KYLE POV
A mind-link buzzed sharply at the back of my head, tugging my focus away from the patrol report I was reading.
Gunter.
“I kinda found my mate.”
My pen froze mid-sentence.
“What do you mean “kinda”? “ I shot back.
There was a pause. Not long, but long enough that I could feel the weight of it settle into my chest.
“I—I think I scared her or…” he hesitated, a tightness in the bond.
“Or?” I prompted.
“Or she does want to reject me.”
My chair screeched as I pushed back from the desk, already on my feet.
I was already running on borrowed calm. Between prepping for a stealth mission, training the replacement patrol squads, and trying not to think about bringing Kat with us —we didn’t have time for another emotional crisis.
But this wasn’t just anyone. This was our best frien
