Page 64 of Soul Bound

Before the accident, my parents would allow my nannies to take me to the beach back in Rhode Island. I would spend hours out in the water, refusing to come back to shore when they’d say it was time to leave. And after the accident and when I started to see ghosts, I would go swimming at night in the pool and submerge myself under the water, the silence of being underwater was a relief if I spent the day with upset ghosts. It was the same kind of peace I later found with drugs.

Movement in the tree line to my left catches my eye, pulling my gaze away from the water. At first, I think she’s Pru, but her blonde hair is darker than Pru’s almost white locks. The woman moves peacefully through the trees toward me. She isn’t in a rush, she just walks calmly, like she’s on a nice stroll through the woods. I wonder if she’s a pack member, but then I notice it, the slightest flickering of her transparent body.

She’s a ghost.

She doesn’t look like the other ghosts I’ve seen before. No part of her looks ghastly, and she almost seems to be…at peace.She pauses by a large fir tree, her pretty face turning in my direction. She inclines her head in greeting, a warm smile on her face as she looks at me.

I swear she looks so familiar and I can’t place where I’ve seen her before. I rack my brain for the answer all while looking back at her. The energy coming off of her isn’t frantic and afraid like most ghosts, instead, the feeling of contentment washes over me. She doesn’t approach me, staying in the trees, staring off over the lake. Most spirits would be coming to me for help, either with unfinished business or with finding peace. But not her.

And I truly think it’s because she’s already found it.

She stands against the tree like she’s waiting for something. For what or for who, I don’t know.

A twig snaps behind me suddenly. “What are you looking at?” Pru’s voice follows the noise.

Startled, I look away from the apparition. “Nothing,” I lie, turning my head to greet her. “Just enjoying the fresh air. I’m starting to get jealous you get to look at this view every day.” I peek quickly back to where the ghost was, but she’s no longer there.

“I know.” Pruitt sits down next to me on the tree. “I was raised in San Francisco, and I was so afraid to move away from the city, but now I wouldn’t trade this for anything in the world. I’ve never felt more at peace and happy than I am when I’m here. I think it’s because I was raised in this house until I was seven. My wolf recognizes this place as my home.”

“This was your childhood home?”

“I lived here with my parents until I was seven. When they were killed, I moved away with Addison. The house sat empty for fourteen years and when Ryker and I were reunited, he bought the house for us. He said my parents left so many happy memories in this house he wanted us to move in and create our own.” Pruitt’s green eyes shine with love when she talks about her mate.

“That’s so sweet,” I tell her. Under Ryker’s rough exterior, he has a soft spot reserved for his mate and family. “You’re incredibly lucky to have a home full of happy memories. And you’re also very lucky to have the family you do.”

“I know I am; it was only ever Addison and me, and now I have the whole Weylyn clan and a pack of people to call my family. It’s a little terrifying I’m now supposed to lead them and be their alpha, but I know with Ryker by my side, we can do anything.”

“Can I just say how jealous I am of shifters and their ability to mate with people? To know you have someone in your corner—forever—that will do nothing but love and support you… God, I can’t even imagine what that must be like.”

Something flashes across Pruitt’s face, but she is quick to hide it, smoothing her facial features. “I’ll admit, being mated is incredible. I’m so happy mating bonds are formed based on love now instead of just fate. And shifters can mate with people outside of their own species. While I know Addison and Noah don’t get to be mated for long, I’m thankful they got to experience it, even if it was just for a short amount of time.”

My chest fills with guilt again, knowing I can’t help Addison.

“So, if two people fall in love with each other, a mating bond will form?” I ask, still fuzzy on the whole idea.

“As long as one of them is a shifter, yes.” Pruitt nods. “If they both fall, truly, deeply in love with each other, a mating bond will be created, and they’ll be able to see a mating aura around each other.”

“What the hell is a mating aura?” I’ve never heard any of them use that term before.

“It’s this gold, shimmery aura that shows up around a person when they are your mate. Only you can see it. It’s mainly used so shifters can identify their mates. When I saw it around Ryker, I thought I was going crazy.”

I snort. “I’m all too familiar with that feeling.”

She laughs. “I guess you are.” She starts to say something, but stops herself, biting her lip.

“What?”

“I just want to say sorry about the other night with Noah freaking out on you. That wasn’t fair. Ranger laid into me about blabbing about your gifts to them. When I told them, it wasn’t my intention to make Noah believe you could bring back Addison. I was just in awe you were able to bring back the raven and wanted to share it. I should have known better.” She looks at me sheepishly.

“It’s fine. Trust me, I wish there was something I could do for Addison, but we don’t understand exactly what I did with Poe. It all just doesn’t add up. No witch can bring back someone with a single touch, but I did. I’m still looking for answers.”

“I’m new to this world too—I thought I was human up until five months ago. The best advice I can give you is just to take it all one day at a time. I’m still learning about all the crazy things that are out there. It was insane to learn the creatures from my favorite horror movies are real. The fact there are vampires and demons out there is still wild to me, and I can turn into a wolf.” A big smile breaks across her face.

I shrug a shoulder. “I don’t know, I think this world is kind of growing on me. I feel like all the questions in my life are being answered, wellmostof them anyway.”

“I think you’re starting to find where you belong too—”

“Why are you guys hiding down here?” Remington’s voice interrupts Pru. “I’ve been sitting up at the house by myself twiddling my thumbs like some loser.” She huffs.

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