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“We both married other people, but we were never truly happy,” she explained. “Not until we found each other again and were able to activate the mate bond.”

While it was a sweet second chance story, I didn’t like the thought that if Ollie and I didn’t end up together we’d be unhappy for the rest of our lives. It felt like too much pressure. I didn’t like feeling like we had no choice but to be together just because some vague thing called ‘fate’ had ordained it.

That night I canceled my date with Ollie. He knew something was bothering me, but he let me work it out for myself. I spent the rest of the weekend on my own, hiking through the woods and processing my feelings, then had a good conversation with Sage about it that helped me understand that I still had a choice.

When I finally talked to Ollie about what was bothering me a few days later he said, “I’m always here if you want to talk Nora, but I don’t feel entitled to every thought you have. Whenever you need time alone for any reason, take it, I don’t need an explanation.”

That was new for me. Being allowed to take space. Not being expected to be at someone’s beck and call or to explain why I wasn’t doing something. It only made me love him more. The more time we spent together, the less resistance I felt to the idea of officially mating. But then our little bubble of happiness burst, and some of my old doubts returned.

It was the day before Thanksgiving. Ollie and I were snuggling on one of the couches in the library when the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it,” Sage said, materializing in the hallway.

She swore she couldn’t do teleportation, but somehow my aunt managed to appear and reappear places quickly and without being seen.

“She’s in here with Ollie,” Sage said a couple of minutes later.

I looked up to see Sage leading my three children into the library. Scott strode into the room like he owned the place, closely followed by Caitlin and Laura. They all skidded to a halt, eyes widening as they saw the large man with his arm draped around my shoulder.

“What are you kids doing here?” I asked in confusion.

“We didn’t want you to spend the holiday alone,” Caitlin said, her tone a little snide. “But I guess we didn’t need to worry.”

“Given that I’m living with my family, that was a safe bet,” I said drily.

I pulled away from Ollie to give them each a hug, although they were stiff and unresponsive.

“You’ve met my Aunt Sage,” I said, nodding at the woman who was standing by as if she thought she might need to intervene.

Ollie stood up and took a few steps towards me but kept a respectful distance.

“And this is my friend Ollie.”

“Friend?” Scott muttered.

“Ollie, this is my son Scott, and my daughters Laura and Caitlin.”

“Nice to meet you,” Ollie said politely. “I’ve heard a lot about you all.”

“We haven’t heard anything about you,” Caitlin said.

I sent Ollie an apologetic look, hoping that my kids’ rudeness didn’t hurt his feelings. Before I could remind my kids that I didn’t owe them any information on my relationship with Ollie or anyone else, my aunt spoke up.

“You all must be tired after your drive,” she said. “I’ll go get us all some tea and snacks set up in the dining room.”

“I’ll help,” Ollie said, giving me a look I couldn’t interpret.

I reached over and gave his hand a quick squeeze, something that my kids didn’t miss.

“Who is that?” Caitlin hissed as soon as he walked away.

I knew with his shifter hearing Ollie would hear the whole conversation.

“I told you, that’s my friend Ollie,” I enunciated clearly.

“You look like more than friends,” she shot back.

“In fact we are. Ollie is my… boyfriend.”