Page 19 of His True Beloved

“You know this bond.” Her attention was directed back to me. “I hope you can experience it one day.” I raised a brow. “I wanted to talk to you about it because Elder Rowan mentioned—”

“Mom, one step at a time, all right?” The pain still lingered on Wyatt, the cheating bastard. The last thing I wanted was to hear about how a bond felt and what it did.

“I just wanted you to know the signs, just in case—”

“Mom,” I interrupted, pushing back the tears. I couldn’t tell her I didn’t believe in it. For all I know, it was just some infatuation she had with Justin.

A really loving, kind of creepy infatuation.

“Oh, Chrissy.” Mom’s shoulders melted in understanding. “I have concentrated too much on Justin and me. I haven’t gotten your story on Wyatt.” As much as it stung that Mom had forgotten, I couldn’t blame her. I mean, look at her smile.

“It’s fine, really,” I lied. Justin growled into the video chat.

“Do I need to pay a visit to this Wyatt? What happened?” I sent out a laugh, wiping the tears away with my palm. Justin had been more of a father than the sperm donor and actually wanted to listen.

“It’s done with.” I sniffed. “He is no more. Number blocked, the works. I’ll be fine, though.”I should be fine, I’m twenty-three years old, and I don’t need my parents trying to coddle me. Even if a part of me thinks it would be nice.

Mom gave a look to Justin. It was like they were having a silent conversation with each other while he squeezed her hand.

“What happened?” Mom pressed. “Last time we talked, I thought everything was fine, and that was only a few days before you showed up.” One side of my mouth frowned, trying to keep from crying. My lip wobbled at the thought of my first love, which took the last part of me I had saved.

“He found someone else,” I muttered, not daring to open that can of worms. Justin cursed, running his fingers through his hair.

“A mate would never do that.” His eyes glowed red. “A mate would never—”

“But I don’t have a mate now, do I?” I snapped.

“Chrissy,” Mom begged into the phone. I shook my head, not able to talk about it anymore. I needed time to myself, and talking to my mom and Justin, wasn’t going to help. They were everything I didn’t need right now. Lovey dovey.

“I’m going to go. Talk tomorrow?” I cut the call before they could answer, throwing myself into the pillows.

Why did it have to hurt so much?

Before Sebastian brutally interrupted me earlier, I thought I was over Wyatt. Maybe my crying and self-pity session wasn’t long enough. So I cried because, after this night, it would be the last I ever cried for that jerk that I held onto for years.

***

The two hours of crying were invigorating. My mind was clear, and my heart even felt lighter. However, my eyes didn’t appreciate the sentiment.

They were puffy, swollen, and dare I say, I looked like I got stung in the eyes by a vengeful bee. After my meds were taken, I changed into my pajamas, and I slid under the cool covers with Christopher and Bob by my side.

Christopher hated Bob. Maybe it was because he was a dog. I laughed, seeing the scowl on Christopher’s face. “You can be the only man in my life,” I told Christopher. You can put up with my shit, right?

He purred as I scratched his butt.

Closing my eyes, excited for the burden lifted from me and the blissful sleep I would have after taking a hefty dose of melatonin, I saw him.

It wasn’t of that boy Wyatt, but a man that would haunt my fantasies for the rest of the night. And that is where he would stay, in the deepest part of my dreams.

Chapter 10

Christine

Thedarknessloomedoverme as I traveled through the coven. The lights that usually invaded the streets at night were so low it was no point to have them lit. Crunching on the white gravel, I veered off the path, walking to the enormous plantation-style house that housed Rowan and Adaline. That was my beacon, not the home where I was staying, and I wasn’t sure why.

It was a pull.

Continuing to walk, my vision narrowed as I reached the house. Nothing else seemed to matter but going up those front steps and walking through the white double doors. My heart beat into my chest, pounding relentlessly as I entered.

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