The Chef's Sick Mate (Book 17 of the Regal Eclipse Pack Series)

Chapter 35

Lincoln sat down at his table for lunch, his eyes scanning the room slowly. Aidan hadn't shown up yet, and neither had his mate, her mother, or her sister. He'd been in the middle of lifting weights down in the gym when Aidan had linked him and asked him for help with moving. He'd been curious enough to agree, plus Aidan was family, and Linc could never tell him no, so he had headed up to go help out.

That was when he'd met Melissa, Ana's mother, and the female Aidan had been sitting with at breakfast. She'd been very grateful for his help, and he couldn't help but like her. Aidan had told him that she and Ana's father had been divorced.

Everything was still on the plane, and they'd spent the morning unloading it. Several other pack members had come out to help, which made the job quicker, but still, they were moving three people, and there was a lot to move.

Not only was it Ana's mother, Melissa, but also her sister, who Lincoln learned was named Genevieve, and Ana's things as well. Between the three of them, it was a lot of stuff and took two moving trucks. Lincoln had learned they were actually moving two households.

Genevieve hadn't been present, though, which Lincoln had thought was odd, but he hadn't asked questions. He figured it was none of his business. He'd been a bit disappointed, though. He really wanted to see her. He'd sort of convinced himself she wasn't his mate, but he did want to meet her at some point to make sure he was right.

But the moment Lincoln entered the plane, he realized something. The scent he'd caught this morning was also present on the plane. He stood there for a moment, breathing it in deeply. It smelled so good. He wanted to stay right there and indulge in it. It had Maddox's attention as well. And that's what had changed his mind.

He was fairly certain now that Ana's sister, Genevieve, was his mate. The female from his dreams had the same color hair as Ana, which made sense. So where was she?

He thought back over his conversation with Xavier earlier. She was a werewolf now and had been for a bit. Did she know about mates? Had she dreamed about him? But then he remembered Maddie's words. She was only twenty-four. And she'd been sick most of her life. He wasn't quite sure what to think of that.

He absolutely loved her scent, though. Genevieve smelled amazing, and he'd found himself specifically choosing items that belonged to her to carry. Her scent was on him now, and he breathed it in deeply, almost getting drunk off of it. She'd probably pick up his scent too when she walked into her room. Hopefully, she would want to seek him out.

He'd be helping out more later, after lunch. They planned to start moving everything up to the apartment. Some of the stuff would be put in the storage unit that the pack owned. Probably mostly Ana's stuff. But he'd agreed to help for a few hours until he had to go to work. He sighed. Even work wasn't exciting anymore. He was too restless.

That scent hit him again, and his gaze immediately moved to the door. A blond female stood there, her gaze moving around the room, and he saw her visibly swallow before she stepped inside. She didn't look at him. Instead, she lifted her chin and followed her sister, Ana, to the buffet. Genevieve Sawyer. The female he was fated to.

Linc let his gaze travel over her slowly, taking her in. She wasn't very tall. She was actually a few inches shorter than Ana. Her hair was shorter too, coming down to just below her shoulders, though it had lowlights in it, something he hadn't seen in his dreams. Her face was elfin, like her sisters, her pert little nose upturned. He knew her eyes were blue, though he couldn't see them well from where he was sitting. She'd avoided looking at him.

But Lincoln would be lying if he said his body didn't respond to hers. She was absolutely beautiful. Even from across the room, and the fact that he hadn't even confirmed that she was his mate. Her scent had wrapped around him all morning, pulling him in and making him want to meet her, get to know her, and at some point in the near future, finally fuck her, since he never got to in his dreams.

It annoyed him that she wouldn't look at him. He had a feeling this female was going to be stubborn. The thought of it pleased him to no end. He watched her stand in line and let his gaze move over her body. He didn't feel the least bit guilty about it.

She was thin, but he remembered Xavier telling him that she'd been sick most of her life before she'd become a werewolf.

He watched her make a plate and frowned when she took very little, wondering about that. His gaze darted to his cousin, and he watched Aidan scan the place. You're going to sit over here?

Aidan's gaze snapped to his. Any reason why?

Besides the fact that I'm your favorite cousin? I'm pretty sure Ana's sister is my mate.

He saw his cousin's eyebrows shoot up, and then his gaze darted to Genevieve before it moved back to Linc again. You're her mate??

Yes? Why had he said it like that?

You're going to corrupt her. Bad. She's sort of sheltered, Linc. She's nervous about all of this. Really nervous.

There was nothing wrong with a little bit of corrupting, but at the same time, he didn't want to scare her. Linc sighed softly, debating what to do. Technically, they could go about this indefinitely as long as their gazes never met. But it wasn't what he wanted.

He wanted to get to know her. She would be his perfect match. But he also didn't want to push her into doing something she wasn't ready for. If she had grown up sick most of her life and had just recently become a werewolf, then this all had to be overwhelming to her, never mind the fact that she now had a mate. His heart sank. Never mind then. She can come to me when she's ready.

You sure?

Yeah. Is she going to be there helping with moving this afternoon?

Probably

Should I come help then?

If you want to. Totally up to you.

Lincoln watched them move over to a table and sit down. Genevieve was completely avoiding looking his way. He almost wanted to laugh at her stubbornness but decided not to. That probably wouldn't go over well. Plus, Aidan had said she was nervous.

Linc sighed softly. Maybe he should just back off and let her come to him. When she was good and ready. He watched her quietly, wishing she'd turn around, but she never did. It sort of made him feel like she didn't want him. He didn't like it, but he couldn't force her either.

He finally stood and walked over to get rid of his plate, then he turned to walk out of the dining room. His gaze moved to her. She was sitting at a table very close to the door. His gaze darted to Aidan, and he saw his cousin give him a nod. Linc headed back towards the door, purposely walking past her.

At the very last second, she looked his way, and their eyes met. She had the most beautiful eyes. His world flipped then, and his breath caught as, for a brief moment, she was the only one in existence for him. Mate! He stared at her as his steps slowed, but then she suddenly looked away and laughed at something her sister said, completely ignoring him.

Linc's gaze moved to Aidan, who frowned at him and then shrugged. I don't know what's up with her, but she's yours now.

He sighed and headed out of the dining hall and stopped. To say her unspoken rejection hadn't hurt would be an understatement. Much more than Gina cheating on him. He clenched his jaw and headed up to get on the elevator. Now, he had no desire to go help, even though he knew he probably should. But she more than likely wouldn't want him there, and he'd respect her wishes. For the time being.

He got off the elevator and headed down the hall to his room. I'll stay back. I want to help her, but I don't think she'd be very happy if I showed up.

Okay. You're going to have to be patient with her, Linc. She's definitely not Gina. I don't really know her, but I do like her. She has an interesting sense of humor.

He knew that. She seemed almost the opposite of Gina. He sighed, running a hand over his face. Maybe he'd go to the gym now since he had nothing better to do. He headed back to his room and changed, then headed out.