Edgar put his hands on my shoulders. They were alpha's hands—large and firm, dependable and strong—all of this despite being nearly transparent. They had some weight to them, but not as much as a human. Still, they felt nice and sturdy as he helped me walk to my bedroom. The entire time, I ducked my head so he couldn't see how fiercely I blushed, but I knew that ship had sailed already.
My heart raced once we entered my small, dark room. I cursed myself for not making the bed earlier, but how was I supposed to know I'd meet a handsome alpha phantasm who'd escort me to my bed today?
With Edgar's hands still on my shoulders, I shakily sank onto the mattress. My heart thumped faster than ever, making my body twitch in an embarrassing way. I hoped Edgar didn't notice.
“Thanks,” I said breathlessly. “I probably just need to lay down for a bit. Sorry for the trouble.”
Edgar didn't move. He floated before me like a ghostly guardian. “It's no trouble, dear Mel. My only wish is for you to be safe.”
I smiled weakly. “Well, I feel safer with you than I do at any other time, so you can check that off.”
“Is that true?” Edgar murmured, astonished.
Crap. Had I said too much? I had to stop blurting out my feelings.
Without facing him, I nodded.
Then Edgar's index finger pushed up my chin, forcing our gazes to lock. The place where our skin touched sparked like electricity. Gazing up at this handsome phantasm, I was speechless, breathless... How was an alpha so perfect wasting his time on me?
Edgar stared at me like I was the only thing in the world. I swallowed the lump in my throat. What was he doing?
“Mel,” Edgar whispered.
A shiver ran down my spine. “Y-yes?”
“You're my fated mate,” Edgar said confidently.
I didn't know what to say. I couldn't think clearly. Those words floated into my brain and scrambled it like a jammed radio. Brain cells gone, I ran on physicality alone—and I couldn't handle Edgar's touch without losing it any longer.
“I like you, Edgar,” I blurted out.
Didn't Ijusttell myself I couldn't do that?
Silence engulfed the room. Edgar's mesmerized eyes focused on mine. His wispy body flowed like ink in the water. He was enchanting beyond measure.
And I wanted him all to myself.
“You like me, hm?” Edgar's voice was a purr as he leaned in, his face grazing my ear. My body burned so hot, I felt like a rotisserie chicken.
I tried to say yes, but what came out of me was a mangled squeak of confirmation. Edgar seemed to understand. He chuckled and ran his hand along my arm, shooting pleasant tingles across my skin.
“If it wasn't already obvious…” Edgar picked up my hand and kissed the back of it. "I like you, too, Mel.”
I could've died and gone to heaven. Except I didn't want to do that, because I wanted to be right here with Edgar.
“Do you know what it means to be fated mates?” he asked.
I'd never heard the term, so I shook my head.
Edgar was delighted to explain. “It means you're my soulmate—my one true love. We're destined to be together.”
My mouth dropped open in shock. I felt like I was in a dream.
“Soulmates?” I echoed in a soft voice. “You and me?”
“That's right.” Edgar stroked my cheek with his pleasantly cool hand. “You can feel it, can't you? This pull between us?”
Ididfeel it. Ever since meeting Edgar, I never wanted to be apart from him.
