Page 28 of The Guardian's True-Mate

“We’re not on a battlefield, mate,” Dakota said, squeezing my hands.

“Not yet,” I said. “Anywhere can become one.”

“Okay, you need therapy. I know, I know. I sound all tree hugger, flower child, but I’m okay with that. I wish I was the guy who could help you work that out, but I can’t. I don’t know what to say because you’re technically right, but what are the odds of our backyard becoming one?”

I took a deep breath and let it out.

“I’m going to have to unlearn some of what I learned by becoming a guardian,” I admitted.

“Maybe,” Dakota nodded. “I’m sure your coven functions the way it does for a reason. You guys have had some losses away from home, but you kept your home base safe while the world burnt down more than once. That’s some generational stress at the very least, even if you don’t want to call it generational trauma. I’m glad you want to keep me safe. I’m happy you want to keep your brother and Scott and the babies safe. I think right now you’re having trouble discerning what’s a threat and what’s not. I’m not used to hearing spirits either and besides that the true-mate response magic makes people crazy. That’s what it does. It’s a double-edged sword that way. It let’s us know that we chose each other a long time ago, but it also insists that we keep past promises and get back together. I’m sorry I poked so hard about the dead birds.”

“I’m sorry I snapped at you,” I said. “Twice. I’m sorry that I snapped at you twice.”

“Sad and worried does that,” Dakota flashed me a sad smile.

“Thank you for not saying afraid,” I chuckled.

“I don’t think you’re afraid, Alpha. I think if you found something because of the dead birds you’d have killed the threat without thinking twice. You’re not hiding, afraid of threats. You’re worried they’re out there. There is a difference.”

“There is,” I nodded and pulled him into my arms. “I’m sorry I’ve been so preoccupied with all that.”

“It’s okay. I get it. It’s hard to relax when you’ve lost someone to violence. It’s hard to believe that it won’t happen over and over again. I can promise I won’t go to war unless it shows up on our doorstep. The closest I’ve been to a battle would’ve been the night we all tossed our magic at the Mundanes Before Magic fuckers. Even then I was on Hemlock Academy Campus, safe on a roof throwing spells into the void.”

“We helped in that one too. We weren’t exactly invited, but Mom heard about it and anyone who could toss spells helped out.”

Dakota grinned and something inside me softened. It was damn near impossible to believe the world was an evil place when my mate smiled at me like that.

“Let’s finish saving the flour and get cleaned up,” he said and rose up on his tiptoes to steal a kiss.

***

That night we didn’t exchange our claiming vows either. We were both too worked up in all the wrong ways. After Dakota fell asleep, I grabbed my phone and headed outside to inform my mother that she needed to send in a sub for a few days if she wanted someone on watch at all times. My own instincts were at odds because of my response to Dakota. Terrick wouldn’t be thrilled at another guard arriving, but he’d have to suck it up for a few days.

Mom listened as I rambled on for a full five minutes explaining the ins and outs of what had happened since I arrived in Heartville. I skipped anything personal between Dakota and I, but gave her enough details to make it clear that she had to send a sub if she wanted a guard on duty.

“Do you think you need another guard?” Mom asked when I finished speaking.

“Literally? Probably not,” I shook my head, “but having one was your idea.”

“Let me talk to Terrick and I’ll see what we need to do. If nothing’s happened yet, it’s unlikely anything will, I believe.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“He was out there all alone. Yeah, yeah. He’s with Scott’s pack, but he was alone. It’s not like we’ve run the coven this along without making enemies, Card. Really, we had them. Hell, maybe we still have them. Mostly non-magical non-shifters, but you never know where they hide out and survive. They always come back, like a plague of bad pennies.”

“We’re not alone,” I said. “Today, a dragon-wolf guarded a flour shed with a dead racoon inside. He didn’t even say we were fucking crazy and sometimes I think we are.”

“Perhaps,” she said, laughter tracing her words. “Surviving in a hostile world can have that effect on people. I’ll speak with your brother soon. If he wants another guard, I’ll send one. If you really think you need a sub, I’ll send one. Either way, take some time to spend with Dakota. You’re never going to have these early days back again. They are precious.”

I swallowed hard, unsure of what to say. Not that many months ago her true-mate had finally moved on through the door of life and death after dying eleven years prior. I felt as lost as Dakota must have in the shed. What do you say to someone who lost someone that their world revolved around? There was nothing I could say.

“Thank you, Mom,” I finally said. “You all are going to love him. Scott too, but mostly Dakota because he’s awesome.”

She laughed and we said our goodbyes before hanging up.

Chapter Nineteen

Dakota

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