I raised a brow. "Well, actually, you could have. You had your wings and freedom back."
"Fine. I didn't want to 'cause the idea of leaving you bothers me, all right?" Farley blurted out.
I sucked in a soft breath. Did he really just say that?
But Farley didn't take it back. In fact, he stared at me with fierce determination. It made me shiver. He was completely serious, wasn't he?
There was no way my initial feelings about him were true, despite the annoying nagging voice in the back of my head—also known as my fox form—insisting otherwise. He wouldn't shut the hell up about how Farley was my fated mate.
But he couldn't be right... Could he?
My throat felt dry. I licked my lips. My blood felt hot whenever Farley looked at me. And that kiss...
Farley suddenly huffed and turned around. "Sorry. I shouldn't have said anything about that. I just wanted to apologize for lying. That's it."
I reached out and grabbed his wrist before he could walk away. "Wait."
Farley stopped. The air between us crackled with invisible sparks.
"If we're not hiding things from each other," I began slowly, "then there's something I have to tell you, too."
"Tell me."
I took a deep breath. My fox was raring to go, wanting to spill everything. No more secrets between us.
But this was a whole other kind of secret—one that would push Farley away if I wasn't careful.
Then again, if my inner fox was right and Farleywasmy fated mate, then he wouldn't push away, would he? It would just open a door to a deeper relationship.
As I swallowed thickly, I noticed Farley's eyes trailing down my neck.
There was no keeping it to myself anymore. I let out a mix of a sigh and a laugh. "Well, I may as well just spit it out. My inner fox is telling me you're my fated mate."
Farley's posture stiffened. He stared at me incredulously as his cheeks turned a shade deeper. He cleared his throat. "Oh. Is that so?"
"Yup." I shrugged, trying to keep it lighthearted. "No more secrets, right? Figured I'd get the last one out. Unless you're hiding the fact that you can shift into a bald eagle or something."
Farley snorted. "If that's what you're hoping for, prepare to be sorely disappointed."
"Nah. I like you just the way you are."
Farley's gaze softened.
Wait. Was that arealsmile on his face? Not a smirk or a scoffing grin? Joy bubbled up in my chest and I beamed.
"What?" Farley asked.
"You're smiling."
Farley blushed harder and turned his head to the side to hide his face. "No, I'm not."
"You totally are." I chuckled. "And you know what? It's adorable."
I strode up to him. I wanted to see it up close.
"C'mon, don't pout," I said. "Show me again."
Farley was turning a shade of beet red. "Annoying fox," he mumbled. He finally gave up and faced me again, this time no longer hiding his smile. "There. Happy now?"
