"Ashton found his mate." Drake clapped a hand on Zaden's shoulder with a grin that matched Skye's. "That means the rest of us will find ours soon."
Zaden's eyes widened with genuine surprise. "You're kidding me," he exclaimed, looking from one to the other. "All of us? The old legends are true?"
"Every single one," Skye said. "Did you ever doubt them? My aunt's clan got fated mates because their alpha found his."
"Wow." Zaden breathed out and beamed at me. "That's... huge."
"Tell me about it," I said under my breath, what was at stake pressing down on me. If she fully rejected me… "Speaking of which." I drew their attention. My heart hammered against my chest, but I knew I couldn't wait any longer. "I have to talk to Erin. To ask for a chance. I can't stand this."
"Really?" Aurelia asked, her smile warm and encouraging. "It's been three days. I think it's time."
"Good on you, mate." Zaden clapped me on the back. "Go get her."
"Thanks." The single word was heavy with gratitude and nerves. I had made up my mind. It was now or never.
Chapter 29
Erin
The days blurred,one into the next. I kept my hands busy, pouring coffee and wiping counters with mechanical precision. My mind, however, refused to cooperate, replaying Ashton's departure on an endless loop over the last week. Guests came and went, their faces a mere blur. It was like moving through water, every step, every motion felt heavier, saturated with his absence.
I missed Ashton terribly, but I was still unsure what to do.
"Erin," Laurie said through the monotony of my routine. I looked up to find her standing there with two steaming mugs and a concerned frown etching her forehead.
"Sit down with me for a sec, will you?" She gestured to the empty table by the window.
I obliged, sliding into the chair opposite her. The warmth from the mug seeped into my palms but did nothing to thaw the icy knot inside my chest.
"Talk to me," Laurie said, her eyes kind yet probing. "You've been walking around like a ghost since Ashton left. Before you say it's nothing, I've seen enough heartache to recognize it."
I opened my mouth, then closed it again. How could I explain the truth—that the man I loved wasn't entirely human? That he belonged to a world of witches and dragons?
"Unless he cheated on you or hit you... something truly unforgivable, you should find a way to forgive him," Laurie said, softly but rather insistent. "You two are clearly made for each other. Whatever it is, it can't be beyond repair, right?"
I stared at her, the words lodging in my throat. Forgiveness. The concept seemed foreign, yet achingly familiar. Ashton hadn't betrayed me. He didn't have a reason to need forgiveness. He had protected me, even from the truth that now lay between us. Then he'd told me the truth, and I'd acted badly. The problem was: Could I accept a pre-destined dragon mate?
"Life's too short for what-ifs. Don't let pride or fear dictate your happiness." She reached over to give my hand a reassuring squeeze.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. She was right. I really did miss him, so much that I was pretty sure I was in love with him. The realization that I loved Ashton didn't just make me sad—it hollowed me out with longing for what I'd pushed away.
I paced my living room, Laurie's words still echoing in my mind. The truth was, she was right. Ashton had done nothing but protect me, his secrets notwithstanding. He saved me at the cabin—that wasn't a dream or drugs. My heart raced at the memory, not with fear, but with longing.
"Okay," I mumbled to the empty room, "he's never harmed you. He's only ever kept you safe."
My hands trembled slightly as I stopped pacing and sat down on the couch. Why had I reacted so badly? Ashton's nature, his true self, was just a part of who he was. Part of the man I had fallen for. Was it really fair to judge him for being something more than human when all he'd shown me was kindness?
"Stupid." I chastised myself. I wanted to accept him, everything about him, but first, I had to find the courage to face him after how I'd left things. Worse, I had to figure out how to apologize, to grovel, if necessary, because I was embarrassed by my ignorance and fear.
How would I grovel? Was there a good way? It felt ridiculous but necessary. Ashton deserved that much—an apology given face to face, with as much sincerity as I could muster. What would I say?
I stood, walked to the mirror hanging by the door. "Okay, Erin," I told my reflection. "You can do this. You have to do this."
With those words, a shaky determination settled.
I stepped outside, the sky dimming as dusk took its hold, colors bleeding out into a deep indigo. Gravel crunched under my feet, as I headed toward my car to go to Ashton's house to apologize. I froze when I saw a stranger, leaning casually against my car, his presence an unexpected blot in the fading light.
He was straight out of a gangster film, with slicked-back hair and a suit that screamed expensive and dangerous. A gold chain glinted at his neck, and he twirled a ring on his finger, catching the last rays of sunlight. His eyes were hidden behind mirrored sunglasses, even though night was nearly upon us.
