Page 14 of Secret Heir's Return

“Yeah, but that’s all ancient history now. I’ve heard the story so much that it’s draining, even retelling it.” Brady chuckled. “So, you obviously know where Liberty’s room is. But do you know where the kitchen is? It’s the most important room in the entire house, if you ask me. I can’t stand by and allow you to be ignorant of its greatness.”

I laughed as he led the way, memories of the packhouse coming back more and more as he pointed out the different rooms. I realized that I was becoming increasingly comfortable and at ease around him, as if we had grown up together instead of only meeting today. I could only hope that Liberty would be as accepting of me now that it had been proven that she and I were mates.

“Don’t worry,” Brady suddenly stammered. “She’s stubborn, but she’s not stupid. She’ll give into the bond. No one can resist the call of fate.”

“What?” I asked.

“You looked like you were worrying about my sister. That drunk version of her, get used to it because once she accepts the bond, she’ll pretty well be like that with you all the time. But not immediately. Just be patient and know that you can always come hang out with me if she gets to being too mean to you.”

“Thanks,” I laughed.

Brady threw his arms over my shoulder. “That’s what family is for, bro.”

Chapter Eight

Liberty

“You take the couch,” I said as I threw pillows and blankets at Xander.

I woke up near dinner time with the worst headache of my life. It grew even more when I learned that I’d be sharing my room with my mate, the man who had slipped in and out of my room for some unknown reason.

The claim that he had simply known that I was his mate wasn’t working for me. There was more to it than that, and I wasn’t about to share my bed with him without knowing the truth.

“As you wish, babydoll,” he said. I watched him gather the pillows and blankets in his arms before turning to the couch, where he promptly began making his sleeping arrangements.

The name tugged at my heart. Despite my suspicions, I couldn’t deny that he was indeed my mate. I felt pulled to him. I wanted to rip every strip of material from his body, as I had done the night before, and leave my mark on his skin.

However, I held myself back. I crawled up into my bed and watched him finish his bedding before lying on the couch. I noted the way he had to scrunch up his long legs so they wouldn’t hang over the other side of the couch, and how he had rolled to his side to fit his large body comfortably.

A part of me felt bad for making him sleep there. It wasn’t exactly a suitable spot for a man of his size. He gave me a smile when he saw me watching him. I spun away; as I faced the other directions, I could make out the sound of his chuckles behind me.

Soon, I heard the sounds of him sleeping – slow, steady breathing. I glanced behind me to make sure he wasn’t pretending. I let out a sigh as I looked at him. His face was serene, so out of place given the dark look in his gaze when he had first looked upon me in the shadows of my bedroom door. He slept without a care in the world, as though this was exactly where he belonged.

I guess it was. He was my mate, he clearly belonged wherever I went. Yet it still unnerved me to see him so at peace with his surroundings.

“Why did you leave me?” I wondered out loud.

I got out of my bed and tiptoed to the shower. Mom had told me that the steam from a hot shower or bath was where she always completed some of her best magic, so I could use the steam to help clear my mind for the magic I needed to tap into.

My nightgown had pooled around my feet before stepping under the hot spray. My lungs filled with the hot steam as I poured an oil infused with orange and cinnamon. The aroma filled the surrounding steam, unlocking the power I was aiming to tap into.

Carefully, I sat at the bottom of the tub. The spray of water soaked my head, and my eyes closed in concentration.

“Fates, give me the answers I seek,” I whispered as I focused on the power of premonition. “What is my fate with my mate?”

I felt strong, overwhelming feelings of lust wash over me. The lust quickly melted away to reveal a sense of adoration. Love and then fear. But no visions to match with the emotions had come to my mind. I scrunched my brow in concentration, willing a vision to come forth, begging the Fates to show me whateverit was I needed to know. The only faces I saw come forth were those of strangers laden their need to trust one another.

“What the hell,” I growled as I turned off the water.

Never in all my life had I been unable to weld a vision like that. In all my experiences, I had never been presented with a vision completely unrelated to what I was actively searching for. I grabbed a towel and dried myself off. My hair was dripping everywhere from sitting directly under the spray, and steam rose like smoke from my skin.

Maybe Brady will have better luck.As much as I hated to admit to it, he did have a stronger connection to our witch side. As soon as he had turned eighteen, his powers grew exponentially stronger than mine. We had a strong connection. Both were stronger than our mother and the rest of the coven, but Brady had beat me with magic in the end, although I would never admit that to him.

After drying my hair and putting my nightgown back on, I went back to bed. Xander still slept in the same position, his breathing even and deep with sleep. I watched him sleep from my bed until my eyes grew too heavy to stay open.

Yet I didn’t dream.

I woke with a start that next morning. The sound of the shower confused me for a moment before I looked at the couch andfound it empty. I didn’t wait for my turn. The scent of orange and cinnamon still clung to my skin from my attempt to force a vision last night, and I wanted to be dressed before Xander finished his shower.

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