The Beta's Missing Mate (Book 16 Of The Regal Eclipse Pack Series)

Chapter 54

"I know, it doesn't make sense and your wolf won't recognize me as your second chance unless you join my pack." 

Bianca stared at the man sitting across from her in shock. Aidan's brother was her mate? Her fated mate? Her second chance? To say she felt shocked was an understatement. But then she thought of something. "How long have you known?" 

Zane sighed softly, his gaze dropping to his hands and she had her answer before he even said a word. "From the moment I laid eyes on you."

She swallowed at that and felt hurt. He'd known and he'd walked away. He didn't want her. Story of her life. First Aidan and now Zane. Though Aidan had never wanted her in the first place, and apparently neither had Zane. Was she that broken? Maybe. "I need to be alone, Beta."

"I'm not leaving." 

Her gaze darted up to him in surprise. "I'd prefer you did." 

She saw his eyes flash and he breathed out slowly. "Bianca, the only reason I left was because of my brother. It had absolutely nothing to do with you. I knew how bad of shape my brother was in and how desperately he needed this to work. I made a rash decision. A stupid one that I regretted. It's why I came back yesterday and told Aidan that I couldn't do this. That I was going to be selfish and claim you as mine."

She hated the tears that were falling right then, and she brushed them away, annoyed with herself for crying. She still felt a bit hurt though. "Your brother is mad at you."

"Yeah, for taking off and for not telling him that you're my fated mate. I'm aware," he responded. 

Her gaze came up to meet his and she looked him over slowly. Zane did look a lot like his brother Aidan, though his hair was lighter in color than Aidan's. His eyes were similar though, but probably a shade darker. He was as tall as Aidan, and just as broad shouldered and well muscled. Her thoughts went to Aidan shirtless, and she wondered if Zane looked the same? Did he have any tattoos? Or piercings? She'd be lying if she said she wasn't curious. 

"Bianca, I'm sorry. It was never my intention to hurt you," he said quietly. 

"When did you come back?"

"Yesterday. Right before Aidan came down here and talked to you," he said. 

"Why didn't you come talk to me then?" She was trying to figure him out. She still wasn't convinced he wanted her. 

"Because I know your wolf wouldn't recognize me as your mate. I was torn between telling you and waiting until you joined the pack and figured it out yourself. But when you didn't show up for dinner last night and then breakfast this morning, I began to worry about you and decided to come check on you." He leaned forward in his seat. "I'm glad I did." 

Bianca frowned at him. She was still having a hard time wrapping her head around the fact that he was her mate. She knew it was because she didn't feel the bond at all. 

"Bianca, if I have to grovel at your feet for the rest of my life, I will," he told her quietly, his face serious. 

Her lips parted. Him grovel at her feet? He was one of the most powerful werewolves in the world, much higher than her in rank, and he was willing to grovel at her feet? "That's an awfully long time, Beta."

His lips tipped up. "Please call me Zane."

"I understand why you did what you did. I would do anything for my brother. Especially because he was there so much for me after ..." She felt that familiar ache in her chest, and her gaze dropped. The man sitting across from her had the power to take it away. If she joined his pack, she'd have a new bond with him. A real one with a man she was now fated to. Or would be once she joined his pack.