Page 25 of Mystic Mate

“I like to look at the stars. I have a telescope I use.”

“I’ll have Shaw bring it.”

Salem shook her head. “No. Anyone who knows me knows I have lugged that thing all over the country with me. If it suddenly goes missing, they’ll know I’m not there and not coming back.”

“Good thinking. I’ll have them pull star maps from over the manor and expanding outwards. I’d like to ensure the manor is safe.”

“Agreed.” She barely managed to stifle a yawn. “I’m sorry. I’m not sure where that came from. I haven’t been sleeping well since the key kind of woke up.”

“Perhaps your soul knows it is safe here and will let your body and mind rest. Let me show you to your room. The rest can wait until morning.”

Closing up her laptop Cullen led her up the stairs. What he really wanted was to sweep her up in his arms and carry her to his bed to keep her there. But what Salem needed was rest. It seemed her soul knew where it belonged, and that was a good start. With her here, he’d have time to work on her. He was sure he could convince her that she belonged at his side here at Ghost Moon Manor as mistress of the pack. And if he couldn’t convince her in the conventional human way, he would convince her as other alphas had convinced their reluctant mates. She would be safe and happy here. He would make sure of that.

He led her to her room, opening the door and showing her in, making sure she knew where everything was.

“I’ll see you in the morning.”

“What time is breakfast? I’ll set my alarm.”

“Why not let your body decide when it’s rested? Trust me, Lettie will not see you go hungry.”

“She’s very nice. In fact, everyone has been incredibly kind.”

“They are glad you are here.”

“Why?”

“Because as much as you feel you have been here before, I suspect we feel the same. At least I know that is how I feel.”

“It’s kind of weird, but a good kind of weird. Thank you for letting me stay and agreeing to help.”

“It is my pleasure and is in our mutual interest.”

Cullen closed the door and headed to his own bed. It was cold and lonely, but for the first time it didn’t make him sad. His fated mate was down the hall and soon she would be here with him. Stretching out on the bed, he fell into a deep and restorative sleep.

As the morning sun filtered through the windows, he caught a glimpse of her. For several years after a good night’s sleep, he would wake and just for a fleeting instant would see a woman with long dark hair standing at the balcony’s French doors. The image had always been opaque and when he tried to sharpen the focus, she would disappear. This time was different. This time he could see her clearly. That it was Salem didn’t surprise him. This time when he allowed himself to look at her with clear vision, she turned and smiled before she faded away.

He showered and dressed, heading down the stairs to breakfast. He could hear her laughter coming from the dining hall. As he entered, greetings were thrown his way. Salem was at the head table, seated next to Shaw and across from Miska. The other seat right next to her was empty. It would seem his pack knew their mistress and that her place was next to him.

“Good morning,” he said as he joined them. “I hope you slept well and we didn’t wake you. The pack can be a bit chaotic in the morning.”

“Not at all,” said Salem. “I had the best sleep in forever, but I smell fresh cinnamon rolls. Those suckers are decadent.”

Cullen chuckled. “They are indeed. You don’t want to see the bill for the imported cinnamon.”

“The sphere woke up, so after you have breakfast, let’s see if we can figure out what it’s trying to tell us. By the way, I think you’re right that it’s linked to me biologically somehow. As long as I hold it, it activates and if I put it down next to me or am the only one in the room, it’s fine. If anyone else picks it up or comes between me and it, it shuts down.”

“It was fascinating,” said Miska.

“We even tried it with Lettie and several of the other she-wolves,” said Shaw. “We thought it might be somehow geared towards only females, but it seems to only work for Salem. The techs got the star map pulled up for the manor and then some between here and Kenai. We’re set up in your study.”

“We’re waiting until you finish breakfast. The fate of the world could be waiting, but you take your time,” Salem teased.

“She truly belongs, Alpha,” said Shaw. “Not here even twenty-four hours and she already knows how to goad you. My kind of girl.”

“Oh no. I’m putting my foot down. You two,” Cullen said indicating Shaw and Salem, “do not get to be friends.”

Shaw and Salem looked at each other and then at him. “Too late,” they said in unison.

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