"If the rest of our annoying-ass cousins can find fated mates, then so can you."
Even though she’d said something rude, I knew she meant it playfully.
"I don't think our cousins are annoying," I pointed out.
"Hey, you weren't there when Ashe threw a tantrum a while back. Anyway, Leveret, you're a total catch. And if anyone disagrees, I'll rip their eyes out."
"Don't do that. It's mean."
"I'm just joking." Recognizing that my mood had mellowed out, Lupa patted me on the back. "You're worrying too much. Look, our whole family—the whole frigging pack—is made up of fated mates. Why would fate skip you, out of everybody?"
I frowned. That was a possibility I hadn't even considered, but now it nagged me.
"It's statistically unlikely for this many people to find their fated mates in quick succession," I said.
Lupa rolled her eyes. "Who cares about statistics? What are you, a mathematician?"
I ignored her comment. "Fate doesn't owe me anything. Just because everyone else found their mates doesn't mean I will." I leaned my chin on my knees. "Maybe I'm too different."
A wolfish growl rumbled in Lupa's throat. "Don't say stuff like that. Look at Bear. He's different, but he found his fated mate with Ashe."
"Bear is not that different," I argued. "He's mute, like Starry. No one else is like me."
"So?"
"So there might not be anyone out there for me."
Lupa huffed. She was frustrated, but I couldn't help it. I wouldn't have felt this way at all if she and Starry had never said anything. They'd opened this can of worms and now the lid wouldn't go back on.
"Lev, you're not an alien from outer space. You're notthathard to understand. You just have a different way of communicating sometimes. All it takes is a little effort to know you," Lupa said. "Are you worried that a potential mate won't put in that effort?"
I nodded miserably.
Lupa shook her head. "Your fated mate is out there. Someone who'll understand you no matter what."
Was that true? Was there really one true mate for me out there? A person who loved me despite my quirks?
I didn't know. But I held on to that hope.
"Do you know what I think?" I asked.
"What?"
"I think you're saying all this to make me feel better."
"So what if I am? That doesn't make what I said any less true," Lupa countered.
There was no winning arguments with her. Despite that, I couldn't help smiling. It was nice of her to try. Even if we were polar opposites who didn't always agree, we were still twins. I could always count on Lupa to be on my side.
"I'm sorry I wasn't more excited earlier when you told me about Hazel," I murmured.
Lupa smiled. "It's okay. I know you get overwhelmed sometimes."
I was glad she understood. I hoped my future mate—if he even existed—would be as understanding as her.
"I want to meet Hazel someday," I said.
"Of course you will! Once she stops acting like such a human about everything," Lupa said with a laugh.