“This is my beloved, Henry.” Gloria introduced us. He didn’t look up, his attention entirely on Gloria. How he ate her whole with just his eyes, his soft movements as if she was made of fragile glass, made me smile.
“Congrats to you both.” I beamed. “That’s amazing luck you have a mate, Gloria.” Gloria tilted her head, her arms overlapping Henry’s as he held her waist.
“What do you mean? If one of our parents has found their mate, we will find ours in this life too. That way, we live along with our parents,” she said softly. “It would be sad if a parent lived on without their children, wouldn’t it?”
What?
“T-this is proven?” I stuttered. Gloria only nodded, squeezing Henry’s arm. “Are you sure?” I asked again.
“Of course,” Gloria said. “I didn’t think I would ever find my mate. I have been here for six months. Henry just found out about the coven and practically raced here when he found out. A lot of vampires and werewolves are coming in, actually,” Gloria quipped.
Leaning against the wall, I held my breath, my hand to my chest to feel my heart stop. My lips parted, blood draining from my head. Sebastian already had a mate. He lost his. That was why I thought everything would be all right between us. I didn’t have to worry about a mate coming to find him. It was my greatest fear. Now I was the one that had a mate?
Why did I not listen to what mates are… what to look for?
Because you are an idiot saying you didn’t ‘need nobody’.
Sebastian just moved here. He wouldn’t know the terrible curse on the human children that followed their parents. How could he? My hand covered my mouth. My quivering chin would show too much emotion that I wanted to express. Letting out a breath, I clutched my handbag that hung at my side.
Henry raised a brow, stepping forward to steady me. I was trembling. The euphoria from this morning faded to nothing but worry for Sebastian’s disappointment that we could never be.
Or could we? Can I reject someone I don’t even know? I can’t imagine anything stronger than what Sebastian and I have.
“Are you all right?” Henry reached for me as I hung close to the wall, heading to the stairs.
“Fine,” I snapped. “I-I need to go.” Their questions and voices heightened, and my grip on the handrail down the stairs slipped as I almost fell. Pushing the door open, not bothering to close it, I ran to my parent’s house.
Could someone be that cruel? This goddess? Now that I found someone, and after letting him in so quickly, trying to follow this crazy heart of mine, I have to give up Sebastian? I took the plunge with both feet, and I’m supposed to belong to another?
Sebastian said I was his. He said he wouldn’t let me go. What if I didn’t want to go? I wanted the decision for myself.
Panting, I bashed on the door, praying it was Mom. I didn’t care if she had fangs; I needed her just to hug me. She had missed too much of my life in just a month and a half, and I couldn’t stand it.
Justin opened the door abruptly, eyeing me carefully. My hands rested on my knees.
Damn, I need to work out.
“Mom, I need her.” Justin stood in front of the door, trying to close it, but I pushed him away. The contact surprised him as he stumbled out of the entrance. “Mom!” I yelled. Justin pulled me back with a grip on my shoulder. It was so strong that a bruise would form for sure. “Let go of me!” I screamed. Justin pulled me around, his arms hugging me tightly.
“Come on, Chrissy, I need you to calm down.” I shook my head, trying to pull away. “Let me try some unscenting herbs. See if we can dull your scent first,” he murmured.
“Vanessa,” he called. “Finish the blood pouch before you come down.” Justin reached in his pocket, a spray bottle of an odd smell coating my skin.
“This is against the law to use in the coven,” he muttered. “I’m going to be in so much shit later.” He coughed as he sprayed more.
“Is it true?” I strained, banging on his chest. “Is it true that I am supposed to find my beloved since Mom has you?” My head lifted from his shoulder. Justin’s mouth pursed with displeasure.
“It is.” He lowered his voice, turning away. “It is true.”
Mom’s footsteps stepped lightly downstairs. She was radiant, so young and vibrant. No more wrinkles, and her skin glowed with warmth; hints of red splattered across her cheeks. She was the epitome of beauty. She was always beautiful, but it was like a giant highlighter colored her in.
I ran from my stepdad’s arms and flung myself into her. “Oh, Chrissy.” She petted my hair, having us sit on the stairs. “It’s all right.”
I shook my head. “No, it isn’t… It really isn’t.”
I explained what happened to Wyatt. The cheating, how sorry he was, and how I hadn’t spoken to him since we had left for the coven. I didn’t want anything to do with him. Just to cut him out of my life. Justin snarled at how disrespected I was. His eyes glowed red, demanding to know where he could find him.
Justin stepped forward, putting his hands on my shoulders for comfort. His eyes widened for a fraction of a second, pupils dilating. My head winced, feeling the forming of a headache until he put his hands at his side.