Page 113 of Mate Me

As I walked down the hallway toward my room, Pol and Abyssian were heading toward the dining hall. “Abyssian, can I talk to you for a minute?”

He raised his brows in surprise, giving me a warm smile. “Sure.”

He shooed Pol away, and as usual, his counterpart looked on with a healthy dose of suspicion. Still, he left us, which I appreciated.

When I figured he was out of earshot, I spoke quickly, keeping quiet, just in case. “Clara's been acting really weird. I know the entire experience of being poisoned really freaked her out, and rightly so, but I'm worried about her.”

Abyssian glanced up, looking behind me briefly, his jaw clenching. When he met my gaze, he softened. “I know. I hate how much she's hurting.”

“Can you do me a favor?”

“Of course.”

“I don't know how serious you guys are, or how serious you are about her, but will you keep an eye on her for me while I'm gone?”

He took a quick step back. “Gone? You can't leave. You and Caius accepted the mate bond?—”

“It’s just for the day.” I smiled at his immediate concern. “I'm gonna go visit my family. Clara was having a really hard time letting me leave. I haven't spent enough time with her, so if you could just stay with her until I get back, it would be appreciated.”

Understanding crossed his features. “Absolutely. I won't leave her side.”

“Thanks, Abyssian.”

I squeezed the side of his bicep as a small gesture of gratitude and kept walking. Moments later, a shiver ran up my spine, and I shuddered. I could not shake the feeling of unease as I headed to our bedroom.

It was the indescribable feeling of being watched.

Or hunted.

Chapter35

Reagan

Alight breeze lifted the strands of my hair, making them blow across my face. I smiled up at the old house that had been my family's home for generations. While I now had my place with Sin and Clara, this was my dad’s home base. Tío Amos and Tía Celeste, and a ton of their children lived here now. It wasn’t as grand as it was before the shifter portal opened. Time and the elements had taken their toll, but even with peeling paint and loose shutters that creaked incessantly in a strong wind, it was a comforting place to be. Familiar scents, mismatched plates and repaired furniture; everyone was loved behind these walls.

The new ache pulsed inside me. Both places felt like home.

So much had changed since Ben tried to mark me. That simple action was the catalyst, forcing me to face new challenges. The infection that tried to kill me. The ward breaking. Chasing Caius into Tartarus and discovering he was my mate. While my life had changed, I also knew that deep down, I had changed. These events altered me irrevocably.

No matter how much I changed, this was still my first home. My dad was still my dad. Sin was still my sister.

The wooden steps let out a groan as I started up them. My fingers trailed over the rough wooden railing. My backpack was slung over my shoulder, and my hair was braided back and secured with a simple leather tie. The tunic I wore was loose, but form fitting. All the training had honed my body and shed softness from the most visible parts of me. It would always cling to my ass and thighs to some extent. That was just me, and frankly, I loved it. Even though I still felt like myself, there was no doubt in my mind that I looked different.

I counted to ten and opened the door. The wood panel swung back on slick hinges, hitting the wall protector Tía Celeste installed after someone made a hole in the sheetrock one too many times.

“Dad? Sin? Anyone?” I called out while strolling into the foyer. I caught the door edge with the tip of my boot and nudged it closed.

Sin was the first to appear. Dark circles lined her eyes. I barely had time to look at her before she threw herself at me, arms wrapping around my upper half and squeezing tight.

“Hey,” I said softly, hugging her back. Her familiar scent triggered childhood memories to resurface. Playing tag until I accidentally knocked over a lamp and Tía made us stop. Rainy days spent inside with board games and pizza. One after another flashed through me, and it made me cling to her more.

“I’m never letting you leave again,” she said.

“Right,” I said quietly, knowing I’d need to explain the situation at some point real soon, but now wasn’t the time.

“Reagan?” My father’s voice made my head snap up. He filled the doorway with his massive frame only a second before Sin and I were lifted off the ground in a bear hug. His wolf let out a low growl, happy to have its pack back in one place.

It was like a dam broke. Cousins flooded the foyer, each wanting to hug me or give me a fist bump. Tía Celeste sobbed as she clung to me, but thankfully Dad saved me from too much of that by dragging me under his huge arm, wrapping it around my shoulders.

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