Page 51 of Just One Bite

Chapter Forty-One

Olivia

“Hi Dad.”

I keep my voice low and lay my head on my pillow. The night is heavy as the minutes tick by on the clock above the hearth. My whole body aches even after the bath I took to calm my nerves. I move the hair from the wetness of my face.

“Hey, honey, it’s late. Are you all right?”

“Yeah … I … I think I’m going to come home. I hope that’s okay. I know I haven’t called.”

I fight to keep my voice level, tucking my hand between my knees.

Going home and keeping a distance from Parker is the best thing I can do for him.

Giving the linked mate news time to die down will make him less likely to be targeted so this doesn’t happen again.

Joining The Hunt means I’ll be marked as someone else’s mate.

Even if I never accept, it will be a public rejection of our bond.

I can’t imagine putting him through that.

“Certainly. I’d love to have you.”

“I have something to do this weekend, and then I’ll pack up my stuff. Can you pick me up?”

After stripping my bedding, I put the flat sheet back down to lie on it; it smells like him. That should make it easier to pack, but I abandoned the endeavor to sulk.

“Yeah, anything you need. But did anything happen? Is it about ballet? ”

“No. Ballet is … It’s not ballet.”

I’ll give up my spot after The Hunt. I just want this to end. Go back to Groveshire and enter into a smaller local company. I can’t watch Parker move on and … whoever I get marked by hopefully won’t follow me where I’m going. There is nothing left to think about, only to do what needs to be done.

“I don’t think I’m cut out for this here. I thought I was, but … I can’t do it anymore. I just want to come home. I’m sorry.”

“Sorry? This was your dream, honey. I’m always proud of you no matter what you do. I’m sorry Doxlothia wasn’t what you wanted it to be.”

The tears stain my pillow, sinking into the fabric. I wish my mom was here. I was so close to getting everything I always wanted.

“I really thought I could make everyone proud. But none of it matters anymore.”

I finally understand why he did it, why my father gave up everything after she died. Because without Parker, I don’t care about a spot in the IBCE. I’m doing exactly what my father did except it’s worse because he had a better excuse for giving up than I do.

It’s better for everyone if I just disappear back to my old life.

“Is this about Parker Owens?”

I sniffle; his name alone is enough to wet my eyes.

The council wanted me to play this game, and maybe it’s the bond …

Or maybe it’s the fact I’m hurting Parker.

I just don’t have it in me to play. I wanted to dance.

That’s all I wanted to do, and now I can’t enjoy what I love here at Doxlothia without him.

“You’re in all the papers. I wanted to come see you and meet him, but I knew you probably didn’t want to talk to me about it …

I mean, wow. You have a linked mate. I can hardly believe it.

One of your mother’s distant ancestors was a linked mate.

That’s where you get the eyes from. Lucky. They always said our family was lucky.”

“You never told me that.”

“There’s never been a human pairing for a linked mate before. I never imagined one of you girls would have one. Maybe with your eye color I should have known.”

“It’s over,” I say. “He … he won’t want to talk to me anymore.”

“Oh, honey. I’m sorry.”

“Doesn’t matter.” I feel more tears coming, so I squeeze the bridge of my nose.

“Your mother … gosh she loved you so much. She knew you girls were going to shake things up in Vviveren … that’s why she wanted you to attend Doxlothia.”

I sit up in bed, wiping my cheek. “She … wanted us to attend?”

He sighs and I hear a cup being set on our dining table with the faint sound of the records he loves to play in the background.

“You attending the school was your mother’s dying wish. I read it in her will, and … I fought it for a long time, knowing you girls would have to navigate out in the world, especially after how we sheltered you.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“She wanted you to choose what you wanted, and I wanted that for you too. I enrolled you, not knowing if you’d reject the offer or not.

I had to trust Doxlothia was the safest university out there for you anyway.

I didn’t want to sway you. I wanted you girls to choose your own paths.

And she knew the only way I’d ever let you girls out of my sight was that school.

I’m sorry I kept you close to my heart for so long. ”

His voice breaks on the other end, and another tear rolls down my cheek, but this one doesn’t sting as much. My dad’s fear was always mine. I understand him more than I ever have. He pushed me away because he was afraid and simultaneously refused to let us go.

“It’s okay, Dad. I understand.”

“It will be good to see you. Get some sleep. And honey?”

“Yeah?”

“Maybe it’s not over.”