Page 44 of Bite for Sore Eyes

Both Rath and Torren seemed utterly captivated by this explanation, their Alpha minds clearly processing this new framework for understanding their mate's condition.

"You see," Kelly said, settling into a chair beside the bed, "your soul was pushing you to expand, and since your body and soul are very attuned, your brain started misfiring to get you to expand."

Expand.

The word resonated through Lana's chest like a bell being struck. Two years ago, she'd been comfortable at the NSA, settled in her relationship with Bryan, following the predictable path she'd mapped out for herself. Then the episodes started, and everything began falling apart—or maybe, if Kelly was right, everything had been falling into place.

"Well, maybe my soul could have been more clear," Lana said dryly.

Emry laughed, her face lighting up with genuine amusement. "The soul and universe aren't always very clear on their intentions, but that's why we were given instincts and intuition to guide us along the way."

Instincts and intuition.

Lana's mind raced back to three nights ago, sitting in her studio apartment after receiving her terminal prognosis, searching desperately for something—anything—that might give her life meaning in whatever time remained. The Paranormal Dating Agency website had appeared like a beacon in her search results, and something deep inside her had responded with recognition she couldn't explain.

"So that's why when I was searching for an adventure instead of another cure, and I saw the Paranormal Dating Agency website, my body lit up with recognition," Lana said slowly.

"Exactly," Emry confirmed, her excitement palpable. "You found what your soul was calling you toward."

Kelly leaned forward, her expression growing more intense. "So now that you understand our theory, what's most fascinating is this triad mate bond and how it works alongside it. See this bond, once completed inside your body, would act as a treatment if you will—a seal on your soul's journey, a confirmation of everything you've been building toward your entire life."

Lana's heart began racing, but not from neural misfires this time. From hope. Dangerous, terrifying hope that she'd spent two years learning to suppress.

"So, you're saying a supernatural mate bond will cure me?"

"No, not exactly cure you," Emry said carefully. "The completed triad mate bond isn't a magical cure. It's one essential part of bringing every aspect of your existence into harmony: your soul, your purpose, your home, your relationships, and your rare physiology. Healing only becomes possible because everything is finally aligned."

Lana felt both Rath and Torren's emotions spike with something that felt like salvation. Their arms tightened around her, and she could practically feel them thinking the same thing.

We can save her.

But Lana had learned not to trust hope. She'd heard promises before—from the specialist in Switzerland who thought he could reset her neural pathways, from the researcher in Boston who believed her condition was caused by a rare virus, from the doctor in Baltimore who was convinced experimental gene therapy would be the answer.

All of them had been wrong.

Yet something deep inside her—her soul, perhaps—was responding to Kelly and Emry's explanation with recognition that felt different from anything she'd experienced before. This wasn't about fixing what was broken. This was about completing what had always been meant to be.

What if they're right? What if this is why I've been drawn here, why I felt so alive the moment I stepped through that portal?

"Could you two give us some time to discuss all of this?" Lana asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Kelly stood and gathered her healer's bag while Emry collected her medical tablet. "Of course," Kelly said warmly. "Just call us if you need us."

"Thank you," Rath said, his deep voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for everything."

After the healers left, closing the guest room door softly behind them, the silence felt heavy with possibility and terror in equal measure. Lana's mind was spinning, trying to process everything she'd just heard while her heart hammered against her ribs.

A completed triad mate bond. Everything aligned. Healing becomes possible.

The words echoed in her head like an incantation, like a prayer she was afraid to speak aloud because believing in it might destroy her if it proved false. She had spent two years building walls around her heart, protecting herself from the crushing disappointment that came with failed treatments and dashed hopes.

Could she really allow herself to believe that instead of dying within the next year, she might actually have a future? Could she cautiously crack open the door to possibilities she'd forced herself to stop imagining—waking up beside Rath and Torren not just for weeks or months, but for years? Growing old with them, exploring every corner of Nova Aurora, maybe even starting a family?

The thoughts were too big, too overwhelming, too dangerous to fully embrace.

"I need to call my dad," she said suddenly, the words tumbling out.

Rath rolled from the bed immediately, his powerful frame moving with fluid grace despite his obvious reluctance to leave her side. "I'll be right back," he murmured.