Page 3 of Little Howl of Moon

“I am sorry, once again, Uncle B,” he said. “I just . . . I didn’t want everyone to know. Layla has successfully matched some monsters, and I thought it would be easier to ask her. But then I was unkind to her. I feel awful. I am not myself right now.”

“I will not tell anyone,” I said. “As for my children, I’ll tell them to mind their business. Your parents will be happy and proud of you, though.”

He winced and surprised me by nodding his head toward the front door. “Can we go outside?”

“Of course.” As we closed the front door behind us, laughter followed from the kitchen. I smiled as I leaned against the porch post and regarded Steel thoughtfully.

I had someone in mind for him. But . . . I just wasn’t sure if either of them would truly be ready for each other. I’d planned on waiting another year or two before pushing them together.

Steel raked his claws over the top of his head through his fur, then crossed his bulky arms. “I feel like I’m losing my mind. I don't know what’s happening.”

“Have you not discussed ruts with your father?” I asked, alarmed. I knew Al. Of course he’d talked to him about this?—

“Yes, but I don’t think I really understood what he meant. And besides,heis dominant in all aspects . . . I . . .”

He was struggling to get his words out, but I already knew what he meant. Steelwasan Alpha werewolf, but when it came to what he really needed . . .

Well, he didn’t need someone submissive in the bedroom.

“I have someone already picked out for you,” I said. “Well, rather, fate has done the work. But I was not going to match you for some time.”

His eyes widened. “Why not? Why would you withhold my mate?—”

“Because your potentialmatelost his wife. It’s been five or six years at this point, but that can feel like a mere blink of time while one is grieving. And to be honest, I did not see the strings until about a year ago?—”

“A year?!” Steel growled. “A whole fucking year you’ve known who my mate?—”

“He isnot your mateyet,” I snarled. “He is not a prize. Mates are not a piece of candy you get after a bad day, Steel. This is a life partnership we’re talking about. I did not bring you together becauseyouwere not ready either.”

His ears flattened against his head and he looked away. His posture lost some of its edge, but only slightly.

This was the thing about werewolves—they were all so possessive. Especially during a rut. Al was by far the mostchillwerewolf I’d ever met, and that was saying something given how possessive he could still be at times. But both Luna and Quinn had him wrapped around their fingers, though, so it created balance.

Steel needed balance in his life. But was he ready?

And the human I knew could be his—was he ready too? Was it right for me to bring them togethernow?

I pinched the bridge of my nose. My gut was almost never wrong, and I was unsure about this. I wasworriedabout this. Plus, what if Death went after all those I’d matched like Lucy did all those years ago?

“Please,” he whispered. “Please match me. I’m desperate.”

His words made my chest ache. With a soft sigh, I decided that yes, I would match them.

“You know the drill.” I offered him a grim smile. “Next Friday. Nine in the morning, sharp. Don’t be late.”

His tail started wagging. “I won’t be late.”

My smile broadened. “It’ll be good. Okay?”

“Okay. Thank you. Thank you so much.”

“Of course. Now . . . I’m going to handle some things.”

Steel gave a quick nod and started to head down the steps, but then stopped. “Is everything going to be okay with Layla? She . . . she’s changing. And so is Luca. They are not like how they used to be.”

“I hope they will be okay.” My throat constricted. “It is all I can hope for. We are doing our best. But, be glad your soul wasn’t accidentally reaped. That would have been a massive fucking headache for all of us, and I do think your parents would have killed me.”

He chuckled. “Mama would have for sure.”