Natalie took in a deep breath to steady herself before replying to Shirley. "It hasn't occurred to you that maybe the reason I lived was that that connection – solid and true though it was – just wasn't the connection between true mates? That may be the reason I reacted so badly was that I'd just lost my best friend and my mom in the same accident?"
Zane lowered his voice as he spoke. "Look, if your dad's right and you did this to get away from Mark…well he's dead now. You don't have to keep this up. God, you could have come to me, I'd have mated you. I still will if it's what you want."
Natalie smiled. "Zane, that's sweet and all, but first, I can't do that to you and Shirley. Second, do you think I'd ask you to enter a permanent mating with someone you thought of as nothing but a friend – an annoying friend at that – ending any chance of you having a life with your true mate?"
