“That’s not Lyall’s fault.” It’s a struggle to keep my voice even. He’s judging Lyall before he’s even gotten a chance to know him. “Look, Gramps, I really like him. I know I’ve made shitty choices in the past, but that’s because they weren’thim.He’s…” Shit, what was the word Lyall used?
Fergus sits up with an unreadable expression on his face. “He’s your fated mate.”
I snap my fingers. “Yes! That’s the word.”
He sighs, shoulders slumping. “What did he tell you of fate?”
“I didn’t really understand most of it. I think the gist is that we were meant to meet and be together forever? Or something like that.” Since it looks like we’ll be here a while, I pull out a chair from the table and sit down opposite the sofa. “Why, what do you know about fated mates?”
“Wolves and witches can have fated mates. Through worship to our respective deities, we’re given great gifts. The gift of change, the gift of magic, and another great gift: the ability to know when we’ve found our one great love.”
“That’s pretty convenient. You never have to worry if things will work out.” I wish I’d found Lyall sooner. I could have saved myself a lot of heartache.
Fergus hums his agreement, plucking his glasses off his nose. “It’s one thing to claim you love someone. It’s another to fight to make things work.” When he looks at me, his brow is lined with concern. “I’m not convinced Lyall fought for you, Soren.”
My spine stiffens. “How do you—”
“Because he let you go. He said so himself.”
My throat tightens with a sudden rush of panic, remembering all the men from my past who told me they loved me, only to leave me. I shake my head. “I don’t know every detail about that day. I know that Lyall’s father was killed, his family village destroyed. The pack turned against me. They chose to exile me.”
“So why didn’t Lyall follow you into exile?”
“Because—”
Whyhadhe let me go? True, he’d searched for me all these years, but if he’d only gone with me, he could have saved himself that pain.
“I don’t know,” I admit, voice cracking.
“The Norns can only do so much,” Fergus says softly. “They guide our paths, but ultimately we are the ones in control of our destiny, Soren. You can still walk away. Fated mates or not, you aren’t bound to him.”
I’m shaking my head before he’s finished speaking. “No.”
“You barely know him—”
“I know enough!” I snap. “I know he’s the kindest, sweetest person I’ve ever met. I know he’s patient and devoted and loyal. I know that all my life, something has been missing, and I couldn’t find it again until I found him. And now that I have, I’m not letting him go.”
“Soren, there’s nothing stopping him from letting you go again.”
Heart pounding, I push to my feet and slam my chair back under the table. “I’m an adult, Fergus. If he breaks my heart, so be it. I’d rather be heartbroken from loving him than go another damn day without knowing him.”
And, like an adult, I storm into my bedroom and slam the door. Blowing out a frustrated breath, I undress, and crawl into bed. There’s a message waiting for me in my inbox.
I smile at the photo of a white dove perched on a fire escape railing.
He’s left a voice message, and my heart skips when I press the play button and his low, deep voice pours from my speakers.
“I asked my brother what this bird was. He said it is called a dove. Like a pigeon but with different colors. Jamie says they mate for life. I also mate for life. I have much in common with this bird.”
A laugh bubbles out of my chest, and damn it, I wish he was here so I could kiss him and tell him I—
Whoa, slow down a little. Remember what happened all the other times you thought you loved a guy?
My grandfather’s doubts are getting into my head. I don’t want to be mistrustful or afraid, not of Lyall. Rather than text back, I call him. He answers halfway through the first ring.
“Soren? Are you well?”
The concern in his voice makes me smile. “I’m fine. Just missed you.”
