Page 51

“Don’t be mad that she told me you found your mate. She didn’t tell me who or how. So spill the tea! I want to know everything! Was I right? Is it Caelon?”

“Yes, it’s him.”

She squeals, dancing around in a circle while jumping up and down. I hold my hands up in front of me, not sure what to do with that.

“I knew it! I freaking knew it! How did you find out? Was it magical? Melt in a puddle? Steamy? Did you feel the pull?”

“Damn, one question at a time.” I laugh as I walk over to my bed and plop down on top of it with a sigh.

“I wanted to see Shadow one last time because I was worried I might find my mate and never get to see him again. But, as I was walking that way, I felt the pull. It was pulling me right to our not so secret anymore field. I practically ran, Odes.”

“Oh emmm geee,” she gushes as she rushes over to the bed, plopping down next to me.

“I came into the clearing and there was Shadow sitting in our normal spot. I was so confused at first because I knew that the mate bond was pulling me there, but it was Shadow and not a person. That is until they transformed into Caelon. Odes, the second our eyes met, it clicked. Everything made sense, I felt as though the lost piece of me was found. It was everything that I would have dreamed of when it came to finding my mate.”

She sighs as she props her hands up under her head, watching me as I recount the story. We spend the next thirty minutes going over everything else that happened all the way up to the point of coming home.

“Damn, possessive Caelon is kinda hot. Who knew the quiet math nerd had a possessive streak about him.” She fans herself.

I swat her with one of my stuffed animals before she busts out laughing. She calms down before she rolls back onto her side facing me.

“What’s bothering you?”

“Nothing,” I say as I pick at the fuzz on my teddy bear.

She reaches over and rubs my arm. “Something,” she says quietly.

“Why didn’t he tell me before now?”

“Oh sweetie, I’m sure he had his reasons. One probably being that you were underage. I’m sure he will tell you if you ask him.”

“Yeah.” I sigh as I roll over looking at the ceiling.

Odessa sits up and pats my thigh. “Come on, let’s get all dolled up for dinner and the party! It’s your big day, so no more moping about questions that we can’t answer right now anyways.”

She bounds off the bed, running out of the room and into the bathroom to gather supplies. Goddess save me from whatever she’s about to do. I love her more than anything, but she knows I love my hair and make up done about as much as I love a stubbed toe.

We spend hours getting ready, between laughing, singing our favorite songs like we are the main acts, to actually doing the hair and makeup, so it takes us the rest of the day to get ready. Not that I mind that part. It was everything I didn’t know I needed. Time with Odes always seems to make the world shine a little brighter. Something about being with your best friend, aka your soul match, really does seem to reset the world for you.

Mom calls from the kitchen, letting us know that dinner is ready, although we’ve been dying in the bedroom for the last twenty minutes smelling the herbs coming down the hall.

Arm in arm, Odes and I make our way down the hallway towards the kitchen right as there’s a knock at the door. Dad seemingly puffs out his chest before making his way towards the door. We all giggle and shake our heads watching him.

“I’ll get the door,” he says in a far deeper voice than he normally talks with.

He sucks in a deep breath, pushing his chest even further out as he swings open the front door. Caelon, bless his heart, is standing there with a beautiful bouquet of deep red roses with large, bright yellow sunflowers bound together with brown paper and twine. His hair is gelled back and he looks like he freshly shaved his face. His sage green collared shirt, free of wrinkles, hangs just above his leather belt and dark, khaki pants.

Dad continues to stand there, staring at Caelon. Caelon smiles at him before holding his hand out for a handshake.

“It’s nice to officially meet you, Mr. Calloway. I hope you don’t mind me dropping in uninvited to Selene’s birthday dinner.” His hand hovers between them, waiting for my dad to shake it.

Dad looks down at his hand and back up to Cal’s face. “What are your intentions with my daughter?”

Squealing, I run over to save Cal from my dad. Scooting around him, I glare at him over my shoulder. “That’s enough Dad.” I shake my head before taking the flowers from Cal.

“What? He’s here to steal my baby girl from me, the least he can do is answer a few questions.”

I playfully smack my dad on the shoulder before Cal leans in and kisses my cheek.