“Let’s go have an amazing time, Buttercup,” Eddie says, a smile finally reaching his eyes.
This man is my mate. There is no possible way that he isn’t. Eddie Enchanted is my soul mate. He is the one destined for me by the Moon Goddess. He has to be.
“Eddie Enchanted, you’re my—” I nearly stumble over my words in the sudden rush to get them out, which doesn’t matter because he interrupts me.
“Don’t rush it, Buttercup. I’ll always be here.” He holds out his hand for mine. Did he know what I was going to say? Why did he stop me?
As much as the rejection stings, I let it rest as he pulls into the parking lot of the venue. We step out together, hand in hand, as Harper and Jason walk over to greet us. It’s amazing seeing all the guests and the surrounding beautiful forest that would please any bear shifter’s soul. There isn’t a white aisle for Harper to walk down. Instead, bear shifters have a round table outside big enough to fit an insane amount of guests with the couple of honor in a hole in the middle of the table.
There’s a light tap on my shoulder, and I turn around to greet the first guest to break the ice on my attendance. “Willow, I’m happy you’re here,” Sherry, one of the many bakers in Kaler City, says. She wears a snake-like smile, and her eyes glint with mischief. I knew eventually I would have to deal with this city’s nosy-ass gossips.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I reply, a grim smile on my face. I glance at Eddie, who is trying to hold back a laugh by the way his shoulders keep trying to rise up. He slides his arm around my waist, pulling me comfortably into his side. He is here with me, proudly. I blush again and lean my head on his shoulder.
“After everything with Milo, I thought you’d never date again after your mate’s death and everything.” Sherry’s bite is quick, and honestly, I’m thanking my mother’s vileness at dinner for preparing me for the nasty citizens of Kaler City.
“You may not know everything like you think you do, Sherry.” My mother comes up behind Sherry, causing the woman to jump and gasp with a hand on her chest. Both women glare at each other. “The art of minding our business has done wonders for our skin, don’t you think, Willow? Maybe Sherry should try it.”
“I’ll get going. I have to congratulate the mating couple,” Sherry excuses herself, rushing in the opposite direction.
“Isn’t she a piece of work?” my mother comments, rolling her eyes. I’m not completely sure how to interact with her after our fight last night. Normally, she leaves me to the wolves, no pun intended, when it comes to the town’s gossips. My mother appears to be over our fight, which is nice, of course. I never want my mother to be upset, but she was the offender, not the offended. It is up to me how I wanted to proceed, and to be honest, I’m not sure how I feel. I know I didn’t have to forgiveher for cruel words, but I feel guilty for holding on to my wounded heart. Always have and probably always will.
“Indeed, she was,” Eddie cuts in. He gives my mom a small nod in acknowledgment as I remain still. I see a sharpness in his eyes, and it’s the only sign I get of Eddie’s dislike, or maybe awareness, of my mother. Is it shameful to have a quiver of happiness at seeing he’s on my side? I mean, I should want Eddie to like my mother; in any normal situation that would be expected. But this isn’t a normal situation, and I can’t help the love that flows into my system as I catch the tiniest sign that he is on my side.
“She wasn’t the first and she won’t be the last,” I mutter while bringing my drink to my lips. I’d dealt with about a dozen other Sherry’s and lived with one for nineteen years. I didn’t need my mother to step in. Though it was nice to be defended by her. It wasn’t something that happened often, and I can appreciate the act. As nasty as it is, I am not ready to forgive her, not that she is even apologizing. “Enjoying the party?”
“Of course, dear. I planned it.”
“It’s nice to see one of your children mated off, huh?” I joke. Tender emotions of past comments made by the woman in front of me come to the surface, but I shoved them back down. Why bring up old drama now?
“Yes, Harper is happy, and I’ve come to learn that’s all I can ask for,” my mother says, glancing at me with an unreadable look. I would love my mom forever and always, but forgiving her was something that would have to be earned, not given.
“Willow, darling?” Wrinkles form around her eyes, showing the smallest amount of stress and maybe even worry.
“Yes?” I say, preparing for the mean comment she’s bound to deal to me.
“I acted... foolishly last night. I’m... I apologize for my unkind words. I shouldn’t have said them.” Her eyes are downcast,and her shoulders are straight. She was never the woman to apologize for anything, yet here she is, giving her daughter her first apology.
“Thank you,” I say. I’m not comfortable for much more than a thank you. What do you say to someone who’s crushed you since you were a child? I can see she is a changing lady. I am a changing lady too. We were growing and changing, and I can’t ask for anything more. But I can’t forgive her like I wish I could.
I offer her a small smile before I take Eddie’s hand and head towards the thickly wooded part of the forest. Standing on the outskirts of the event, we watch the crowds of people here to celebrate Harper’s mating, and in a way, I’m happy she has all these people who celebrate her. As much as I wish to be part of their circle, I know I never will be. As cruel or nasty as small-town people can be, I still grew up with them, and a small part of me wishes I fit in with them.
“How are you doing?” Eddie asks. His presence suddenly covering my back as his body heat and hands wrap around my waist. He cuddles into me with his chin resting on my shoulder. With him here, I can breathe a little.
“I’m okay.”
“But something still upsets you,” he says, leaning his head on top of mine as we stand huddled together.
“I’m more realizing a loss, but then again, as much as I can try to fit myself in here, I’ve found a place where I don’t have to try so hard. A place where I can be myself. Thank you, Eddie—” I turn around in his arms to face him, my eyes meeting his.
“Thank you for what, Buttercup?”
He interrupts me again. I was going to tell him he was mine, and somehow, I know it like I know how to breathe, yet he stopped me. Once could be an accident, but twice is... twice is definite. He isn’t, I don’t know, interested? “For being perfect,” I say, pulling out of his arms slightly. “Let’s go back.”
“Willow, I see you’ve been doing well,” a voice I didn’t want to hear any time soon says. Mr. Barrow is a man who didn’t give anyone a break, not me, not his kids, not even his wife. He’s a tall, black bear shifter with the anger of a real brown bear. He’s alone, which only makes me wonder if his mate is left mingling with the rest of the guests alone. It wouldn’t be a surprise to me if she was.
More importantly, though, are the words that spark from my memory when his face comes into view. When Layla said Miloandher parentssold her off to the BSM. It wasn’t only Milo who took part in Layla’s misery; it was them, too.
My teeth itch as my canines try to come forward. As much as I want to fight this man today, Harper and Jason catch my eye. I can’t ruin their day. I don’t want to let the crimes committed against Layla go unpunished, though. Was it even my punishment to deal out?
