Page 129 of Just One Bite
“I really thought I could make everyone proud. But none of it matters anymore.”
I finally understand why he did it, why my father gave up everything after she died. Because without Parker, I don’t care about a spot in the IBCE. I’m doing exactly what my father did except it’s worse because he had a better excuse for giving up than I do.
It’s better for everyone if I just disappear back to my old life.
“Is this about Parker Owens?”
I sniffle; his name alone is enough to wet my eyes. The council wanted me to play this game, and maybe it’s the bond … Or maybe it’s the fact I’m hurting Parker. I just don’t have it in me to play. I wanted to dance. That’s all I wanted to do, and now I can’t enjoy what I love here at Doxlothia without him.
“You’re in all the papers. I wanted to come see you and meet him, but I knew you probably didn’t want to talk to me about it … I mean, wow. You have a linked mate. I can hardly believe it. One of your mother’s distant ancestors was a linked mate. That’s where you get the eyes from. Lucky. They always said our family was lucky.”
“You never told me that.”
“There’s never been a human pairing for a linked mate before. I never imagined one of you girls would have one. Maybe with your eye color I should have known.”
“It’s over,” I say. “He … he won’t want to talk to me anymore.”
“Oh, honey. I’m sorry.”
“Doesn’t matter.” I feel more tears coming, so I squeeze the bridge of mynose.
“Your mother … gosh she loved you so much. She knew you girls were going to shake things up in Vviveren … that’s why she wanted you to attend Doxlothia.”
I sit up in bed, wiping my cheek. “She … wanted us to attend?”
He sighs and I hear a cup being set on our dining table with the faint sound of the records he loves to play in the background.
“You attending the school was your mother’s dying wish. I read it in her will, and … I fought it for a long time, knowing you girls would have to navigate out in the world, especially after how we sheltered you.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“She wanted you to choose what you wanted, and I wanted that for you too. I enrolled you, not knowing if you’d reject the offer or not. I had to trust Doxlothia was the safest university out there for you anyway. I didn’t want to sway you. I wanted you girls to choose your own paths. And she knew the only way I’d ever let you girls out of my sight was that school. I’m sorry I kept you close to my heart for so long.”
His voice breaks on the other end, and another tear rolls down my cheek, but this one doesn’t sting as much. My dad’s fear was always mine. I understand him more than I ever have. He pushed me away because he was afraid and simultaneously refused to let us go.
“It’s okay, Dad. I understand.”
“It will be good to see you. Get some sleep. And honey?”
“Yeah?”
“Maybe it’s not over.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Parker
“Don’t give up on me.” She begs while sobbing into my shirt.
I hold her close, tucking her hair behind her ear. She won’t remember us being together here tonight, but I will.
“Never.”
The Hunt takes place on the private island that borders the northwest of campus.
We gather by the dock near the guest housing. It’s all—supposed to be—voluntary. Those who want to be Were mates for status, love, or any reason, really, sign up each year.The huntedare chosen for a reason. They come from money or status, but they do let in a select few from every walk of life. Olivia’s eyes were probably her one-way ticket in, adding in that she’s a linked mate and has sweet blood would make her desirable to any of the Weres looking for a mate they can use as a bargaining chip.
Not all Weres care about status and pack alliances, but a lot of them do. At least the ones I know.
