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“How did this ever come to be?” Griffin asked curiously as he looked around. “What sparked it?”
“The summer solstice has always been regarded as a divine day for us witches, and we often feel a swell in our power because of it. The shifters didn’t always need our help discovering their true mate bonds, but with the new fast pace of the world, it can be harder to figure out for many reasons. Me being an example of that,” I explained, more than happy to explain it to him. “Reading their bonds was one of the first ways we worked side by side with the shifters, which started before I was even born. They look to us for our divine abilities, and as a thank you, they would throw the festival.”
“So, it’s a day to celebrate the witches and true bonds?”
I nodded. “And the summer solstice itself. It’s a way for shifters and witches to embrace the peace between us, and to give back to one another. I love the sense of community it brings us.”
“I have to admit, Rose Valley knows how to put on events,” Griffin said, smiling down at me. “I’m looking forward to our own reading.”
My smile grew even bigger at that. “I am too.”
That bond felt secure enough and so full of love that I didn’t have any doubt in my mind about it. Most couples approached the ceremony feeling nervous, but I didn’t need to be.
After how we managed to drift into each other’s lives, it couldn’t be anything other than that bond.
We were both so happy, and we found our balance of sunshine and grumpiness. Even if we both had some learning to do, I was proud of how far we had come. I looked forward to what was ahead even more.
As we ventured onto a new path, we paused the moment a familiar face stopped us. Noah was there, hands in his pockets as he looked between us.
Griffin tensed, and my stomach dropped. But I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze to let him know I was there, and I trusted him. No matter what happened, we would be fine. Noah couldn’t threaten that, regardless of his intentions.
“Sara, Griffin,” Noah began, taking a deep breath. Regret stitched within his features. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry for trying to get in between what you two have. It was an honest and innocent crush, and I resented how Griffin caught your attention. With my background in the Black Ops, I’ve been conditioned to try and help whoever I can, even if they aren’t really in danger. I should’ve stopped pursuing you the moment I realized there was something between you two. As a shifter myself, I know how important that bond is.”
Griffin and I were both shocked into silence, and it took everything in my power to not exchange a glance with him.
I never thought the time would come for Noah to apologize but hearing it from him was surprisingly nice. Even if I wasn’t interested in him, I never wanted things to be sour between us. I wanted the best for him, no matter what that meant.
“I respect you both too much to want to get in the way of what you two share. So, I’m sorry for how I acted. I was out of line, but I hope you can find it within yourselves to forgive me,” he continued, earnest in his apology.
Relieved to hear it, my shoulders relaxed, and I offered him a smile. “That’s very considerate of you, Noah. Thank you for approaching us and apologizing.”
He nodded in acknowledgment, then faced Griffin and seemed to await whatever judgment would be dished out.
I couldn’t help but wonder what Griffin had to say.
Even if we had gone over everything between the two of us, and we were both on the same page, Griffin never expressed what he would say to Noah if he had the chance. I knew he wasn’t the biggest fan of his, but I didn’t know the extent of it.
“It takes a lot of guts to say what you just did, so thank you,” Griffin said, pulling a small smile at Noah’s evident surprise and relief. He reached out to shake his hand. “No hard feelings?”
At the realization, Noah nodded and shook his hand. “No hard feelings.”
I never expected anything of the sort to happen, but it instilled a new sense of ease within me. With that loose end tied, I felt like we could completely move on from what happened between the three of us.
It was a nice feeling.
“Enjoy the festival. I’ll see you two around,” Noah said with a small wave.
“You too!” I said, to which he continued past us and into the festival.
“Hell must be freezing over,” Griffin murmured to me with an amused expression.
“Let it,” I said gently, rubbing my thumb against the back of his hand. “I think that was a good sign for today.”
“I do too.”
The exchange made me think back to Rowan’s effort to find peace between our two groups, and I knew it had to be working.
“Sara, Griffin!”
