Chapter 7

Lucas's POV:

I waited for Matthew to regain his composure.

"When?" Matthew finally whispered, leaning forward with such intensity I could practically see the questions tumbling over each other in his mind. "When did you find out? "

I took a sip of my whiskey, letting the liquid burn a path down my throat before answering.

"I discovered it two days ago," I said quietly, my eyes drifting back to the café below, where Tori had resumed her duties as if nothing had happened. "It was an unexpected encounter."

Matthew let out a low whistle, shaking his head in disbelief. "Unbelievable. The powerful Alpha Lucas Grayson's fated mate is an Omega?"

Duke immediately growled deep within me, the sound reverberating through my chest, though no one else could hear it. My wolf was fiercely protective already, bristling at even the slightest perceived slight toward his mate.

She is worthy. Duke's thoughts pushed into my consciousness with startling clarity.

I marveled at the power of the fated mate bond. Two days of knowing she existed, and already my wolf and I were aligned in her defense, ready to challenge anyone who questioned her value.

I fixed Matthew with a cold stare, my eyes narrowing slightly.

Matthew raised his hands in surrender. "No judgment here. I'm just processing. Besides, she's 21 and you're 31 - no matter how you look at it, you're robbing the cradle." He glanced down at the café again. "How come I never bump into my fated mate while driving around town? Some wolves have all the luck."

I shot him another glance, and Matthew straightened immediately, his expression becoming serious.

"Does she know?" he asked, nodding toward Tori. "That she's the fated mate of Alpha Lucas Grayson? I bet she'd jump for joy if she found out. "

"Her name is Tori," I corrected him, the syllables feeling significant on my tongue. "And no, I think she doesn't know."

Matthew's expression shifted to confusion. "Wait, what? Why haven't you told her? If you've found your fated mate, why aren't you keeping her by your side already?"

I watched Tori move between tables with precision and grace, her silver eyes focused on her tasks. Even in her simple uniform, she carried herself with quiet dignity that many high-born wolves lacked.

"Because after searching for thirty-one years," I said slowly, my eyes never leaving her, "I don't want a mate who accepts me solely out of obligation or fear. This relationship is too fragile."

I turned to face Matthew directly. "I don't want her to be a mechanical presence in my life, fulfilling the role of Luna simply because our wolves recognize each other. I want something deeper."

My fingers tightened around my glass. "Call me greedy, but I want her to belong to me completely—not just her physical presence, but her mind, her trust, her loyalty." My voice lowered. "I want Tori to choose me."

Matthew leaned back in his chair, eyeing me with newfound interest. "This is fascinating. I've never seen you care about anyone's opinion before."

"I've never had a fated mate before," I countered.

"Fair point." Matthew drummed his fingers on the table. "But you can't keep this secret forever, Lucas."

"I'll tell her when the time is right," I said firmly. I paused for a moment, considering. "Though there's a chance she might realize it on her own."

I took another sip of my drink, contemplating the biological realities of our situation. Omegas typically have a more delayed response to the mate bond.

Duke stirred restlessly within me, clearly impatient with this biological delay. The wolf in me wanted recognition, wanted claiming, wanted completion. But the man knew better than to rush something this important.

Matthew stared at my serious expression for a long moment before letting out a deep sigh. His normally playful demeanor gave way to something more thoughtful, almost concerned.

"I honestly don't know if her catching the eye of someone like you is the best thing that could happen to her or the worst luck imaginable," he said quietly, his gaze following Tori as she moved. "That girl has no idea what's coming her way—being suddenly thrust into the spotlight as the mate of the most powerful Alpha in Moonhaven."

"She won't face it alone," I said, my voice dropping to a low, determined rumble. "Whatever challenges come with being my Luna, I'll be right there beside her. I'll handle any threat, silence any gossip, eliminate any obstacle."

The intensity in my own voice surprised even me. "Nothing bad will happen to her on my watch."

Matthew studied me for a moment before his lips curved into a wry smile. "Well, I guess I should tell Megan to finally give up her decade-long crush on you," he said with forced lightness. "Seems like it's past time for her to move on."

Matthew had actively played matchmaker between me and his sister for years, orchestrating "accidental" meetings and creating opportunities for us to spend time together. But love and the mate bond couldn't be manufactured through persistence or careful planning.

Our conversation paused as we both noticed Tori starting to turn off the lights in the café below. The other staff had already left, and she appeared to be handling the closing duties alone.

Matthew raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Aren't you going to offer to walk her home?" he asked. "Might as well commit to your role as her knight in shining armor. The heroic Alpha who saved her from trouble and then gallantly escorts her safely through the night."

I shook my head slightly. "That would be too obvious, wouldn't it?" My eyes tracked Tori's movements as she slung her bag over her shoulder. "I will make sure she gets home safely, but she won't know."

Matthew rolled his eyes dramatically. "Listen to you—the great tactical Alpha, applying strategy to courtship." He shook his head with a sigh. "Love really does reduce even the most brilliant minds to mush. "