Free Hook, Line, and Mated by Jenika Snow

Brenna Watson has now been transferred into your name. She left you the house, which the mortgage has been cleared, and left an amount in a separate account for you.” The human pointed to the papers in front of Jessie. “The exact amounts, and copies of everything you’ve signed are also in there. If you have any questions you can call me anytime, as well.”
    Jessie nodded, and continued to stare out the window. The attorney left her alone in the meeting room, and Jessie couldn’t hold back her tears. They were ones of sadness, but also of this freedom she felt. She knew, just knew, Brenna was looking down at her and smiling. She closed her eyes and smiled, as well, feeling a sense of completion and warmth fill her.
    Where she wanted to be, who she wanted to see, would give her the support and comfort she needed, because she knew no matter what Easton would always be there. She had given herself time, maybe not a lot. Being with Easton these last couple of weeks, even if only talking with him on the phone, had her smiling in happiness at the way he tried to keep away the alpha tendencies, the need to claim her, mate with her. He was a good male, a wonderful mate, and she was ready to see where they could go in this, how much they could really be connected.
    Grabbing her things and heading out, she got in her car and went to Easton’s business, ready to tell him she wasn’t afraid anymore, that being mated was what she wanted. She knew, in her heart, that being happy was all Brenna ever wanted for her. Jessie was tired of being sad, tired of not knowing what her future held. Maybe things would go slow, be unsure at first, but she was willing to try and see where things went with Easton.
    ****
    Easton might own his business, but he got down and dirty, did manual labor like his employees, and loved what he did. This was what his blood and sweat went into, what he’d worked his ass off to be successful at.
    He helped grab another flat of lumber that had been dropped off at his garage, and lifted it easily to carry it to Jason’s pickup. The clouded leopard had his mate with him, but Annabelle stayed in the cab of the truck, her focus ahead. He had a small amount of understanding of what Jason was going through, but only in the sense he needed to give his mate time. It had only been a couple of weeks since he’d found out Jessie was his, and he was giving her the time she needed. But Jason had been dealing with his situation far longer, and it had to be taking its toll.
    Easton loaded the last flat in the back of the truck and wiped his hands on his jeans. Jason closed the tailgate, and looked at Easton. He could see the male inhale deeply, and knew the mating scent was strong on Easton. He’d been taking his time with Jessie, and although they hadn’t seen a lot of each other these past couple of weeks because of his schedule and her dealing with finalizing her aunt’s things, he still made sure to speak with her every night, even if only on the phone.
    It was hard staying away, but boundaries were boundaries, and he was waiting for his mate to give him the cue that she was ready.
    Jason stood there, his hand on the back of his neck, as he rubbed the skin back and forth. It was clear there was something on the male’s mind. “Listen, I wanted to know, since I can scent the mating and your happiness…” Jason trailed off for a second, and looked over his shoulder at the passenger side door, where his mate was. “I wanted to know if you and your mate wanted to come over and have dinner with a few of the Sweet Water mates.”
    Instantly Easton tensed. Even if he was comfortable with Jessie, it was really only with her. He didn’t do social gatherings, not with a lot of people. He felt like his skin was too tight, like he couldn’t breathe. He felt like the walls closed in on him.
    “No pressure, but my sister and her mate planned it, have a few others coming over, thinking it would be good for everyone,