"Is that what you hoped for?" he whispers, slowly turning his head to the side, his wistful gaze drifting over the hills in the distance.
My first impulse is to shout,Yes, that’s exactly what I was hoping for!And unleash hell between us again…
But suddenly something inside me justshifts.If he answers no, then what? Am I supposed to pile more disappointment on him, hurt him, show him that he means nothing to me, that he is just atoolfor revenge?
The storm inside me finally calms.
Eliano is the father of my child. He is a good man. He is my True Mate. Do I really want to keep being this messed-up version of myself, the old Salt who, on impulse, was ready to destroy something good just to vent his anger, without caring about anyone else’s feelings?
I lower my head, biting my lip. Maybe it’s time to grow up. Part of adulthood is accepting that you cannot have everything and still be able to move forward. Senu is gone. I owe him vengeance, yes, but does that mean Elianohas tocarry it out? Or what? My wrath will fall upon him?
"No," I whisper, feeling a strange relief. "I’m over it. I don’t want to bring up Tanner anymore."
I take a deep breath. That’s it. My brother is dead. I tried to avenge him and failed. I can only hope he would forgive me and wish me well as I move forward with Eliano.
Shaking off the last of my turbulent mood, I let out a huff.
There are other things that need clearing up, and maybe now is a good moment for that.
"There's something else I'd like to know."
"Okay. What is it?" Eliano watches me closely. He does not comment on my decision to set Tanner’s matter aside, but I do feel a hint of relief on his side, matching mine. I guess he was tired of that tension too, of the quiet pressure I kept putting on him.
"If we weren’t True Mates, and if there wasn’t this whole ‘Pull’ that sooner or later draws fated pairs together, would you… have come back to the island if I hadn’t reached out to you?"
A long silence.
Too long for my comfort. A sudden shiver runs down my spine.
Our eyes lock when he says, in a somewhat dark tone, "No."
Damn. Words really do have the power to hurt and push people away, and not everything can be fixed instantly.
Eliano wouldnot be backon his own. Ihadlosthim and didn’t even know it.
He’s not the type of man you can slap and then kiss and have everything be fine again, with him back on his knees.
For a strange reason… My hole clenches at the thought. Please, somebody explain it to me. Why?
Eliano studies my face, probably seeing my shock and confusion, then speaks matter-of-factly.
"It’s not that I didn’t feel anything for you, Salt. I did, I do. But it wastheMate Rejection. You noticed it yourself. Its energy kept me away. That’s just how it works."
I stay silent, clenching my fingers so tightly that my knuckles turn white. My heart is racing. Then suddenly… a small burst of sobs escapes me before I can stop it,
"Part of me was desperately hoping I’d see you standing at my door, that you’d say,You’re mine, end of discussion,and just make it all go away!" I shriek out.
Eliano tilts his head and raises his brows. "Wouldn’t that have made you explode with:How dare you asshole!?"
And I explode!
"Yes, asshole!" I let it out like a buildup of searing steam. "Can’t you see? What I did, the rejection, didn’t make any sense!" I even hop a little to emphasize my words, finally feeling my throat loosen.
Eliano rubs his chin, looks away, thinking for a moment. Then… I can’t believe it, but I see a smirk on his face.
What the fuck, I’m splitting in half here, and theassholesmirks. Yes, he deserves the name!
"Well, Salt, the option of not returning here was neverrealanyway. I knew we’d end up together. I knew we were True Mates. The Pull would finally work, even in beta-alpha pairing it kicks in after a few months."
