“He did?”
“Yeah.”
That’s strange.
“Why?”
“I don’t really know. He said there was something he wanted to talk to you about. Something important.”
“Did he say what it was?”
“Something that’s going on between you and him? I’m not sure. He wouldn’t really say. Actually, he said it’s none of my business, and that you’d know what he was referring to.”
Hope floods through me. Perhaps now I can finally make sense of these feelings... and also, maybe I’m not alone in them.
“Okay,” I say, trying my best to contain my excitement and follow Cody outside.
Chapter THIRTY-THREE
Caleb
Ican’t believe she came.
And by the paled skins of the council, neither did they. Taya and Sam, on the other hand, look rather pleased. Everyone stands until she takes her seat.
My mom looks put together. More than I’ve seen her in a long time. She always used to take pride in her appearance.
“Gentlemen,” she says. “Please, be seated.” Everyone sits. “It is my understanding we are here to talk about my son’s choice of mate.”
“Yes. Medein Rosa, an elemental witch from the Zagaia’s Coven,” a councilman answers. “A fine choice. In elements, her magic is mostly rooted to the earth with erosion being her specialty, but we all know covens sometimes mingle with others.” He elbows Sam at his crude joke.
Sam, surprisingly not entertained by his behavior, growls until the guy stops touching him.
Once distance is established, he scowls as he brushes off his shoulder. The man clears his throat and continues. “What I mean is, her heritage has sometimes dabbled into the air community. Which is how Medein can also manipulate wind.”
The councilman slides Medein’s file over to Mom, who begins flipping through its contents. She looks up at me, astonished and confused. “A witch? You want to mate a witch?”
Instantly, she doesn’t approve. It’s not who either of us pictured, least of all me. “She would be good for the pack.”
“And I admire that intention, but, honey, I’m far more interested in what is good for you. Mating is for life. It’s a big decision. Are you sure you’ve thought this through?”
Before I can answer, Taya chimes in. “Yeah, Caleb. I mean, Medein is great, and any guy would be lucky to have her as a mate, but... for a wolf, a witch is an inconvenient choice.”
“Inconvenient? What do you mean?” my mother asks.
I shut my eyes tightly.
Crap.I was hoping we could skip this part. She’s not going to like this at all.
“I was saying in general that choosing a mate is a big decision. What’reyoutalking about?” My mother’s anxiety is going haywire.
Crossbreeding between species is still a new concept, and my mother has been out of commission. There have been plenty of conversations she has opted out of by not showing up. I was hoping she wouldn’t find this part out until after the decision was approved.
Taya looks at me, wide-eyed and disappointed. “You didn’t tell her?”
“Tell me what?” My mother whips her head to me. “Caleb, what are they talking about?”
I rub my forehead.
