"Please, just consider it," Ashton said, his eyes searching mine for a sign of forgiveness.
"Maybe," I said, though the idea of facing them made my stomach churn. "Just... go now, Ashton. Please." After two years of being spurred, the whole friendship, the girls' night, the sex with Ashton. It was all because he and they believed I was supposed to be some predestined mate.
What bullshit. They hadn't wanted to be my friend at all. They'd just wanted Ashton to bite me, turn me into some half-winged freak so that they could find their own people to claim and fuck.
He nodded, a look of pained acceptance crossing his face before he turned and left, leaving me alone with a million questions and a heart too heavy to bear.
I didn't know how long I'd been standing before I finally moved to sit down, my legs weak. My mind was a whirlwind, each thought colliding with another, creating a storm I couldn't escape.
"Erin?" Aurelia's voice from the other side of the door broke through the chaos. "Can we talk?"
I hesitated, then walked over and opened it. She stood there, her eyes filled with worry.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Am I okay?" The question felt absurd. "No, I'm not okay." Who would be okay after the evening I'd had?
"Please, let's sit down. I can explain some things," she said softly. "Maybe make some sense for you."
I nodded, leading her to the couch, and we sat.
"Explain then." I crossed my arms.
"First, I am sorry you're hurt," Aurelia said. "Sosorry. We never wanted to deceive you. Our nature—it's not something we can freely share."
"Because I might have run off and told the world?" I said bitterly.
"Not just that," she said. "It's also for your protection. The magical world can be dangerous for humans who are unprepared."
I just stared at her. Unprepared, my ass.
"Being Ashton's mate, it's a big deal in our world. It's not taken lightly. And let's be honest. You didn't react well, and you know Ashton and care for him. Do you think the general population would just welcome shifters with open arms?"
Well. She might have had a point about that. "Great," I said flatly. "So what, I become a dragon too?"
"Only if you accept the bond," she said. "You have a choice."
"A choice that seems like no choice at all," I said.
"It's a lot to process, I know." Aurelia reached out as if to touch my hand but then pulled back. "I could also point out that you lived here and told nobody about your mob problem because it would've put you in danger."
Damn. She had another point. I had a big secret I had to keep, too.
I gave her a look that hopefully said I was listening and absorbing.
She patted my hand. "Just know we are here for you, however you need us."
"Thanks," I said, though the word felt empty.
"Take your time, Erin." Aurelia stood. "We want you to choose what's best for you. We, Skye and I, we want to be your friend, no matter what happens with my brother."
"Right." I watched her leave.
I sat back, alone again, my new reality settling around me like a shroud. I had a lot to think about.
Chapter 28
Ashton
