"Did you also think she is going to be your mate?" I asked Gabriel. He shrugged and looked out into the forest.

"I didn't think about it. I figured that I would find her when I was meant to. It wasn't worth worrying about," he said, and I huffed at him.

"Or worth waiting for," I say quietly, and I feel his hand tightening on my own.

"I should have waited. If I knew you were going to be my mate, I would have," he says honestly, never breaking eye contact. I sighed and looked away defeatedly.

"Why?" I asked, unable to curb my curiosity.

"Because I know you would...