“He’s been having nightmares,” I say quickly. “He can’t sleep.”
“Has he asked Red for a sleeping draught?”
“He doesn’t want it. He thinks he won’t be able to wake up from the dreams.”
Forest studies me for a long moment, his gaze heavy but not unkind. When he steps closer, I brace myself for a lecture about Tobias being our guest and to keep my distance. Instead, Forest says, “Be careful, Rowen.”
I frown. What does that mean? “I know he’s a half-blood, but—”
“Not that.” His voice softens. “We all know the risks of having him here. I accepted them, same as I accepted Red being half mage.”
“Then what—?”
“I’m saying, be careful with his heart. And yours.”
The words land like a warning and a mercy all at once. My chest tightens. Shit, my uncle reallyhasseen how I feel for Tobias, hasn’t he?Does he know what I know?
“That man has been through more than any of us,” Forest says. “He might not be ready for a relationship.”
“I know that.” I shuffle my toes against the carpet, feeling like a little kid again. “I haven’t been pushing for anything. I’ve just been there for him. That’s all.”
He nods slowly. “I know. I’ve seen you holding back. But after how you reacted last night… you know what this is, don’t you?”
I swallow hard. Fuck. How can my alpha see it? I’ve only started to accept it myself.
“He’s your mate, Rowen,” Forest says simply. “Your fated one.” He pauses, as if allowing me the time to catch up. Then his eyes fill with pride. “But you know that, don’t you?”
“I just realized it last night, yeah.” The pull to return to Tobias is unmistakable. Not a need exactly, but a yearning. A quiet ache behind my ribs. I long to be near him.
He nods. “Sage and I have seen it. I think even your mother has.”
I stumble back, disbelief coursing through me. “You’ve—you’ve talked to my mom about this?”
Forest laughs quietly. “She brought it up last week, only because she has the same concerns I do. We don’t know if Tobias is ready for anything.”
I scrub my face, unsure of what to say.
“For what it’s worth, we both think he’s a good match for you. He grounds you, gives you purpose. And you give him a sense of safety.”
His words soften something in me, cracking open the truth just a little more—daring me to examine it. I turn away, tracing my finger against the iron markings on his dresser. “I felt like I was drifting before him, Uncle. Like, since Dad died, I didn’t have a light anymore, you know? I knew I had a family and a pack, and that you guys meant everything to me. But Toby…”God, Toby.I’ve felt it for a while now, even if I didn’t understand it. The need to provide for him. Comfort him.
He gives you purpose.That rings truer than anything else. Tobias is my purpose.
Forest studies me for a long moment. “It’s funny you bring him up. Your dad. I haven’t seen you smile since he died. You’ve laughed, sure, but not like you have this past month. Jer and Evan thawed that ache a little, I think. Actually, I think they thawed it for all of us. But you, Rowen. No, I haven’t seen you smile like you do with Tobias in a very long time.”
His words hit me deep. I can’t deny them.
Forest squeezes my shoulder, turning me to face him again. “Trust your instincts, nephew. That’s all I’m saying. It’s not leading you astray. Just be careful, okay? Heisa half-blood, like you said, which means he probably doesn’t feel it as strongly as you.”
“I know.”
Forest surprises me by pulling me in for a hug. He’s never been an affectionate man. His voice rumbles low in my ear. “Love you, Ro. If yourfather could see you now, he would be so proud of you. I have no doubt about that.”
My eyes burn. I needed to hear that. “Love you too.”
17
TOBIAS
