Page 29 of Owl’s Cherished Mate

Not the way my owl had chosen her, which was instant and certain and beyond my control. This was different. This was mine. The human part of me catching up to what the animal had known all along. I loved the way she showed up for her brother even when he made it impossible. The way she didn’t quit, but instead dug deeper for those she cared about. I loved her strength. I loved her, but standing in the doorway of a police station at three in the morning wasn’t the time to say it.

Even so, I knew it now, and knowing it made every decision from here forward simple.

The next hour was mostly waiting. Wick came and went. There was paperwork, phone calls, and more paperwork. Lawson stared at the floor the entire time. Bonnie sat beside him without moving, and I remained standing.

Around four thirty in the morning, Wick came back and told Bonnie that Lawson was being released into her custody. His juvenile hearing was pending, and community service was likely, along with a counselor. It was consequences for his actions, but not a cell, and I think it was the best any of us could hope for.

I drove them home in my truck. It was a quiet ride. Lawson sat in the back seat with his forehead against the window, and Bonnie sat up front staring straight ahead. Nobody spoke.

When I pulled into Bonnie’s driveway and cut the engine, Lawson was out of the back seat before either of us moved, heading for the front door without a word.

Bonnie watched him go, then turned to me. “Come inside? Please.”

I nodded and followed her inside.

Lawson was in the hallway when we walked in. He’d stopped outside his bedroom door and turned back to look at Bonnie.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“I know,” she said with a tired smile. “Get some sleep.”

He nodded and closed his door.

Bonnie stood in the hallway for a moment and released a slow breath before she turned to look at me. “Do you want some coffee?”

“Sure.”

She went to the kitchen and started the coffee maker. I followed her. When it was ready, she handed me a mug and fixed one for herself.

“Back porch?” she asked.

“After you.”

The night air was cool as we sat on the porch steps. I glanced up and stared at the stars. If not, all I would do is stare at her.

“Tonight was something,” she said after a while.

“It was.”

“What you said to Darren. You called me your mate.”

My pulse kicked up. “I did.”

“What does that mean? I think I know, but I want to hear it from you.”

I set my mug on the step and turned to face her. I hadn’t planned on telling her any of this. The word had come out in the moment, aimed at Darren, and now I had to explain what it meant.

“You saw my owl,” I said. “So you know what I am. Shifters have mates. One person. It’s instinctual—a bond that goes deeper than attraction or choice. It’s for life.”

“Your owl chose me.”

“Yes.”

“When?”

“The first night you walked into the library.”

Her eyes widened. “That long ago? I didn’t even think you noticed me.”