“Whydidn’t you tell me this before?” he asked. “Findingyour mate is a big deal.”
Ishrugged. “It’sbeen a whirlwind.”Asif those four words could explain anything? “She’spregnant with my child,”Iadded.
Hiseyes widened. “That’samazing.Congrats, man!You’regoing to be a father!”
AfterItoldDamon,IvisitedGraysonin his office.Igave him a quick update with my plan to go toSalemand then admitted, “Idon’t know ifI’llbe back.”Aftera heavy exhale,Iadded, “ButIcan’t be this far from my mate.”
“Iunderstand,”Graysonreplied with a nod. “Youalways have a place here with the pack.”
Alump welled in my throat.I’dbe leaving my pack and my home, facing an unknown future.Trepidationfor what lay ahead crept up my spine.
Icouldn’t let fear of the unknown stop me.Myfuture lay withCassandraand our family, of thatIwas sure.
Ifshe’d accept me.
* * *
AsIpackedsome belongings in my cabin,Icircled around it.Itwas odd to leave after spending so many years with this as my home.Funnyhow much had changed after one night there withCassandraand discovering she was my mate.Itchanged everything.I’dnever be the same.
Whenit came down to it, this cabin was only a shelter—four walls and a roof.Ittook more than that to make a home, and it was time for me to seek that out.
Myresolve fortified,Ithrew some bags in my trunk and bid farewell to the mountains.ThenIset out on the journey back toSalem—back to my mate.
AsInavigated the winding roads through the mountains,Ishuffled through a playlist.WhenBillyIdol’s“CatchMyFall” played, a smile spread across my face.Meetingmy fated mate had all started withCassandra’stumble on the mountain.AfterI’dtripped over the kids in the hotel and joked for her to catch my fall next time, she’d teased asking ifItried to match her fall.
Oh,Cassandra.Theache to be near her grew.Damn,Imissed her.
HowcouldIfeel so much so soon for someoneIhadn’t known for that long?
Becauseshe’s our mate, my wolf declared without hesitation.
Yes.Foronce,Ididn’t argue with him.
AsInearedSalem,anticipation pulsed through my veins.Theprospect of seeingCassandraagain ignited a fire of yearning within.Myleg twitched.Thepossibility of her not being happy about my return stirred increasing anxiety that churned in my gut.
Iwouldn’t leave.Icouldn’tleave.Sure, she could stomp on my heart and reject me, but there was something bigger at stake than my feelings—our child.EvenifCassandradidn’t want me as her mate,I’dbe there for our child.
Myphone buzzed.ItwasCassandracalling.Myheart beat with a long thump.Istared at the screen in wonder.WasIimagining this from thinking about her so much?Aftergaping for another two seconds,Iassured myselfIwasn’t delusional.
“Hello.”IhopedIsounded calm.
“Valen.”Hervoice sounded slightly breathless.Ihadn’t heard that sweet sound sinceIleftSalem, and it brought a surprising sense of comfort to my restless soul.
“Iwas wondering if...Paigewas asking about you.You’dmentioned skiing there, andIwas thinking…”Hervoice trailed off once more.Shesighed and then asked, “Couldwe come up this weekend?”
Myheart jolted. “No!”Ibarked beforeIhad a moment to censor myself.
“No?”Shequestioned with surprise.
Iran my hand through my hair.Damn,Icouldn’t screw this up.Aftera deep breath,Iexhaled. “Imean,I’drather you not come up this weekend becauseI’mnot there.”
“Oh.”Aftera pause, she asked, “Whereare you?”
Iturned onto her street and approached her house. “Lookoutside your front window in about three seconds.”
CHAPTER17
CASSANDRA
