Page 72 of Mating at Midnight: Book 1

“Thank you,” I returned, pecking his lips, then taking off into the forest.

Not long after zig zagging through the forest and doubling back a couple of times to throw off my scent to make sure Braxton wasn’t following me, I came upon my grandmother’s secret garden. I knew he wouldn’t, but I had to make sure. Pushing through the thicket of vines and foliage, I entered into a place that has always brought me comfort even at an early age.

There are rows of ripened herbs, vegetables, and fruits ready to be picked. Fruit trees encircled them like sentries. I don’t know how grandmother was able to accomplish this even during the winter months and I never asked. All I know is that we never went hungry, and she always had pots of her vegetable beef stewready to serve the Pack during the coldest winter times. Her stew was so delicious, I could have eaten it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Thinking back, I actually did at one point.

Making a mental note, although the cabin might be gone because of the fire, maybe she kept a personal cook book in the shed. I needed to go through the other bins.

I grinned, running over to the lemon trees. I reached up to pick one, then took hold of another before a voice spoke to me.

“Nyah, now you know you could have let that boy come with you,” my grandmother’s angelic voice resonated in my head.

The lemon fell from my hand. “Grandmother?”

“Yes, it’s me, little one.”

My feet felt like bricks. I leaned over, keeping myself in one place, covering my mouth as the waterworks began. If I would have known that it would take a near death experience to speak to your deceased loved ones, I might have done a few drastic things before.

Chapter 40

Nyah

“And, no you wouldn’t have,” grandmother interjected. “Things are happening to you for a reason. This is the path that the Gods have laid out for you. And stop that crying. I might not be with you in physical form, but I would never leave my babies.”

Rising, I use the back of my hand to dry my tears. Her voice seemed to come from every direction, so I didn’t know which way to look, so I just stared in front of me.

“So, like momma, you’re able to speak to me because of Skia and I?” I questioned.

“Yes,” she replied.

Curious, I asked, “Really?”

“Yes, really. Willa and I have been keeping a close eye on you girls...especially you, Nyah.”

“But, why?”

Grandmother snorted, then said, “Because we knew your destined wolf would emerge first. Willa did a damn good job with selecting Skia for you. If the choice were up to me, I would have picked her too.”

“But why me first instead of Kenia?”

She sighed. “Only the Gods know that, and we don’t question their order. Our job now is to prepare you for the war that is coming. Your momma and I will take a back seat while Skia gets you ready, but don’t freak out if one of us pops in your head.”

Smiling, I said, “I won’t.”

“Good, now get what you need to take back to that sexy mate of yours.”

“Grandmother,” I squealed.

“What? I might be dead, but I’m not blind. Shit, if I was still above ground, I might have to challenge you for him.”

“Seriously, grandmother?”

“Hell, yeah.” She laughed. “I’m just teasing, but I can see why the Gods chose him for you. That man will slit his own wrists before letting you go. Your grandfather, Samuael was like that with me. If he felt a male Pack member smiled at me flirtatiously, fur and teeth would be flying. That mate you got has exhibited that he won’t put up any disrespect towards you. Not from his mother or former lover who learned the hard way.”

My jaw dropped.

Grandmother laughed. “I told you that we have been watching everything.”

I laughed with her, but it faded after her words ran through my mind again. Have they been watching...watching?

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