"We're here, Mer," I called out, as we walked through the kitchen and into the massive living room she spent most of her time in.
Her favorite couch was empty.
Huh.
Niall frowned too. He knew she was usually sitting right there.
"Maybe she's in her bedroom. Wait here." I released his hand. My magic rushed back in, and I let out a breath.
I was getting more used to the rush, but it was still a lot.
Niall watched me leave."Let me know if it gets overwhelming."
"I'll be fine, but thanks."
I walked past the sunroom she kept with more couches and a ton of windows, the dark room with the blackout curtains and even more couches, and finally reached her bedroom.
The door was open, and the bed was made neatly.
"Mer?" I called out.
"In the closet," she called back.
I slipped inside.
She slowly, carefully, folded a long-sleeved shirt before lowering it to the opening of a duffel bag made of fuzzy fabric, and dropping it in.
"Are you packing a bag?" I asked, surprised.
"Yeah." She made a face. "I decided to show up at Grayson's house instead of waiting for him to abduct me. I'm only going to stay long enough that we can figure out what to do about the bond. I'm hoping he'll agree to drop it, or leave things the way they are."
"Meaning…"
"We both live our own, separate lives, and he feeds on me during the night."
"You don't want the benefits of having a fated mate?"
"I don't think our lives and schedules are compatible enough for me to reap those benefits."
I blinked. "That's one way to look at it."
She looked quickly down at her bag, and admitted quietly, "My mother couldn't handle the intensity of a full fated mate bond. She lost herself in it. I'm not willing to take the risk."
That made more sense.
Niall's mind brushed mine. The intimate sensation had me fighting a smile."Larson and Rob are here, and Darius just pulled up."
"They're about ready. Can I help you pack?"
"Please do."
"We'll be out in a few minutes,"I told Niall.
"No rush. No one has anywhere else to be."
Merrily stepped back, and I packed her bag as she quietly instructed me on what to include. We moved to her bathroom after we were done in the bedroom, and when we were done there, she had me grab her laptop, phone, and charger. I carried everything to her car for her afterward.
When everything was packed and ready, she gave me a small, worried smile.
