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“You can’t make promises like that,” Mom said.“Finding your fated mate isn’t a guaranteed happy ending.Look at me and your father.”
I had been ten when my father died.I remember my mother’s agony well.But I didn’t want to think about it now.I felt drunk with excitement.My mate!“It’ll be okay, Mom.I’m going to slowly introduce her to the idea, that’s all.Aren’t you the one who is always saying that with enough hard work, we can do anything?”
“She’s also not a project that you need to complete.Jasper…I’m worried that you don’t understand what is happening to you.You say it hurts to feel this much now?It’ll get more intense as you spend time together, and make it harder and harder to be apart.And--”
My mother didn’t often hesitate to speak her mind.“And?”
“And, she’s not one of us.I’m sorry, Jasper, but it’s the truth.I know you can’t control who you mate with, but it’s always difficult for humans to adjust.There are plenty of them who make it work,” she said, cutting me off before I could list the humans who had mated with a member of our clan.“But it’s not easy.Shifters are used to the idea that when you meet your person, you drop everything and rearrange your life to be with them.If I hadn’t been mated to your father, I might not have challenged Victoria for control of Twisted Pines, and none of this would exist,” she said, gesturing to the resort.“Humans are different.It’s hard for them to commit so quickly.”
I nodded.Now that I’d claimed Edie, I didn’t want to take any chance of driving her away.“So you agree, I should introduce her to the idea slowly.”
“No, I think you should tell her now so she knows what she’s getting into,” she chided me.
I scrubbed a hand over my hair.“Look, Mom, I’m sorry I blindsided you with this idea.I know you make the final decisions on clan business, and I absolutely respect your authority.But this—this is my life.I need to handle it my way.I will tell her.Just…not yet.And none of you can tell her either.This is our business, okay?I can handle it.”
Micah’s mouth quirked up.“Wanna bet he’s confessed his undying devotion by the end of the week?”
“No bets on my love life.I mean it,” I said, pointing at all of them.“I have a plan.”
Micah clapped me on the back.“Famous last words, bro.”
