He stared wide-eyed at me. “Huh?”
“The house on Raven Hill—my manor—will now be your home, too.”
“Huh?” he squeaked again. “You're just joking... Right, Edgar?”
“I am not.” I paused. Had I misunderstood Mel's desires? “Unless you don't want to move in with me,” I added, hoping desperately that my doubts were wrong.
“N-no, that's not it at all!” Mel cried. “I'm really happy you offered... I just can't believe this is all real.”
My heart melted. I floated closer to Mel and hugged him close, rubbing my cheek against his soft hair.
“It's real, Mel,” I reminded him. “I love you. You're my fated mate, and I need you by my side. I don't want you to live in this tiny place, worrying about money every single month.”
Tears filled Mel's eyes. “Edgar…”
I smiled down at my omega's beautiful hopeful face. I always wanted to see him happy like this.
“What are we waiting for?” I asked, gesturing to Mel's cramped living room. “Let's get all of this moved right away.”
Mel blinked. “Tonight? I guess it is the first tomorrow, and that's when rent is due…”
I bristled at the mention of rent. From now on, he'd never have to worry about that again.
Just as I went to pick up Mel's desk, he laughed and touched my arm. “I think my neighbours—and everybody else on the street—would have heart attacks if they saw a huge table floating in the air. Maybe you can carry something small and I can do the rest?”
I frowned, not wanting Mel to carry a burden, but I understood where he was coming from.
“I have a better idea,” I said. “You wait right here. I'll be back in half an hour.”
* * *
Bert sighedas I approached him at the front gate of the cemetery. “Edgar, I told you, I can't leave my post.”
“I found my fated mate,” I said.
Bert's jaw dropped. I'd never seen him so shocked before.
“Are you pranking me?” he asked. “If you are, that's not funny.”
I looked into the eyes. “Absolutely not. I know without a doubt.”
His brow furrowed as he put two and two together. “Wait, are you talking about that omega you were with earlier?”
“Yes. He's the one.”
Emotions raced across Bert's face until it broke out into a relieved smile. “Well, I'm really happy for you, Edgar.”
I coughed. “You might not be so happy when you hear what I'm about to ask…”
“And what's that?”
I grinned pleadingly, hoping my terms worked as well for my friend as they did on my mate. “Mel is moving in with me. Tonight. And we need help moving his things.”
Bert's face went deadpan. Although he could've easily refused, he sighed again and said, “Fine. My shift is almost over anyway.”
I brightened. “Really?”
He shot me a half smile. “What are friends for?”
