Page 56 of Match My Fall
“I’m—I’m—”Afterblinking,Itried again. “Whatyou can do is incredible.”
Hecocked his head as we walked out of the woods. “Surely,I’mnot the first shifter you’ve seen.”
“No,”Iagreed. “Butyou’re the first oneI’vebeen intimate with.”Aftertaking a deep breath,Iadded, “AndnowI’llbe raising one.”
Heattempted to take my hand. “Yourhands are trembling.”Afterreleasing it, he said, “Youdon’t need to fear me.”Hismouth turned into a grim line. “Ever.”
“I’mnot afraid of you,Valen.”Myshaky hand rose to my temple. “Ijust need…time.”
Wewalked in silence out to the car asItried to process whatIsaw with what it meant for our future.Mythoughts fired like crazy, speculating about all the unknowns with us having a child together.
Valendrove to my house and didn’t push me to speak.Oncewe parked out front, he walked with me to the door.Ididn’t invite him in.
Iturned to him and said, “WhatIthink we both need is time.”
Hesquinted at me. “Forwhat?”
“Tofigure out what we want.Notjust with this baby coming into our lives, but with each other.”Imotioned in between us. “It’sprobably best that you go home so we have some space to give us clarity.”
Valenstared at me, his face a mix of hurt and disbelief. “Youwant me to go back to the mountains?”Althoughhis voice lowered, the pain was still evident.
Iexhaled and wrapped my arms around myself.WhatIhad to think of most was what was best for our child. “Thismight be a novelty for you,Valen.You’veenjoyed your life up north.Livingwith your pack.Runningfree in the mountains.You’llget bored with us here and the responsibilities of being a parent.You’llwant to leave us, eventually.”
Heappeared stunned. “That’scompletely untrue,Cassandra.Ican understand why you might think that way because of what you went through, but it’s not going to happen with me.”
“Youcan’t promise that.”
“Idon’t want to be with anyone else, andIdon’t want to go anywhere else.Iwant to be with you and raise our child.”Heblew out a rough breath. “You’rethe only one for me—my mate.”
Myeyes bulged wide open. “Yourwhat?”ThenIblinked so quickly, it was like my eyelids were twitching.
“Mymate,” he repeated like it was a sacred vow. “TheoneI’mdestined to be with.Notfor a few weeks or until the novelty wears off, as you described it.TheoneI’mfated to be with for the rest of my life.”
“Whoa.”Myhand trembled asIraised it to my brow and rubbed while my mind wrestled with what he’d revealed.Iknew about mates.Bumblingbroomsticks, evenLucashad been a stripper until he met his mate and was now totally smitten and committed toZoe.Butme?WithValen?Webarely knew each other.
Isearched his eyes as ifI’dfind deceit but only found sincerity.
“Cassandra,Iknow it’s a lot to take in,” he said in a gentle tone. “Butit’s the truth.”
Iswallowed hard as the weight of his words settled over me. “Howlong have you known this?”
Valenadjusted his weight from one leg to another on my front stoop and rubbed the back of his neck. “Mywolf knew right away.Ittook me a little longer.Butonce we spent the night together in my cabin,Iknew.”
Igaped at him. “Youknew since then?”Somuch had happened since then, the biggest of which was finding outIwas pregnant. “Whydidn’t you tell me sooner?”
Headjusted his weight from one foot to the other. “Becauseit’s a lot to process.Trustme,Inever thought it would happen to me.I’min my mid-forties and had given up on the idea thatI’dever find my mate.”Hiseyes softened. “ButthenImet you.”
Thiswas—intensity on overload.Mymind raced with thoughtsIcouldn’t pinpoint.Ididn’t know if it was from what he revealed or my pregnancy hormones going haywire or something else.Tearswelled up in my eyes asIwrestled with emotions that flitted from one to another. “Idon’t know what to say.”
“Youdon’t have to say anything.Justgive it time to settle in.”
Inodded and raised my chin. “Yes, that’s exactly whatIneed,Valen.Time.”
“Okay.”
“Andspace.Thisdoesn’t change the fact thatIthink we need some time apart.Infact, it convinces me that it’s even more necessary.Ineed to adjust to my life changing so quickly before it veers out of control.AndIthink you should have some time away from me.”Imotioned between us. “Iknow the mate bond is strong, but maybe if you have space, you’ll be able to think more clearly about what you want.”
Hiseyes darkened a shade, the pain evident. “I’lldo as you wish.”Hismouth clenched.Heturned and walked up the walkway but then stopped and looked back. “ButIalready know whatIwant.”Hisgaze locked onto mine. “You.”
