Page 27 of My Mate

He didn’t even know why he came here, and yet she made it so clear. He wanted to take care of her, to look after her, to make sure Casey had everything her heart desired.

“You love her,” she said.

“You know I do.” She’d already said that before. “I-I can’t bear the thought of anything bad happening to her.”

“What if the cost comes to you?” Lucinda said.

“Then I will pay it. Please tell me.”

Lucinda sighed. “Knowing the future doesn’t make it easier.”

“Just tell me.”

“No,” Lucinda said. “But I will show you.”

Dex frowned as Lucinda reached out and pressed her fingers against his head. At first, he didn’t know what was happening, but then it felt like he was being pulled under, forced to sleep when he didn’t want to.

“Don’t fight it.”

His wolf didn’t like this, but Dex had to trust Lucinda. She had warned his father of the price that would be paid.

She didn’t allow any wolf to ask her for anything. She tried to protect them all, and he’d been the one to come to her.The vision was so clear, like he was living it.

He looked down at his hands, and that was when he saw them covered with blood.

“No, stop. Let him go,” Casey said, yelling.

The fear and pain in her voice tore at his heart.

He tried to scream, to tell her it was going to be okay, but nothing came out of his mouth. Dex didn’t know why nothing came out of his mouth. Then, he didn’t get chance to see what else happened, as his throat was ripped out. His last image was of Casey, sobbing, as his life ended.

He came out of the memory and looked toward Lucinda.

“What the fuck was that?” he asked.

“That is what happens if Casey doesn’t transition in time. Your life will be in the balance, Dex. She will have nothing but guilt, but the pack will also expel her, and your father will spend a lifetime hunting her.”

****

“Are you okay?” Casey asked.

Dex didn’t even respond. He looked straight ahead at the television as if he’d not even heard her. They were at her house as her parents had left and were enjoying a very rare date night.

“Hello,” she said, waving her hand in front of his face.

He jerked and turned toward her.

She offered him a smile but it was difficult to do.

“What’s the matter?” Dex asked.

“I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?” She pressed her lips together. Ever since he’d picked her up from the diner in town, he’d been quiet. Something was off, and she didn’t need to have wolf senses to know that.

“I need a drink,” he said, pulling away from her.

Casey was tempted to let him walk away and to not pressure him into talking to her, but that felt wrong. Getting toher feet, she followed him into the kitchen.

In the past couple of months, her parents had gotten used to him hanging around. They both loved him, and Casey understood why. Dex was amazing. She knew there were a lot of pack females who were jealous of her and Dex’s relationship. They hadn’t come out and admitted anything, but the glares said it all.

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