She was right. “I know. I’m sorry. I… Our bond opened. When we got our marks, the bond slammed into me from the inside, as if your wolf just sucked me in. And I waselatedat first. You being my mate is a dream come true. And then I felt everything you were feeling. You were grieving the bond I wascelebrating, and I thought that meant you didn’t want it—that you didn’t want me. Leaving seemed like it would be kinder than staying and asking you to pretend to feel differently than you did.”
She bit her bottom lip, letting me finish. I used my thumb to free it, rubbing across it softly after to steady myself. Every word was the truth, even if I felt stupid in hindsight for not just staying and talking to her.
“That’s not what I wanted. I thought I was ready to let go of my old life, but… the reality of it still hurt. Even though I’m excited to bond with you, one of these days when we’re ready.”
I would bond you right now, Firecracker, before you can change your mind.
“Fiona made me see that maybe what I felt wasn’t the whole picture. I was planning to grovel if necessary.”
“How’d she manage that?” she asked with a wicked grin, as if she enjoyed the idea of her friend torching my tail.
“There was a light show and everything.” I mimed fireworks.
Elodie threw her head back and laughed, clinging to my sides like I was the only thing holding her to the planet. “You know I’m going to ask her too, right?”
“Please do. I think she’s proud of the lightning.”
“It’s a miracle she didn’t fry your ass instead of asking questions.”
“She’s definitely temperamental. And protective of her friends.” I planted a quick kiss on her cheek.
“Yeah, we all are.” I felt the tension leach out of her, her whole body softening in my arms as she relaxed.
I hummed my agreement, happy to have her back in my arms, weather-wielding friends and all. I’d run through actual fire for this woman, so what was a little lightning?
Elodie bit her lower lip and peered up at me. “I told Galyna just a few minutes ago. She was surprisingly supportive. She said I still have to get up before dawn and train with them.”
I rocked back on my heels, surprised. “No rest for the wicked, huh?”
“No, doesn’t sound like it.”
“Probably for the best. You seem like the type to get bored if things get too easy.”
She sighed. “One of these days, I’d like the chance to find out.”
I could hear her weariness and couldn’t deny the echo of it in my own soul. “You and me both. We should plan a honeymoon. A blow-out, no-holds-barred epic honeymoon to make the rest of the pack wildly jealous.”
“You know they’re all rich as fuck, right? They can go anywhere they want.”
“But not with you. And no matter where on earth we go, you’ll be the most beautiful part of the view.”
The smile she gave me could launch one thousand ships, I was sure of it. “You’re too much, but don’t you dare change.” She paused, a slightly more somber expression replacing the light one she’d just had. “I have to turn in my sword in the morning.”
“Yeah? That’s probably going to be hard.”
She nodded. “I was thinking that after I drop it off, it might be time to try out the other guardian’s sword. If… you still want that.”
You could have knocked me over with a feather. “More than anything. If you’re sure? It’s okay if you’re not ready. This has all happened fast.”
She shrugged. “Life isn’t slowing down. There’s only one day left until the blood moon.”
The thought saddened me. No matter what, we had to come through on the other side together. I couldn’t find her and then lose her so quickly. It would destroy me.
“I know.”
“So, tomorrow bright and early?”
“Bright and early. Which leaves us the rest of the night,” I whispered suggestively.
