sweet Spot closed.

I should’ve been crying over the death of my dream, cursing fate for the loss of the only real family I’d ever had.

But I could hardly focus my thoughts. I couldn’t even remember any details of how I’d gotten to the zoo. My mind just kept circling over the same singular, undeniable fact.

I was in love with Jack Pensione. And he’d made it clear he could never love me back.

My brain was so caught in my thoughts that I only half noticed when both leopards hissed, one hunching its back, ears pressed to its head.

“You’re wrong about Jack, sis.”

I looked over my shoulder. “Lenny. What are you doing here?”

He shrugged. “Out for a run in the park. I, um, sensed you were here.”

“You smelled me? Over all these other animals? Should I be insulted or impressed?”

He took the seat next to me on the bench. “Not over the other animals. In addition to. And impressed. You should definitely be impressed.”

“Then I am.” I smiled, though it was only a ghost of the emotion. “Wait. You were running? In broad daylight?”

“Right. Nothing wrong with it,” he said. “It’s a lovely day. The bloody paths are full of runners.”

“Oh. I thought you meant you were running as the—” I glanced around, lowering my voice. “As the wolf.”

“Naw. I can run in human form too,” he said.

“Right. I guess I’m a little preoccupied with all things wolf,” I said.

“Especially if they start with a J?” he asked, and I gave him a halfhearted laugh. “He’s not backing out of his promise to you.”

My gaze snapped to the curly-haired surfer dude. “What?”

“George told me what happened last night at the diner,” Lenny said. “Bad luck that was, Jack walking in when Marcus was there. You could’ve cut out his heart with a spoon and hurt him less.”

“It’s not like I knew either of them were coming to the diner,” I said then looked away. “The last I heard, Jack was off proposing to Alexia.”

“Bullshit.”

“He did. Alexia told me he asked her to marry her yesterday,” I said.

“He wouldn’t propose to that two-faced twit,” Lenny said. “At least not after meeting you. If anything, she proposed to him. Alexia smells power like a fly smells shit. She’s drawn to it. Seeing Jack with you at his parent’s house likely put her on his scent again.”

“Why?”

“He’d met his mate,” Lenny said as though it should’ve been obvious. “With you at his side, the wolf was finally ready to step up and claim his place—and the power that comes with it.”

I slouched. “But he loved her first. She’s his type.”

“The hell you say.” Lenny snorted. “She’s the type of chick Jack dates to keep the matchmakers off his tail. Willowy, feebleminded twits, too weak to fight their way out of a wet paper bag without his help. Not one of them, Alexia included, has the wherewithal to be a proper alpha female. And Jack knows it.”

“She’s still the more strategic choice, and Jack wants to be alpha more than he’s ever wanted a real wife—a mate,” I said. “Marrying Alexia eliminates any risk that Marcus can challenge for alpha. Why wouldn’t he jump at it—at her?”

“Because he loves you,” Lenny said.

My heart leapt for a beat, then I remembered. “No. He doesn’t. He told me so.” My blood iced through my veins at the memory.

“Well, then he lied,” Lenny said. “I know Jack better than anyone, and the boy’s in love. He just doesn’t recognize the signs.”

“Is one of them imbuing the person you love with the essence of a wolf?” I asked. “’Cause I suggested that one and he basically accused me of cheating on him.”

Lenny sat straighter. “Has that happened?” He leaned over and sniffed my head. Then again. He leaned back. “I can’t tell. I smell . . . something.”

Weird how I was starting to get used to that sort of thing.

I shrugged. “It’s been a few days. I thought I started to shift in the shower at Jack’s parent’s house. But nothing since then. I don’t know, maybe Jack’s right and I just imagined it.”

“And no one bit you? You’re sure?”

I huffed at him. “Seriously? I mean, do you really think it’s possible to get bitten by a wolf and not realize it? Yes. I’m sure I wasn’t bitten.”

“Right. Dumb question,” he said. “It’s just that I’ve never met anyone who’s been turned by the passion of a wolf.”

“But you’ve heard of it happening?” I asked, hopeful. “It’s a real thing?”

Lenny nodded. “Yeah. I mean, theoretically. Most of our pack was born. So the wolf essence was already inside us. The few who were turned were bitten before they started manifesting any signs. But Frank’s positive that it can happen. He makes a big deal about it having to be true love.”

“So it definitely has to be love?” I asked. “Like, awesome sex wouldn’t do the trick?”

“No.”

“I’m talking seriously mind-blowing sex.”

“Sorry, sweets,” Lenny said. “It’s got to be love. Real love. And I don’t think you imagined it. In fact, it proves I’m right. Jack does love you. He’s just in denial. The dude’s got baggage.”

“Who doesn’t?” I carried around a twelve-piece set of my own.

“It’s not entirely his fault. His dad’s a bit of an ass and he cheated on his mom. Nearly broke her heart. It screwed Jack’s whole view of love and life mates. He’s convinced his mom is trapped in a miserable relationship because of our traditions. The poor bastard’s terrified the same will happen to him.”

“Is that what happened with Alexia? She cheated on him? Or was it the other way around?” I’d heard two versions and I wasn’t sure who to believe.

“Both,” Lenny said. “Though if you want to be technical about it. Alexia did the actual boinking—with Marcus. Threw Jack for a bit of a loop, but the truth is he was never really committed to the woman. Hard to be faithful to a mate who never believed in life mates to begin with.”

Jack didn’t believe in love. He didn’t want to love. What flavor of crazy was I that I loved him anyway?

I shook my head, my brain beginning to throb. I held my forehead. “I don’t understand. I thought life mates were a kind of fated love. Once you find the one, you’re not supposed to want anyone else. How can infidelity even happen?”

“Not often, that’s for sure,” Lenny said. “It’s as rare as being turned by passion. In Frank’s case, he was drugged by another pack. Their alpha couldn’t get his mate preggers, so she got her beta to help her drug Frank just enough to take advantage.”

“That’s insane,” I said, fighting to keep my mouth from gaping. “Who does that?”

“Pups are vital to a wolf pack,” Lenny said, serious as a heart attack. “Especially alpha pups. Born wolves are stronger than the bitten, and pass that strength to their young. But miscarriages are a constant plague on our kind. Most are lucky to have one pup survive. Frank had two—Jack and his little sis.”

“Marcus has a brother.”

“That he does. A rare and wonderful thing . . . some say. They’re the first siblings in their line . . . though survival of the first pup might have been a sick quirk of nature, if you ask me. Still, the Russo line is beta. The alpha female wanted Frank’s stronger lineage.”

“And Meredith blames Frank for what happened?” I asked. It seemed obvious to me that Frank was the victim.

“No. But a part of her life mate was taken, and she felt it just as keenly as if he’d given it willingly. She’ll suffer that missing piece forever, but she loves him as sure as the day they bonded. And he loves her.”

“Really?” I raised a skeptical brow. “You sure? They fight a lot.”

Lenny laughed. “Jack says the same thing. But it works for them. They’re both strong-willed alphas. Fighting is almost a kind of . . . foreplay for them. She loves him still. I’m sure of it. That’s the real reason behind Jack’s hang-ups. He knows how his mother suffers from what happened and still won’t leave Frank. Jack’s terrified of loving someone so much that they could destroy each other and be unable to escape the pain. The idiot doesn’t even realize it’s already too late.”

“Too late for what?” I asked, instinct fluttering through my belly.

“Too late to avoid love,” he said. “If you’re shifting, you’re already bonded. You’re mates. No going back now.”

“That can’t be true. I mean, I’m not sure what’s happening,” I said. “I haven’t shifted since that first night, and I don’t really feel the wolf anymore.”

“Jack, ya bullheaded ass,” Lenny said, half mumbling under his breath. “It’s because Jack’s pullin’ away from you. His love’s what transformed you. The love of his wolf keeps yours alive inside you. He needs to give you the bite to make it permanent—to make you lupo mannaro.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

“You’ll still be life mates,” Lenny said. “No way to undo it. Fate brought you together and sealed the deal—twisted bitch that she is. But if he doesn’t accept it, if Jack doesn’t take the next step and give you the bite, you’ll both be miserable forever. It could get bad. You might feel the wolf inside you from time to time, but you won’t be able to transform. You’ll be one of us, but always outside of the pack.”

“So now what?” I sighed. “What am I supposed to do with this information? Call him? Will he even speak to me?”

“Naw, he’s got his mind set,” Lenny said. “He’s convinced if you don’t really love him he’s safe. Catching Marcus at your diner was a convenient piece to his paranoid puzzle. He told me and his dad you called off the wedding.”

“I didn’t,” I said then reconsidered. “I mean, not technically. I told him he should explore his options if he wasn’t sure about our arrangement.”

“Thought as much. The dude is the bravest, level-headed guy I know. But when it comes to love he’s a friggin’ idiot,” Lenny said. “Y’know, he’s still fighting to keep your diner open? Say’s he made you a promise. He’s going to talk to Marcus. See if they can work something out if Jack promises not to challenge for alpha.”

“What? No.” I shot to my feet. “Lenny, I can’t let him do that. He has to be alpha. It’s all he’s ever wanted. The pack needs him.”

“Don’t see how you can stop him.”

“I’ll talk to Marcus. You said Jack and I are already mates whether he admits it to himself or not.” I wasn’t sure I believed that. I could still hear the hard edge of his voice echoing through my mind telling me he didn’t love me. But I wasn’t the one who needed to be convinced.

“That’s right,” Lenny said. “He just needs to take that final step and give you the bite.”

“Marcus doesn’t know that. I’ll speak to him as the future alpha female,” I said, my hands shaking, adrenaline storming through my veins. I pulled my phone from my back pocket. “I can’t let Jack give up his birthright. I’ll figure something out for the diner, but Jack will be alpha. I’ll make sure of it.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Lenny said pushing to his feet beside me. “No need to pretend at being alpha female. Just like your mate, you were born an alpha.”