We wandered slowly through the mall, examining each window display as we went by. We passed everything from Egyptian sandals to Chinese dragon figurines, strawberry pretzels, beautiful diamond jewelry, and sensual lingerie. It was wonderful just being with William and hearing his thoughts on anything that spiked his interest.

William opened the door to the pink ice cream shop for me and we strode up to the counter to look over the choices. Everything sounded so lovely.

"What are you going to get?" I asked, staring over the glass case.

He pointed to the light green filled container. "Mint chocolate chip."

"Mint?" I made a face.

He grinned and rubbed a hand over my back. "You don't like mint?"

I shook my head hurriedly.

"What's the matter with mint?"

"It's like eating toothpaste in ice cream form."

He laughed. "Well, I like it. What's your favorite?"

I just stared back to the ice creams, a sad confusion now flowing through me. "I don't know. I guess chocolate brownie?"

He nodded, "that sounds good too."

"Mmhmm," I gave a noncommittal murmur, a new gloom sweeping me.

He grabbed my hands and guided me back a few steps from the eye of the server. "Kara. What's the matter?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why are you feeling so worried about this? I can feel it. It's just ice cream."

I glanced to the wide windows and the random mall goers walking the hallways, a sigh in my lungs. "We're mates. Aren't we supposed to be, I don't know, like the same or something? We're supposed to be perfect for each other." Maybe it was a mistake.

"Kara no. Stop. Of course it wasn't a mistake."

"But we like different things."

"You mean because I like mint and you don't?" He stood tall a slight smirk sliding to his lips. "We can still be mates and enjoy different things sweetheart."

I looked back to him, uncertain. "We can?"

He chuckled. "Of course. Mates means we're perfect for each other, not that we're the exact same as each other. We can have different likes and dislikes, we're just compatible as a couple. Like, think of the plane ride. I don't usually care for romantic movies, but I'd be happy to watch them if that's what you wanted to do, because I enjoy being with you. And same would go for you. I'd hope that someday you'd want to watch samurai movies with me because you enjoy being with me."

A smile began to lift one side of my lips.

"We're still both new at this, but I'm guessing we'll find out that we both have a lot in common, but we'll find some things that we choose to differ on too and we'll just talk about it and go on. My parents for example. Mom really likes mayonnaise and my dad really likes Miracle Whip. Do they make a big deal about the other liking their favorite? No. They just get both jars."

I relented a giggle.

He smiled at my turn of heart and rubbed over my arms. "So don't worry if we find some things that don't matter, that we have differing opinions on."

I nodded. "Okay. Thanks."

He hugged me and placed a sweet kiss to my cheek. "Now that we have that cleared up, chocolate brownie then? Or did you want something else today?"

I hugged back, holding close. "Yeah, chocolate brownie. In a chocolate dipped waffle bowl."

"Dipped bowl? Now that's something we can agree on," he chuckled and stepped back, grabbing my hand. "Ready to order?"

"Yeah," I said bashfully and he tugged me to the counter.

We each ordered two scoops in waffle bowls and then sat together at a small decorative iron table near the window to the mall hallway.

"So, your parents like different mayonnaises?" I giggled, placing a spoonful of marshmallow creme in my mouth. "Did that cause contentions at first?"

"Don't laugh," he playfully threatened. "Pack barbeques were a nightmare." He winked. "No. Not really. Like I said, some things just don't matter. What about your parents? Didn't you say they fought about some things? They were still mates. They loved each other just the same, they just had things to work out as a couple like anyone would." He shrugged, "like we may have to eventually."

I frowned down to my ice cream. "They fought, and it was about things bigger than mayo."

He reached over and squeezed my hand. "But you knew they still loved each other dearly and would work it out, right? Even as an eight year old I'm guessing you could see that."

A slight nod and smile crept over my face, remembering the way my father gazed on my mother across the dinner table. "Yes, they did love each other."

"They just had things to talk over and make decisions about as a couple. I want to make decisions with you."

I looked up and smiled. My heart filling with joy and desire, my mouth filling with another spoonful, licking playfully. "I do too."

He laughed and sat back for a few bites of his ice cream. You better stop looking at me like that.

Why's that? My mind asked innocently, a seductive brow lifting. You'll need to end our date early and you still want pizza?

"Kara." He shook his head to himself and took his own bite. "You are a character."

"I know."

His cell rang in his pocket, and he pulled it out and looked over the screen. "It's from the pack. May I take it?"

"Oh, sure. Yeah, go ahead."

He stood and winked at me, bringing the phone to his ear. "Don't steal any of my ice cream."

"Not likely," I laughed at the gross green. "Go talk."

He leaned a quick kiss to my hair and strode from the shop. "Hey, give me just a second..."

I sat in quiet thought, nibbling through my ice cream and pinching away at pieces of my waffle bowl. I watched other couples come in and order when I realized a few minutes later that I couldn't see William anymore. But it made sense. He wouldn't want to talk pack business with all the human ears around.

When the loneliness kept on even after I finished my last bites, I wondered what was taking so long. I leaned out in my chair to search the hallway through the windows, but I still couldn't see him.

Where did he go?

William? Everything okay?

Hi Love. It's fine. Be back in a minute. Just finishing the call.

Alright.

As I sat back, I wondered about the link. How far would it work? Clearly not Utah to Washington if they had to call him now. That sick wolf Evan had to call his mate. Maybe it doesn't even work through the county? What about packs? Does it work between packs? If a mate becomes a mate to another pack, could they still talk to their family in the first pack? I tried to search my murky memories but couldn't come up with anything. It was probably not something an eight year old worried about.

Will strode back in then and sat down. His ice cream was on the way to melting and he eyed his much more picked at waffle bowl. His eyes came over to me in playful warning. "Kara."

I placed on my imaginary halo. "I didn't do anything."

He laughed and ate a full spoonful, shaking his head.

"Everything okay with the pack?"

He nodded. "Nothing to worry about Love. I will tell you what the call was about, but let's not talk about it now."

I looked around to the three other filled tables. Made sense to not chat about werewolves when there were others two feet away. "But everyone is okay?" I worried.

"Everyone is fine. It was just a simple matter of business."

"None of those creatures got out again?"

"Someone just had a question, Kara. Promise. No one has been hurt and I'll tell you about it later."

I sighed a relief. "Okay."

He grinned and took another mouthful, nearly done in three bites. "Do you want to wander around the mall a bit before dinner? We can work our appetite back up."

"I thought you said a werewolf and a half always has an appetite?"

He laughed and then crunched down on his waffle bowl, holding a chocolatey piece out to me too. "I could go now. Can you?"

I gave a teasing smile and swiped the chocolate piece. "Maybe a little walking around first would be nice."