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"It would be a dream come true to live here—I mean, Avalon Vale. Of course you live here-here.” She says, her hands going all fluttery like butterfly wings. “I’ve been saving up for a few years already. So when I got the call, I broke my lease just to come here. If the job was canceled, I'd be essentially homeless. Not like I want you to feel sorry for me or anything like that. Besides, it all worked out, so no reason to dwell on it."
None indeed, since it will be a dream come true if you stayed.
That’s when it hits me.
A dream come true.
I look at Jack, then to Val, and then back again.
Aunt Jadzia has meddled in her sons’ love lives. She very proudly speaks about drawing their mate toward them by learning of Zora’s desires and very cleverly, fulfilling them all.
And, in doing so, her sons avoided succumbing to the killing frenzy that happens to so many unmated otsos after a lifetime of battle.
Jack and Val continue hammering out details of the contract, including letting her know that she has full access to the house and will have a visa as soon as tomorrow to enable her free access to and from Avalon Vale.
Her eyes fill with tears, which alarms me, but Jack seems to understand that Val’s reaction is one of joy.
“I am so grateful,” she says, looking at both of us. “Well, I guess I should be going. I have a drive ahead, and the closest store is in the opposite direction of the motel.”
I remember what she mentioned about food and coffee. About missing breakfast. “Why don’t you just stay here for the night? And then you’ll be able to get a fresh start in the morning?”
Her eyes grew large and round for me as she did for Jack. “Really? You mean it?”
“It only makes sense since you’ll be here anyway. If you want to, of course.”
Val’s eyes tear up, but her ear-to-ear grin tells me she’s happy, which is a relief. “If I could hug you I would, but I won’t because we’re working together now. So I’ll offer a handshake on it.” She shakes hands with both of us, before skipping out to her car. “I’ll be back in a few hours!”
I make sure she gets in safe, and drives away through the mist.
I can feel as soon as she goes beyond the rift borders. It’s as if all the air is being sucked out of my lungs. I’m bent over, hands on my knees trying to stay upright.
Jack, the asshole he is, sidles up next to me and claps a hand on my sagging shoulders. “So. How does it feel to be separated from your mate?”
I glare at him, the effect lessened as I can barely breathe. “Fucking sucks.”
“The first time is always the worst. Just wait until you’re mating bonds settle and strengthen. Brace yourself. When I felt Zora’s anger, and worse, her fear, for the first time, I was ready to mount a war.”
I want to tell him off, but I know for damn sure he’s right.
The battles I’ve fought would be child’s play compared to the hell I would unleash on anything that would threaten Val.
Just thinking about destroying imagined foes makes me feel better.
Lighter.
Finally, I can breathe normally. “Tell me one thing. You didn't send her here for me, did you?”
“What the hell do I look like, a pimp? No, I did not send you a random woman like some kind of olden sacrifice. As if my mate would be all right with that proposition, let alone Ma. You're out of your mind.”
“You mean this perfect-for-me female just appeared. With just the right scent and words and voice to drive me insane?”
Jack wipes his hand over his tired features. “You can continue to fight against fate, or you can be grateful for the gift you've received. Either way the choice is yours.”
Easy for him to say. “If she rejects me, I'm dead.”
“Let me ask you in all honesty. Is what you're doing really any different?”
It’s my turn to be as confused as my cousin. “Now it is you who speaks in riddles.”
