Max and I are sitting on his porch, enjoying some beers when his phone rings. I knew this was coming, hell, everyone knew. But I am surprised the females lasted this long.

“Yeah,” Max answers the phone.

He listens intently before jumping up from his seat. I don’t ask any questions, already knowing we are headed into town to retrieve his woman and her friends. After jumping into his beat-up pickup truck, I hold on for dear life as Max guns the engine.

“I’m going to tan that woman’s ass,” he says to himself.

“What did they do this time?” I chuckle.

“They’re down at the Thirsty Jug,” Max replies, keeping all his focus on the road.

“Shit,” I mumble under my breath. The last time the women went to the bar, an out-of-towner got his arm broken courtesy of Keela’s mate, Bryan.

We drive in silence, and Max is more manic than usual. The thought of any other man near his mate, not to mention touching her, is enough to drive him around the bend. As we pull into the parking lot, Caine and Calum pull up beside us.

“Guys,” I say, loudly barring the entrance. “Let’s just take a deep breath.”

All of them growl in unison as Bryan pulls his truck to a stop and jumps out to join us.

“I’m serious. Let’s just get your women without all the drama this time,” I say sternly.

“Sure,” Max says before pushing me out of the way.

I wait for all of them to pass me before taking up the rear. As Bryan passes, he hands me a set of car keys. I will be driving myself home tonight, just as I did last time. At least they took Keela’s Jeep this time and not one of those tiny girl cars some of them drive.

At the bar, I order myself a beer while I wait for the guys to get their females in order. Taking a big swig, I turn to watch the fireworks. I’m sure the women do this on purpose. They enjoy riling their mates up because of the consequences.

I chuckle to myself as I watch Calum trying to explain something to his mate, Talon. She smiles at him sweetly, and all of the fight leaves him immediately. She drags him off to the dance floor and pulls him close. My gaze strays away from them in their intimate moment and lands on a petite, voluptuous blonde.

My heart rate spikes, and my hands go clammy as I realize my mother was right.

My mate is here tonight.