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“W-what do you mean?” Mostyn asked, his face pale as he looked from Isam to Servas, who cringed.

“I’m so sorry,” Isam said. “It wasn’t my intention to spring this on you like this. I know you’ve only just arrived here, and I wanted to give you time to settle in…”

Isam was all too aware of literally everyone staring at them. This was a conversation they should’ve had in private, but it was too late for that now. He couldn’t take back his or Servas’s words, and now they had to see it through.

“We believe we’re fated mates,” Servas said, his voice apologetic. “I didn’t know for sure until I met you just now.”

“But I don’t know either of you. I can’t even remember Isam in the car at the hospital, and I only met you, what, fifteen minutes ago? How could you possibly know?” Mostyn asked, and it wasn’t an unreasonable question, especially coming from someone who, up until mere days ago, hadn’t even known wolf shifters existed, let alone fated mates.

“I knew the second I laid eyes on you,” Isam said softly. “It felt like coming home.”

Mostyn blew out a shaky breath. “You’re dead sure about this.”

This time, Isam and Servas answered at the same time. “Yes.”

“Are you two together already?”

Servas blushed, and Isam took pity on him. “No. I think, subconsciously, we were waiting on our third.”

“I… I don’t know what to say,” Mostyn finally said. “It’s a lot to process.”

“It is,” Lidon said, with a plea in his tone that Isam had never heard from him before. “And my honor demands that I stress that you’re under no pressure to accept this bond or act on it.”

But if Mostyn didn’t, Palani wouldn’t get the MRI he so desperately needed. Unease rose in Isam. They couldn’t do this to Mostyn. Not in public, in a group of men he didn’t know, when his answer had such severe ramifications.

Isam turned to Lidon. “Alpha, I respectfully ask that you give the three of us some time to talk. I don’t feel comfortable continuing this conversation in public.”

“I agree, alpha,” Bray spoke up. “We need to give them time and privacy to figure this out.”

Isam could’ve sighed with relief at his boss’s support.

“Of course, of course.” Lidon was still distraught, which Isam could understand. “We’ll continue this meeting tomorrow morning.”

Everyone seemed to sense the need to leave, and within two minutes, the barn was empty, leaving Isam with his mates. He sat down again, but this time opposite Mostyn so he could look at him. “I’m so sorry for how this went down.”

Mostyn’s hand was shaky as he dragged it through his hair. “I know. I understand the circumstances forced you.”

“Yeah, but they shouldn’t force you,” Servas said.

“Explain to me how this fated-mates thing works,” Mostyn said.

Isam looked at Servas. Maybe this would be better coming from an omega, so Isam couldn’t use his alpha status even if he didn’t intend to. Servas nodded as if he understood.

“No one knows exactly how it works,” Servas stated. “So most of what we assume to be true is based on experiences in the pack. But the core is that fated mates are destined to be together, and at some point, they all recognize that special bond. It goes much deeper than mere lovers or even husbands. They can’t be separated for long. Palani and Vieno have been friends since childhood and later became more. When they were separated even for a week, both suffered. Physically, I mean. The second they were reunited, those health issues vanished.”

“Damn.” Mostyn’s eyes were wide. “That’s a whole different level of connectedness.”

“They didn’t realize they were mates,” Isam added. “And neither did Lidon and Enar, who were also childhood friends and had been lovers for a while.”

“Lidon and Enar? But they’re both…” Mostyn seemed to catch himself. “I know Enar is a beta, but he looks like an alpha. Two alphas hooking up is not…normal.”

“Normal is a word we’re careful with here.” Isam fought to keep his voice level. If he hadn’t sworn to Adar that he would always keep his secret, he would’ve told Mostyn about his arrangement with his alpha-friend. But he couldn’t betray Adar like that. “We go by consent between two adults. If all parties agree, we don’t have an issue with it. Even if it is two alphas…”

“You guys are really progressive here.” Mostyn scratched the scruff on his chin. “I don’t object, but it’s gonna take time to get used to it.”

“That’s true for all of us,” Isam said kindly. He had to remember how new this all was for Mostyn. “We’re all adjusting to new dynamics.”

Silence fell, and Isam and Servas shared a look.