Elden’s expression turns warm. “You have done more than enough,” he tells me. “Frankly, it’s amazing how you pushed through at such a young age with barely any help. Now it’s time for others to step up.”
“Yes, and don’t worry, we’ll discuss everything with you before anything happens,” Aurelia says. “You will always have the last word.”
Felix puts his arms around me. It’s mind-boggling how quickly a relationship between shifters can progress. I always felt like an outsider, believing I would have a human experience, but now that I am amidst it myself, I know the difference. I don’t even question my relationship with Felix anymore, although I’ve only known him for a couple of days.
He already fills my mind with his presence. I don’t even know yet how we will cope with living together, and how our lives will continue, considering we are both still so young. I know other shifters have done it before me, I know it’s normal, but my mind can barely catch up with my emotions.
My heart is fully in this, but my rational mind will probably need a while to arrive here.
Felix doesn’t seem to mind, though. He is willing to do everything at my pace and support my dreams.
My own cottage with Felix, and a shed I can turn into a proper barn for my pets. I bet in the garden there would be space for a manmade little water place for my otter and capybara.
My heart makes a leap of joy. Despite my mind still struggling, I am full of hope for the future, for the first time in my life.
twenty-five
He is Mine
*FELIX*
Ilook around the building my parents chose for my mate and me, feeling my throat tightening slightly. “Is this really okay, Mom? This place is big, much more spacious than I thought it would be.”
I barely ever came to this house, although it was always right behind the packhouse. Maybe because Dad held it so dear that he couldn’t even set foot in it himself. Sometimes I wonder what kind of person my grandma was. I’ve never met her, but Dad only ever says good things about her; when he talks about his parents at all, that is.
Mom once told me that he grew up very lonely.
“Of course it is,” she reassures me, before pulling me into a hug. “I am so happy for you, Felix, and so proud. You accepted your mate immediately, and also Marina and Faye. This shows a lot of maturity.”
“I agree,” Dad says, putting down the three boxes he was carrying at once. “I am not surprised, though. I always knew you were a great young man.”
“But this here is too much. This is your special place.”
“Not really,” Dad says. “I just couldn’t let go of it. Before my mother turned ill and my father-“ he pauses. “She came to this place a lot, for as long as she could. After she passed, I didn’t want to let go and turn it into justanyspace. But you and Gwen living here? That’s perfect.”
“Dad, there is something else I need to tell you.” Might as well get it over with.
“This is my cue,” Mom says, smiling brightly at us before skipping towards Aurelia and Arden.
“But, Mom, I need to-“
“I know it anyway,” she says, laughing brightly.
“Well?” Dad looks at me curiously.
“Okay, I am going to say it straight out.”
Silence lingers between us for what feels like minutes.
“I don’t want to pressure you into anything,” Dad says, lips twitching into a smile. “But you are not saying anything.”
“I am not going back to college,” I blurt out, holding my breath.
Dad looks at me thoughtfully. “So, you did come to a decision?”
His reaction throws me off completely. “Yes… I… Dario is convinced I could do it, I am not so sure about that, but even if… It’s really not for me. I want to either learn a trade or choose another type of education.”
“Okay,” he says simply. “That’s fine. Did you really freak out about telling me?”
