Page 78 of Siren in the Rain

I tilt my head. “May I ask what happened to him?”

Aunt Anemone looks down at the table.

Grandma Coral tears up and I instantly regret my question.

“I’m sorry. That was insensitive of me,” I hurry to say.

She shakes her head, wiping the wetness from her cheeks. “Not at all. It’s been ten years, but it still feels painfully fresh sometimes.” She sighs. “It was a tragic accident. Galen had taken a trip to the mainland. We were still searching for Shae and his mother, you see. The human authorities were ignoring our requests and stonewalling us at every turn.” Her hand clenches around her empty cup. “Galen had gone to meet someone who claimed to have information. He was desperate to find our daughter and grandson and refused to give up.” She takes a deep breath and lets it out shakily. “We don’t know all the details, but there was a serious car accident. A long-haul truck driver fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into multiple vehicles. Galen and several humans didn’t survive.”

Anemone raises her head, tears streaming down her face. “We felt it when… when his spirit returned to the island. It was hours before we were contacted by human authorities, but we already knew.”

Coral leans over and embraces her daughter, kissing her cheek and whispering something in her ear before pulling back.

I swallow down the lump in my throat and sniffle. “I’m so sorry for your loss. I wish I could have met him.”

“Shae reminds me of him in some ways. Stubborn and strong, and not always able to easily express his true feelings.” Coral shakes her head and her lips tremble slightly. “Galen was one of a kind and I was fortunate to have five long decades with him. But I would have given up all that I have to be able to spend one more day with him.”

I can’t help it. The emotions rolling off her make my heart ache. Love, pain, sorrow, and longing. Her mate was the love of her life and every day without him hurts.

I start bawling before I can put some mental guards in place against all that I’m receiving right now.

Grandma Coral gets up and comes to my side, wrapping me in a warm hug. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize how truly sensitive you are.” Her countenance is soft with understanding as she hands me a tissue. “Is empathic affinity one of your magical gifts?”

“Yeah. I can not only understand but also feel the emotions of others.” I sniffle. “I’m sorry. This isn’t about me, it’s about you and your loss.”

I activate my SCSS and send her a gentle blast of soothing vibes to make her feel a little better.

Her features relax and she inhales, recognition flaring in her eyes. “You also possess calming pheromones?”

I nod shyly. “I hope you don’t mind. It’s one way I can help to some small degree.”

“Thank you. That is a rare and beautiful gift you possess. I’m sure it makes you a valuable member of your team.”

“It does.” My ears droop. “Unfortunately, my old pack didn’t see it that way. My family prides itself more on being stoic and professional. They’re all very driven and focused on their work. They couldn’t understand why I struggled to control my emotions from an early age. When my magical affinity became clearer as I got older, they dismissed it as useless.” I give an awkward laugh. “Needless to say, I didn’t fit in with them.”

She squeezes me tighter. “Well, we already consider you part of the Silverstorm sept. Anemone and I are thrilled to have you become part of our family along with Shae.”

I wince. “He hasn’t exactly accepted our bond yet. You might be a bit premature on welcoming me into the fold.”

“Not at all. I suspect it’s only a matter of time.” She steps back and rests a hand on my back. “Shae isn’t his father. He’s too smart to make the same kind of foolish decision Bryce did. And while witnessing how his mother suffered over the years had a profound impact on him, he also understands that you are nothing like his father either.”

Hope surges inside me. “You really think so?”

“The two of you are superbly matched as a pair and are meant to be. Don’t give up, young Wolfkin. Believe in my grandson—and wait for him. I have a feeling it won’t be too long.”

Some of the anxiety that’s been churning inside me ever since Shae went to the temple settles at her words. “I plan to. He’s it for me. There’s no one else, and there never will be.”

She nods. “The bond is incredibly powerful in every way. It seeks to bring you together forever. Shae will come to recognize it too, in time.”

I glance out the window. “Do you think he’s doing all right?”

By now, the ritual ought to have started.

Not knowing exactly what happens during the process makes me a little edgy, but I also believe in Grandma Coral. She wouldn’t do anything to harm her grandson, so I’m going to trust her judgment.

Besides, if this ritual can help Shae recover from all that he’s been through, then I’m one hundred percent behind it.

The rest of the day I spend wandering around the island and meeting different members of the sept. I’m intrigued to discover there are a number of interconnected families on the island and quite a few interspecies couples. Everyone’s incredibly friendly and welcoming, and I ponder the notion of potentially moving here with Shae.

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