Page 16 of Wrong Turn, Right Bear
“Yeah but let’s not get into that now. Backtrack.”
I admired how he wasn’t prepared to skate overdetails but I wished he had because now I had to give him an answer.
“Why did you show me your other side?”
“I didn’t. You happened to see me.”
“First time, yes but not the second. You said it was special.”
Ahhh. I thought I’d gotten out of his trap but he cornered me.
He tapped his foot but it made little sound on the soft carpet. If I explained about mates, he’d be out the door before I reached the period at the end of the sentence.
“Would you like to sit?”
Theo kept his feet on the floor but the upper part of his body reared back. “Out with it.” He grabbed a pillow and hugged it.
“It is special but to a human it’s… ummm different perhaps scary.”
He jerked his chin at me and I continued. “In the shifter world, there’s something called fated mates. That’s when an alpha and an omega are fated to be together.”
His brow creased. “What’s that got to do with me?” He gasped and blood drained from his cheeks. “Me. The hu… human.” That was probably the first time he’d referred to himself as human. “I’m the omega. The fated mate.” He stepped back until he hit the bed.
I couldn’t determine what was in Theo’s eyes other than confusion. He hadn’t fallen into my arms and declared his undying love which was to be expected. But also he hadn’t taken off, yelling, “Don’t call me.”
“Is this similar to an arranged marriage? I don’t get a choice.”
He toppled onto the bed, both hands pressed against his eyes.
“Absolutely not. You do whatever is right for you. If you leave now, you’ll never see me again.”
He opened one eye. “Never? No stalking or emails?”
“No.” My heart was so heavy, I almost toppled over. My mate had rejected me and I’d grieve his absence the rest of my life.
“So I can go on with my life and marry whomever I choose?”
I nodded. I had no words for him.
He sat up. “And you?”
Theo, my Theo, always wanted all the details but I couldn’t admit how broken I’d be if he left.
“I will continue on with my life too.”
He gazed at me as if he could see into my heart. “And you’ll find another mate.”
No, there is no one else. My bear was clamoring at my insides, telling me to be honest.
It wasn’t a question but he didn’t move as his gaze was fixed on me. He was awaiting my answer.
“Maybe.”
“Ash, if I’m your fated mate, I deserve the truth, don’t you think?”
Gods this human pushed me to be the best version of myself.
“I will never meet another mate.” Sending those words into the universe, I imagined them circling the sun as the earth did. But instead of returning once a year, the reality would be with me every minute. I’d loved and lost my one and only.
