WHEN PENELOPE asked Joaquin how did he figure out this matter, he only pinched her cheeks with more strength before letting go. He sat by the tree-step wooden stair and waited for Lance to come out. It looks like he still valued Lance's privacy. Or that he wanted to be sure first before disclosing any information to her. Penelope bent her knees to join him.

They still didn't claim their mating bite. Penelope doesn't like to ask why because she herself is contented with how they work together. She doesn't need to feel insecure because she got all of Joaquin's attention for herself. Joaquin, in turn, didn't ask more than brief kisses and warm hugs.


Although with their physical state, Penelope knew that the mating season will come whether they ask for it or not. All they need for now is to go with the flow.

"I should watch another movie. The last film was horror—it was distracting seeing bodies fall over for no reason, yeah?" Penelope and Joaquin had another hobby. Penelope knew that Joaquin had a stock of films he saw when he's young. Penelope binge watches all of them while making commentaries so that Joaquin won't be left out. It was more enjoyable that way. Joaquin listens to her laugh while Pen enjoys him playing with her hair. "A comedy one."

"Okay then." Joaquin lowered his head and laid it on top of Penelope's shoulder. He breathed. "Father didn't bother visiting us, hmn? It's impossible that he didn't know about these rabbit shifters. He should be alerted by the barrier when he made it. Yet still, he didn't take action and let them rest at the cave cold and hungry."


"Maybe he didn't notice. See? He was on a hurry when he came that day."

"Stop making excuses for him. It just proves how lousy he is for a blue wolf." Joaquin smiled wanly. "I'm always aware of what he truly is inside. I don't know what's with the fate's eyes when they hailed him the blue wolf in this century."


"What?" Lance's snark came behind them. "You now have a mate but you still needed a father to nurse you? Are you saying you're some kind of useless—"

"Stop feeling for him so much. My father doesn't care about you. I'm his son and he would rather leave me behind. He's not some sort of god, Lance."

"Still! He's your father." Lance look down on his nails and wince. "So, what are we going to talk about? Adarmus won't answer my calls. Just so you know."

"Oh, okay. This is not about him. Since when did you find out about your mate?" Joaquin didn't even lift his lashes.

Lance squinted. "Last day when—wait, what?" He paled. "How did you know? What? Did you guys smell it from me?"

"So you were claimed?"

"No!" Lance exploded. "Not a bite! Just a sniff! He… damn dog, he pounced at me when I was on my way here. Luckily, I was able to save my dignity and crawl my way here. Why are you laughing, Ms. Pen?"

"Damn dog? Does that mean, he's a wolf shifter? And a man at that!" Penelope held her stomach and laughed.

Lance took great offense in her reaction. "Look at your crazy mate, Joaquin! She's laughing at my expense and you are not even telling her to stop?" Joaquin's lips twitched. It was the last straw for Lance. "What? You think this is funny too? Don't you know that everything confuses me so much? As to why do I have a mate? Why is it has to be a male? Why me? I'm not a wolf! And why the fudge does he smell so good?"

"Where did you meet him again? At the foot of this mountain?" Penelope sobered up in an instant. Joaquin stiffened.

"Yes! That's another matter to be cleared up too. Why is he spying at the feet of the mountain alone with his rucksack and scarred face? He looks awful! I don't want him!"

"Lance," Joaquin said, "are you thinking the same?"

"That he could be a mercenary? Yes! It crossed my mind a thousand times since the first time I saw him."

"And you did not warn me or anyone about it?" Joaquin crossed his arms. Lance rolled his eyes and leaned against the door with nonchalance. "The whole mountain was guarded. No one can come close. Now that I told you about it, what did you feel? Worried over nothing?"

Lance eyed their silent agreement and heaved a sigh. "Look, he's my mate. I know, but sadly I don't believe that we should end up together. I survived being killed the first time. This mating pull is nothing for me."

"Why do you have to endure this, Lance? Maybe I could find a way?"

"You need a reason?" He chuckled. "Simple. I don't want him. I saw his face and I swear he doesn't look good. This might be awful to hear for both of you, but I'd rather stay alone than be with a guy. You have to understand me. This is my right to say no to that mating. We're not destined together. Maybe there's a problem up there but I hope this will get over soon. I have no interest playing house with anyone."

Joaquin pressed down the urge to defend the fates. He was happy being partnered with Penelope. He couldn't understand how blind Lance is to appreciate the gift of the fates.

"Okay, Lance. We understood. We're not going to say anything against your decision." Penelope grabbed Joaquin's arm and said, "You can go back to cooking now."

"Oh, thank goodness." Lance with his exaggerated eye-roll left the scene with a frown. Penelope smiled at Joaquin. "He's been lying at the last part, darling."

Joaquin blinked. "He did what?"

"I know your senses don't work when you're overwhelmed but mine works perfectly just fine. He's lying." Penelope gave him a tight-lipped smile. "Maybe he wants to protect you but he's lying when he said he didn't want his mate."

"I wanted to help him."

Penelope eyed her mate. "But how? He already said no. You can't force Lance. That's not good."

Joaquin held his forehead and thought, 'Why does he need to be like this?'