No Voldemort. Bummer.
“You’re not dead.”
“I’m not?” I gasped, thinking back to falling.
I was pretty sure I'd passed out halfway down, so I didn’t remember crashing to my death in a bone-splintering pile of exploded organs, but if I didn’t die…
“Oh, God, am I a vegetable!” I screamed, the thought terrifying me.
“No,” Grammy snickered, her eyes twinkling as she giggled and patted my hand. “Girl, you’re nuttier than Uncle Clay’s shit after he harvests his nuts.”
“Whatever. What’s going on here?” I muttered, looking around at all the white with a frown.
“Not glad to see me?”
“Oh, I’m glad. I’m just a little confused. I’m not dead—”
“Well, technically, you’re not dead.” Grammy mused, sighing when I went still and blinked. “It’s a choice—”
“Okay, I choose you.”
“You so ready to die?” Grammy asked, looking disappointed when I shrugged.
“It’s not as if I have a lot to go back to. And I miss you. You’re the only person who was always there for me, and I don’t see the use of going back.” I whispered, flinching when Grammy slapped me hard and tsked while I gasped and clutched my cheek. “Hey!”
“I thought I taught you better. Life is a gift!” She accused, her eyes narrowing while I rubbed my cheek and glared back.
“I miss you. Is that a bad thing? What do you want me to do, not care that you’re gone!”
“Well, yes. I’m dead, Ren. I’m in a better place, and I’m happy. You’re twenty-five.” she yelled.
“So?”
“So? You still need to live. Have children.” She said gently, patting my hand when I swallowed.
“I don’t want to have children with a man who doesn’t love me.”
“Of course he loves you!” Grammy gasped, giving me a dirty look.
“He doesn’t love me,” I muttered, pouting because it was true. “He barely tolerates me.”
Caleb Chase couldn’t even love himself, never mind me. What the heck did I have to live for?
“What about the way he shifted when he saw you go over the edge? Honey, he willingly, for the first time, allowed both animals free rein, hoping he’d go feral, lose his mind and then jump after you. Hell, he fell for you once before.” She said, snickering when I frowned and shook my head.
“Grammy, no offense, but you’re talking crazy, and I don’t understand half of what you’re saying.” I huffed.
“You’re so clueless. Honestly, Ren, for a shifter with the Knowing, you’re plain dumb.”
“And you’re mean,” I whined, pouting because this hurt.
She was supposed to be on my side, and if I wasn't dead, if I was in some kinda coma, at least my dream Grammy could have my back. Smack talk Caleb at least a little. Heck, I’d settle for her not being mean to me.
“Because you’re willfully blind, honey. The man is a work in progress—”
“He’s a pain in my ass with all his emotional baggage and the way he blows hot and cold.” I sniffed, rolling my eyes when she snickered again.
“Of course he does. He loved someone once, and it nearly killed him. Now he’s fated again, and you expect him to accept that he could be hurt again? Be fair, Ren. Give him a chance.” She snapped.