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fell silent again.
    The conversation was a little stilted and awkward. Dana wasn't sure what to say. Maybe Ethan didn't either. She shifted a little on her chair, uncomfortable but unwilling to walk away. The mating instinct drew them together physically. Many couples would be off somewhere private by now. Mate first, get to know each other later. It sounded like a terrible idea but it often worked out well for shifters. Sure, some shifters found themselves mated to someone they disliked but the majority were reasonably happy. Her moose snorted at her, unable to understand why they were just sitting there.
    “So what do you like doing in your spare time?” she asked him. Maybe they could find something they had in common. That would be a good starting point.
    Ethan shrugged again. Mating instinct or not, her mate seemed fairly unenthusiastic. Yet, he still sat close to her. He was giving off seriously mixed messages and Dana found herself hurt and confused. Did he want her or not?
    “I don’t really have much spare time,” he stated. “Work keeps me busy.”
    “Oh.” There wasn’t much else to say. He didn’t seem to want to talk to her or mate her but he did want to sit right next to her, invading her personal space. She didn’t understand.
    Ethan sighed. “Look, Dana. I know we’re mates, you’re pretty, and I’m sure you’re a great person. I’m just not interested in having a mate. Not right now. Maybe never. I can’t claim you.”
    Dana felt numb. A cold creeping feeling started at her neck and crept up her head. She felt stunned, unable to move or respond. Everything felt curiously detached from her. Her mate was rejecting her. Her once in a lifetime, you only get one, mate was saying he didn’t want her. Unable to speak, unable to look at him, she simply stood and walked over to her friends.
     
    ***
     
    Ethan watched his mate walk away. His inner wolf snarled, furious with him for hurting their mate. He had hurt her. He had seen the look in her eyes before she turned away. The shock and the pain that hurt him almost as much as it did her. He was the one who had put that look on her face. All because he was a damaged lone wolf who had nothing to offer a mate. She deserved better. It might not be a true mate but there would be someone who could treat her better than he could. He ignored the stab of pain and the flare of fury that accompanied the thought of his little moose with someone else. This was better for both of them. No matter how much it hurt.
    He wished he could explain it to her but he doubted it would help. Prolonging it would only make it harder. He watched her talk to her friends, her back firmly turned to him. He winced when Leo’s cousin, Katie, shot him a glare. He wasn’t going to be popular around here once word got out. Not that it mattered. He wouldn’t be staying here long. If he missed his chance at the Shifter Stalker, he’d be following him to the next location. If he caught the guy, well, he’d likely still be moving on.
    “What the hell did you do?” Leo asked, sitting down at the table.
    Ethan shrugged. “I told her the truth. That I’m not looking for a mate, right now.” Although he wanted one. He wanted Dana. He just couldn't have her.
    “You’re an idiot,” Leo snorted. “We only get one shot. It happens when it happens. If you’re lucky. I just hope you regret it before it reaches the point where you can’t fix it.”
    Shaking his head, Leo stood and walked away with a muttered “Idiot.”
    Ethan watched as Dana left with her friends, still studiously avoiding looking at him. He found himself watching, hoping for a last glimpse of her face but he was disappointed. This time both of her friends glared at him, before they all left.
    It was for the best. For both of them. Even if he was an idiot.

Chapter 12
     
     
    Dana was quiet on the way back to her house. There was nothing to say. Katie and Fiona were unnaturally quiet too. Katie especially and she