Page 29 of Healing Fate

I snatched her up with one arm while Lucy reached for the coffee and Ziploc bag of filters I’d brought.

“What is this?” she asked.

I shrugged, never taking my arm from around her as the three of us walked to the kitchen as one.

“You mentioned you were out. I just bought a pack. Should last you a few weeks at least.”

She looked up at me with confusion and happiness shining through her eyes. I was trying not to read too much into it.

I smirked. “I mean, I can just bring coffee by every morning if you prefer.”

She shook her head, but there was a smile on her lips.

I stared at her lips for longer than I should have not willing to let her go just yet. I wanted to kiss her so badly, but I sensed she wasn’t ready. If it were left up to me, we’d already have sealed the bond growing between us.

I had nearly lost it when I discovered she was my true mate and thought she’d already taken another mate. Once I learned she hadn’t, then as far as I was concerned, she was mine… period, end of story.

“Ew, stinky,” Vada protested squirming in my grasp. “Doc, pooted.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Stinky poot.” She was waving her hand in front of her nose.

I sniffed the air. “I don’t smell anything.”

Lucy sniffed and her eyes went wide then she gave me a stern look and yanked Vada from my hold.

“What? I swear I didn’t.”

“I know, but you are scenting.”

“I am?”

“You’re a doctor, of shifters. You should know when you’re scenting.”

“I’ve never done it before. I don’t even know how. I’ve only studied it clinically. How can you even tell?”

Lucy blushed furiously.

“Lucy?” I asked.

“Because to me it smells good,” she blurted out.“And clearly, to Vada it does not.”

We stared at each other for a moment and then right when it should have turned awkward, we both burst out laughing.

“I’m sorry, Vada.”

Lucy motioned for me to sit while she buzzed around the kitchen. Two coffee mugs, a bowl, a box of cereal, and a sippy cup of milk later she finally sat, poured the coffee and passed me one of the mugs.

I made a mental note that she drank her coffee black. It was the tiny details that I wanted to document as I got to know her. So far everything about Lucy was perfect, maybe even a little too perfect. I couldn’t find a single fault with her. I wasn’t sure if that was the bond or just her.

If I had any complaint at all it was that she was extremely independent. I didn’t think she realized I was trying to help her. If I had come right out and said “let me bring dinner over” she probably would have told me no last night, but in a moment where her defenses were down, I was able to sneak in and care for her without setting off any alarms. This morning had been much the same.

Vada ate quietly while Lucy and I sipped our coffee. It dawned on me that it was the most peaceful and perfect morning I’d had in years.

For the first time in my entire life, I knew this was exactly where I was supposed to be.

“Thank you for this,” Lucy finally said.