Page 50 of Fallout

I play with the skirt of my dress, keeping my gaze down. “There is something I need to tell you. Something about my powers that I figured out.”

Parker puts his fingers under my chin and gently nudges me. Once I meet his eyes he says, “Whatever it is, we will figure it out. We will work through this together, all right?”

I nod, letting out a long breath. “While Will was trying to teach me how to block other’s thoughts, I accidentally read his mind.” I rush through my words, trying to get it all out before he can respond. “The first time, I thought it was a fluke. But it’s happened a few more times since then. I’ve even heard your thoughts once without even trying. I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry. I should’ve told you then, I just…” my voice trails off.

“Why were you scared to tell me that?” Parker shakes his head.

I shrug. “I guess I thought you’d be mad. Will was pretty upset that I read his thoughts. But I never meant to. I can’t control my powers.”

“I know that and so does Will.” Parker clenches his jaw. “I will be having a talk with him about it when we get home.”

I shake my head. “No. Will has every right to be upset. I am the one in the wrong, even if it wasn’t my fault.” My lips turn downward. “And now that we know what I am, we’re still no closer to me figuring out what my powers are. Especially since that other phoenix has proven that he’s not going to cooperate.”

“I will figure this out for us.” Parker’s blue eyes intently look into my eyes. “I vow it, Henley. Because I refuse to let you suffer anymore.”

I tip forward into his chest, wrapping my arms around his middle. He holds me against him and a feeling of rightness settles in my gut.

I’m safe with Parker. No matter what, he will always be by my side.

I’m not alone. Not anymore.

“From now on, I will be the one helping you learn how to control your abilities—not Will.” Parker’s voice is deep and growly. “I never should’ve asked him to do it in the first place, you’re my mate.”

“You were busy,” I say, trying to defend his decision.

He pulls back so he can look me in the eyes. “I should’ve never been too busy for you. That was my mistake. You should always come first before everything.”

“But the pack—”

He cuts me off, putting his hands on my shoulders. “You come before the pack. I would walk away and let one of my brothers take over before I’d let anything come between us. You are my everything. From now on, I promise to show you that.”

I lick my lips. “Thank you.”

“You never have to thank me for doing what I’m supposed to do.” His gaze travels down to my lips.

My heart thumps a little faster. Parker’s eyes flash up to mine, the color a mix of blue and gold, and then he leans forward and presses a soft kiss to my lips.

This is the guy I get to spend the rest of my life with. No matter what happens, he’s not going to be scared of me.

Parker’s hand cups the back of my head while his warm lips move against mine. A light growl vibrates against my lips as his other hand rests on the small of my back.

I get why wolves wait to date until they meet their soulmates. Because no matter what they feel before they meet their mate, it’s nothing compared to this. No feeling in the world could compare. And it makes me wonder how much better it will be after we’re married and our mate bond is complete. We’ll be able to know each other’s thoughts and read each other’s emotions. It can only get better from here.

Parker pulls back, breathing heavily. He rests his forehead against mine, his eyes flashing back and forth between blue and gold. My breath gets caught in my throat as I watch the memorizing colors flash.

He rests his hand above my heart, a smirk playing on his lips. “Your heart is racing so fast, Henley.”

“I’m pretty sure yours is too, if your eyes are any indicator.” My voice comes out quieter than I intended, but I know Parker had no trouble hearing with his shifter powers.

His grin grows wider, revealing his dimples. “It’s probably good that you don’t have shifter hearing. If you did, you’d know that it’s been racing since the moment I laid eyes on you.”

I suck in a sharp breath.

I’m glad Parker is my soulmate—without the bond, there is no way I could’ve got a boyfriend as attractive as him.

Boyfriend seems like such a small title considering what Parker is. My soulmate. My future husband. But… since we’re still in high school anything more than that would really freak out my dad, boyfriend it is.

For now.

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