I sat across from Catherine at the long banquet table set outside near a freshly planted garden. I put a scoopful of grapes on my plate next to the blueberry muffin.

"Mind if I take this chair?"

That voice speared direct into my heart, halting every muscle.

"William! Sure!" Blake laughed. "Her date's a no show."

He then sat in Rick's empty chair on my left and I turned to him, the spoon still hovering over my plate. He was gorgeous and fresh from a shower, the earthy rosemary scent that was him filling my head. He hadn't shaved his stubble and wore a handsome white button up shirt and nice jeans. But all I could picture were his bare abs pressed against me. My lip twitched.

"Good morning Caroline."

A blush immediately overtook my face and I looked down to my plate. I put the spoon back with the bowl of grapes. "Good morning William." Husband-mate-whoever you are. I was so embarrassed that I was having those kind of dreams about this person I knew absolutely nothing about, I almost didn't want to look at him. I quickly put a grape in my mouth to stop me from saying anything stupid.

"Have nice dreams?"

Half chewed grape shot down my windpipe and I started choking.

Catherine's voice screeched through my coughing. "Caroline! Oh my goodness! Are you okay?!"

Faces from the long table pressed my way in concern.

William started patting my back with a chuckle. Not helping! I told the stupid sexy fireworks in his hand. I nodded and grabbed a drink of water from the pretty goblet before me. "Sorry, yeah. Just went down the wrong pipe."

Catherine laughed. "You need to chew Caroline."

I tried to laugh it off, my face going instantly red again. "Yeah-ah-ha. Silly me."

Faces turned back into individual conversations.

William plated himself up some brunch items that were in front of him. He then held out the bowl of scrambled eggs. "Want some?"

"Uh, sure. Thanks." I tried to smile and take the bowl from him. When our hands connected and his warmth pressed into me, my glance shot to his.

"Nice weather today, isn't it?" He let the bowl go.

I looked up to the fluffy clouds decorating the sunlit morning. "Lovely."

But not as lovely as you, sweetheart.

A scoop of eggs splatted across my plate as William's tone invaded my daytime thoughts. Oh great. Now I'm imagining him without a drink too. Maybe I need a mimosa after all. I put the bowl back in an empty spot on the table and scooped the eggs in a neat pile on my plate.

I enjoyed your dream last night. It was very ...persuasive.

I placed my elbows on the table and rubbed at my face, trying to push the burn away. But a smile sprung to my hidden lips. I answered my inner William voice. I enjoyed it too. 

Real William gave a light chuckle, then started small talk with Blake. Something about the pack's vegetable garden.

What happened to your fiancé?

I scowled down to my bite of eggs. It was like you said. He was cheating.

Sorry Love.

He left early this morning.

I know. I heard. He smiled through his thoughts. I also heard you singing my name in the shower.

Oh yeah? What did you think? Pretty clever to change 'My Girl' to 'William' don't you think? I snickered softly.

It was very clever Darling.

"No!" I shrieked out loud, and a table full of eyes situated on me.

The seconds ticked on as the stares pushed me down into my seat.

"Caroline?" Catherine questioned.

My heart was punching my rib cage and I tried to take a few breaths. "Uh..." I stalled. "I, uh... just remembered a phone call I was supposed to make?"

Her face turned into bewilderment, and she stared in quiet a few more moments. "Okay? Well, calm down about it. Make the call after you eat."

Another deep breath. "Sorry." My face burned.

Kara what happened?

Just... my real form sighed... don't call me darling.

I see. I apologize. Is sweetheart okay?

A pause as real me tried to catch my breath. Yeah. Sorry, I guess the breakup is still too new in my head.

Oh sweetheart. I'm so sorry. I never want you to hurt.

I guess I still am hurt a little.

Want me to track him down? I can put him out of his misery? I'd be very happy to do it.

A smile started as I took a drink of OJ. Tempting. But no. He's still my boss. I did call him a jerk and threw the ring at him though.

That's my girl. Real William grinned, grabbing for a frosted donut. "The tomatoes almost had a frost. But luckily, the gardeners were able to cover them. It's so hard to get a good garden up this high in the mountains." Are you really going to go back to work then? I thought you wanted to quit?

I picked at my muffin and side glanced William. How did my mind conjure his voice so clearly? So identical in sound to his real tone? I have to. I don't have anywhere else to go.

You could stay with me. We are in need of a pack doctor.

I tried not to smile to my muffin. I'm a vet. I guess I could help out the werewolves.

I tried to tell you last night. You're a healer. So much more than a vet or doctor. We need you. "The corn is starting to sprout. Last year wasn't so great of a year. Hoping it does better this season." I need you, Kara.

Then William Merris's real hand was placed purposefully on my leg! WTF? Alarm bells rang in my brain. My body shut down and my breathing stopped, eyes intensely wide. What the hell was he doing!? GET YOUR EFFING HAND OFF ME WILLIAM!

A half dozen random heads shot towards me, and William's hand replaced on the table, grabbing for a piece of fruit.

Oh my gosh! I sat in complete shock. Now hyperventilating. Did he hit on me? I think he hit on me! He actually hit on me! 

I grabbed for my own pear and smirked to the bowl. He said some sweet things at the dance, but could he really like me?

Of course I do. I've already told you, I chose you for my wife. And sorry Kara. Didn't mean to startle you. Just wanted to let you know how much you mean to me already.

You do? My eyes came down in question to the bitten pear. Why?

We're mates Love. That means our souls are meant to be together. I know you feel the connection. I do too. His arm brushed against me as he reached for the OJ bottle. "The radishes might be ready to pick soon." See? Sparks?

I watched his hand as it grabbed the bottle and began pouring into his cup. I said we were mates last night in my dream. I guess I didn't completely understand what it meant, I just knew it was what I needed to say in that moment to get what I want. You think that soulmates are real?

Of course.

And we are?

Just think of the marks on your neck. Remember? We are married, and our souls are entwined now. I didn't mark you for the fun of it. It's a real commitment for both of us.

I subtly reached to feel over the crescent scars on my neck then sat for a moment contemplating. I took a side glance to William curiously. So he really is my husband?

His lovely smile pressed bright as he chatted with Blake. Yes sweetheart. I am.

How? We've barely spoken.

Government marriages are just a piece of paper. Werewolf marriages are those marks.

But he doesn't have the marks.

I'd let you mark me, but it's not as important for the male to be bitten.

So I'll never be in a white dress? Am I crazy? Was I starting to believe my inner William voice that I was married to a werewolf?

Caroline. For you I'll do anything. You want a Vegas wedding? We'll go. You want a church wedding, just say the word. I'll do anything to make you happy. If you want a classic wedding, of course we'll have one.

But in werewolf culture we're already married. I clarified again.

Yes.

Another quick glance to William beside me. Is it weird that I kind of like the idea of being married to him?

William's real form laughed out loud. I wasn't following his conversation well enough to realize what it was about. No, it's not weird. I like the idea of being married to you too.

I had to smile in response. Do you think he'd let me touch him?

If you don't cuss me out to the table again. He laughed under his breath.

My heart started beating really fast. I picked at another muffin to stop my shaking hands and bit my lip trying to let myself get brave. I took a deep breath and moved my whole leg against William's under the table, rubbing against his calf purposefully.

William's brilliant blue eyes met mine for just a second and I felt like an orchestra burst their final tune in my head. He then looked back to Blake and drank a sip of his juice. His other hand then went back under the table and to my thigh.

Oh gosh! Thousands of butterflies took flight.

I looked back forward. My stomach clenched and a slow breath left my parted lips.

His fingers squeezed pleasurably. It made my thighs press hard against the chair as I tightened, imaging his hands on me as they were in my dream. My arms got goosebumps.

That wasn't too hard, was it sweetheart? I love being close to you. Real William's small talk changed to auto repair or something.

I smirked, grabbing my glass of juice. Close as last night?

His hand tightened at my thigh and the other brought his glass too hard on the table. It didn't break but caused a loud sound and some juice to spill from the top. He nodded a slight smile to his face. "Excuse me." He used his napkin to dab the spots from the tablecloth with his left hand.

Blake laughed at his clumsiness.

Yes. Close like last night was wonderful. His hand started sliding up my leg.

My eyes caught real William's glance giving a warning. He stopped with a sigh, gliding back to his original position.

That's more like it, buddy.

William chuckled under his breath, shaking his head barely perceptively. You started it. "But the carburetor needs cleaning first."

I'll start something. Then in a bold move I hooked my leg all the way around his, the toe of my sneaker toying around his ankle.

He squirmed in his chair and I gave a teasing smile up to him. I leaned against the table, my hand playfully combing through my hair.

William's eyes were fully on me now. A grin played over his lips as he watched.

A slam to the table sounded across from me and I startled back straight into my chair.

Catherine was staring at me wide eyed, hands held rigid on the table. "Caroline! Bathroom now!"

She had been talking with her sister next to her the whole time. Was she mad I wasn't speaking? Wasn't she used to me being quiet in crowds?

She excused herself from the table and stomped around forcefully grabbing my hand. "Come on!"