Page 16 of Finding my Shifter Soulmate

So that makes Gede forty. I didn't realize he was twelve years older than me. He wears his age well. "How did they pass? I mean, can I ask?" Maybe it's an insensitive question, but my curiosity gets the better of me, especially considering my near-death experience. I'm desperate to know how he's kept the rest of his family safe all this time.

He grimaces. "Rama's collective, their army, went after my father. They attacked him right in his living room in the middle of the day. My mother tried to intervene, but they just... disposed of her, too. After that, Rama sent someone to the States to takecare of me. That’s when they killed the family I’d built there. The first thing I did when I got back was find Rama and his army and begin to take my revenge. I've been fighting them ever since."

Horror and sympathy pulse through me together. His story is so tragic, and his courage and commitment to the jungle is enviable. He's so sure of who he is and of his place in life. "Gede, I'm so sorry. That's terrible."

"No need for that, but thank you." He stops walking. "Right up there."

My gaze follows his pointed finger, and just over the hills I see a sleek and modern house. The entire building appears to be made almost entirely of glass. Nestled beneath two enormous trees, the house seems to blend in almost perfectly with the natural environment, without intruding or forcing itself upon the forest. I imagine the view of the ocean he must have from inside. It's so lovely and pristine that my breath catches in my throat.

"Wow," is all I can say, and he chuckles.

"It's impressive, isn't it? Fitting, for the Barong of the forest, I'd say." He leads me up the hill, still holding my hand like he did before. "I'll give you a tour, if you'd like."

"Did you have this built or was it your parents' home?" I ask.

His smile is affectionate and nostalgic. "It belonged to my parents. It's seen a few updates. The glass for example. It lets me better keep watch over the jungle."

"Don't you worry about someone seeing you when you are inside?"

"No. It's remote enough that nobody who doesn't know it’s here will find it. Besides, I can tint the windows if I need to."

A staircase leads from the ground up to the door at the front of the building. Gede clears his throat, gesturing with a hand. "Please. After you."

Despite the fresh view and the fresh air, a layer of nerves tenses my shoulders. I'm entering the proverbial lion's den, without having any idea of what to expect. At the door, I let out a slow exhale, and step inside.

The house looks like a picture from a catalog, an architect's dream of a modern living space. I can see the sparkling blue ocean, whitecaps breaking under the faint breeze that stirs the water, and it's even more beautiful than I imagined. Modern leather and teak wood furniture, big bookshelves stuffed with books about every imaginable subject. And the walls are hung with gorgeous artwork made in the local style, including masks. Sculptures were scattered about.

An ebony coffee table sits in the center of the room, and books and writing materials cover the surface. The kitchen is attached to the living room by an island, and the floor is tile in a rusty red stone. There is spiral staircase across from the door that must lead to the bedrooms.

When I turn back around, I see Gede watching me, his eyes following my every movement.

"Gede, your house is gorgeous," I remark.

He walks past me towards the kitchen and quickly opens the fridge, bringing out two bottles of water. He twists the cap off one before handing it to me and then opens the other for himself. "Thank you. I love this place. It holds so manymemories. Good ones, for the most part. Most nights, I feel like my family is still here."

I take a sip of the cold water before asking, "Do you live here alone?"

"Yes," he answers, looking out the windows that overlook the water. "Just me. I’ve been alone here for quite some time. There are worse fates."

Taking in the beauty of this hidden fortress, I have to agree with him. "I'm jealous, Gede. I've never had a place that I call home. My apartment back in the states is adequate, I guess, but not spectacular. It doesn't compare to this."

"It's an amazing place. And the island is always paradise. You can stay here as long as you like, Sabrina. I know you are supposed to leave in a few days, but should you decide to stay, or if you go and find yourself wanting to return to Bali, my home is yours."

There's a longing in his voice. It makes me sad and somehow draws me to him even more. "Thank you, Gede. I'll remember that."

Chapter Eleven – Gede

"I think this is my favorite part of Bali." Sabrina pokes her fork into the rice on her plate, scooping up some of the spicy tum ayam that's been served with it. She unwraps the banana leaf from around the steamed chicken, which has been seasoned with a spice paste of lemongrass, garlic, ginger, and coriander. She blows on it a few times before taking a bite, her brows shooting up. "Oh my God, it's so good! I can't believe you cooked this, Gede."

My proud grin takes over my face. "My mother taught me how to cook. I enjoy being in the kitchen, truth be told. There's something therapeutic about it, meditative."

"Well, this food almost makes getting attacked by a tiger worth it. Bravo, Chef. I'll definitely give it five stars." Sabrina adds more rice to her fork and pops another chunk of chicken into her mouth.

As I watch her enjoy her meal, I feel a swelling of pride along with some more primal emotion in the pit of my stomach. If I can make my mate smile like this, satisfied by my handiwork and enjoying the flavors of the island, then I am good.

"I'm glad you're enjoying the meal," I say. My dinner has long gone cold on my plate. My hunger has been satisfied not by food but with the lovely sight of Sabrina enjoying her fill.

She swallows and licks a bit of the greasy marinade from her lips, and I try to pull my eyes away. It's a difficult task. The flick of her tongue makes my mind swim.

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