Idris’s strong arms wrapped around me as he guided me toward the kitchen. His warmth was comforting, but my mind was still racing with Zara’s unexpected revelation. My best friend had met her mate while I was unconscious for three weeks. That was a long time to be asleep, and yet it still felt like I had woken up in a different world.

As we entered the kitchen, Zara was humming to herself, slicing fruit on the counter. She turned and smirked at me. "Took you long enough," she teased, ...