Page 27 of Shattered Mates

She rolls her eyes while also settling her palms over my chest. “Of course not. I stayed close in case you needed me, but just as I assured you before, nobody blames you for what happened, and River was and still is capable of making his own decisions. The only thing left is for you to forgive yourself.”

I press my forehead against hers and breathe her in. “You’re a pain in my ass, but I wouldn’t want anyone else by my side.”

She smirks. “Nobody else could handle you.”

Probably not.

Amersyn grabs my hand. “Come on. Roman and Cait actually do want to see us, along with Dawsyn. Then, Andie mentioned something about Foster and?—”

“I get it,” I cut her off with a smile. “Everyone wants to see us. You were right, I was wrong. Everything is going to be okay.”

Her eyes practically glow with glee. “You’re such a smart man, agreeing with your mate.” Then, she sobers. “My promise still stands, Maciah. You came, you spoke with River. If you want to leave at any point, regardless of who still wants to visit with us, then we go. No questions asked.”

“Just don’t ditch me again.” I kiss her. “And I’ll be just fine.”

“I didn’t leave you before, and I never will.” She grins widely. “You’re stuck with me for our very, very long lives.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” I tell her greedily. “For our very, very long lives.”

Chapter Thirteen

Jules

This has been the greatest day of my life. So far, anyway. With River home, I predict many more greatest days in my future. There will undoubtedly be hard days, but those are what make the good ones something to be cherished.

I get out of the shower, already dressed in my normal pajamas consisting of boy shorts and a loose shirt. River is sitting up in my bed with the bedside lamp on. The moment he sees me, his face lights up and he grins. “Feel better?”

“A hot shower and my mate in my bed after a night of celebrations? I don’t think things could get much better.” Well, that’s a lie. They could, but I’m not in a hurry. I already decided earlier today that even with our lost time, there’s no reason to rush things with River.

More than I want to bond with him, I want to be sure he’s in the right headspace for doing so. Not that I have any doubts about how much he cares for me, but when we finally have sex, completing our bond, I want to be sure he’s fully present. Not still stuck in the darkness.

Even better, I get the feeling he agrees with me.

“I thought I would hate the big crowd of people,” River admits, “but after being alone for so long, it was good to be around everyone again. Thank you for not leaving me, though.”

His hand had been cemented to mine all night. A fact that I didn’t mind. I’m glad he’s leaning on me so much, and I’m even more grateful he’s being open with his feelings. Several times today, he’s mentioned how he needs me and missed me and at one point, I think he even almost told me he loves me.

We might have only spent a few days together before he left, and I haven’t gotten to know River on a more personal level yet, but there’s no denying I’m already in love with this man, body, mind, and soul.

For six years, I’ve dreamed of only him. I’ve heard the stories of his past through those closest to him. I’ve seen his sacrifices firsthand. I don’t need months in his presence to know that there is no one better than the man sitting in my bed.

River is the best there is. Even if he needs some time to remember that, I know he’ll get there and I know when he does, nothing in this life will be better than that moment, for both of us.

I settle into bed next to him, enjoying how he pulls me flush with his side as I say, “I’m glad you had a good time. That was the whole point.”

He chuckles. “Maybe half of it, but our family enjoys getting together and it doesn’t happen very often.”

“Hmmm,” I hum as he plays with the ends of my hair. “Maybe we can change that.”

“Maybe we can.”

I look up at him, and when I find his hazel eyes on me, my heart stutters and I have to remind myself to swallow. Gods, he truly is the most incredible being I’ve ever met. The way he looks at me, the way he takes my breath away but is also the reason I breathe… I know he needs time to heal, but I also need him to know that he’ll never be alone again.

Turning until I face him, I grab both of his hands and lick my lips. I expect to be nervous, but the words pour out of me without a single bit of hesitation.

“When I first saw you, I feared I would be in the same position as my sister,” I tell him. “Then, you touched me with a gentleness I’d long forgotten existed in this world. I wanted to hold onto you like a lifeline and never let the joy you brought me go, but then you were gone.”

He frowns and opens his mouth, but I shake my head. “Let me finish.”

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