We finally find a way to separate, and it's only then that I notice the sun above the trees. It looks more beautiful than it has ever been. Everything around me does.
There's a look on Grant's face that I can't quite read. It's like a mix between surprise and happiness. Something is going on that I can't really explain, but it looks like Grant is just as confused as I am.
“I think we should get back,” he says thickly.
I nod in agreement, and we walk back to the pack house, not saying much along the way. Inside, we part, and I rush to my room to take a shower so that I can feel refreshed.
My body continues to tingle, not letting up after what I'd definitely considered the most amazing kiss I’d ever had. Even as I let the water in the bathroom run over me, I keep imagining if another kiss with Grant will feel the same.
I get out of the shower and throw on some casual clothes before heading out to make breakfast. Just before I can go downstairs, I hear Grant's voice coming from the office beside me.
What's he doing there so early?
I barely move to the door when I begin to hear bits of the conversation. My hearing is still heightened from earlier, and even though I don't mean to eavesdrop, I end up hearing everything Grant says.
“I just need more information,” he says. “You've got the experience. Tell me what it feels like when the mate bond is established.”
There's silence as I assume the person on the other line is responding. At this point, I almost press myself against the door, curious about why Grant is suddenly interested in a mate bond.
“That's… that's exactly what I felt this morning,” Grant confirms. “That means Leena is my—”
He doesn't even complete his sentence before I realize what he's talking about. The blood in my body grows cold with the realization. I feel myself starting to panic as I try to make sense of the situation.
We're fated mates? Everything I felt today, everything I've felt since we met… is it because of this?
The conversation happening in the office stops, and I realize why. Grant knows I'm here. He's sensed me. I don't bother trying to run and hide as he opens the door.
“Leena,” he starts, but I cut him off.
“What does this mean?” I ask. “Everything I feel for you—it's because of this bond?”
“No, that's not how it works.”
“Then how does it work? Because I'm starting to feel trapped, like I don't have a choice. I want to fall for you because I'm falling for you, not because of a bond. I want control.”
“You still have that,” he tries to explain. “The bond doesn't mean that you have to be with me or have no choice in anything. Fated mates still have a choice in what they want to do.”
I shake my head vehemently. “How can someone feel the way I feel and decide not to stay? I don't have a choice.”
“You do,” he insists. “You still get to choose what you want.”
I feel my eyes beginning to water, but I do my best to try to keep my feelings in check. My emotions continue to run wild, though, so much that I can barely control them.
“I already feel like I'm losing control of who I am, and now I've lost even more control. I—I can't do this right now.”
I turn around and run.
“Leena! Leena, wait!” Grant chases after me, trying to reason with me, but we're far beyond that now. I run out of the house as he keeps following closely behind. “Just wait, let's talk about this,” he offers.
“There's nothing more to say,” I respond, letting the tears flow. I make a beeline for the woods, pausing just in front of the tree line and doing the last thing I ever expected to do.
I start to transform.
Chapter 18
GRANT
For the first time, I watch Leena transform on her own. It's every bit as painful to watch, but there's a small tinge of pride in seeing her take such a monumental step forward.
