Page 7

7

THORIN

I ’m juggling my keys, cell phone, and laptop as I walk into Poe’s shop, distracted by a spiking sense of anxiety across our bond. Poe explained that avians have higher anxiety levels and that he’s working with his mom to figure out how to control what is shared, but I made sure he knows I don't mind.

I like being the person to soothe his ruffled feathers.

In fact, I was in a rush to let him know the meetings went well, and that my team will be coming to Austin for a professional development week next month. I’m thrilled that I’ll be reunited with them shortly.

More importantly, I realized as I ended the call that I no longer questioned the wisdom of my decision to upend my life and move to, of all places, Texas. Not just because I found Poe. Not even because it enabled me to get away from Fran. This place is actually good for me. I’m maintaining the connections I made in Seattle, but now I’m starting a life that’s truly mine .

I assumed that being mated meant being shackled. I didn’t know that having the exact right person in your life is the opposite of a burden—it’s a force multiplier. Sure, I had to wrangle an erection during the entire meeting, but even with that distraction, I was more focused, more happy, more involved than I had been in a long time. My friends noted it, and now I can’t wait to tell Poe all about it.

Rushing in, I’m halfway through the shop before I recognize her voice.

“We had a small misunderstanding, Thorin and I, which I will be able to clear up with the snap of my fingers. By next week, you’ll just be a blip in his rearview.”

The color drains from Poe’s face, reminding me how poisonous Fran could be with her words. He sees me walking up to the table and I send him a wink—I know who I belong to. His shoulders relax a fraction of an inch, but not nearly enough for my satisfaction.

Unwilling to let her gaslight my mate for a second longer, I slam my things down on the closest table. Fran jumps, but then sees me and morphs into the fawning lover, sending me the smile that used to bring me to my knees. Utterly predictable.

Circling behind Poe, I place my hands on his shoulders and give the tight muscles a squeeze. Fran’s cloying smile falters.

“I understood you clearly, Fran,” I say, going in before she can manipulate the conversation any further. “There was no misunderstanding, at least not on my part. It was you who stole and then maxed out three of my credit cards. It was you who convinced my car guy to sell you a Porsche on my credit. And I’m pretty sure it was you who used one of those stolen credit cards to rent an apartment for your side dick.”

Her head twitches at a sharp angle, and she opens her mouth to—I dunno, keep lying—but I talk right over her.

“So, yeah, I’m fucking crystal clear about who you are and who he is.” I lean forward to kiss the top of Poe’s head, wondering how I ever fell for someone like her. “He’s my fated mate, and I would've never met him without your help, so thank you.”

Her mouth snaps shut at the magic words, and her chin trembles.

"Sorry, Fran," I say, not sorry in the slightest. "If I can’t fight the whims of the universe, neither can you."

"B-but... how? Your family hasn't had a fated mate in forever ."

"Just lucky, I guess." I place my hand over Poe's heart. "Speaking of forever, I’m gonna love this man for the rest of my life, and by my math, that makes you the blip in our rearview. A mistake learned from and easily forgotten.”

Her chin trembles and large crocodile tears track down her face. Goddess, it’s embarrassing to think about how often I fell for her act. Over and over again.

Not anymore.

Before she can reply, I cut her off. “I don’t know what the fuck you think you’re doing coming all the way down here, showing up like this, especially after I so generously agreed not to file charges against you. I’m well within the statute of limitations and will happily reverse course if you ever come here again. You’re not welcome in my life. And you never will be.”

Fran’s nose flares and her face turns red.

“Shit, y’all,” Miss Geraldine says, ambling into the store. “I forgot my phone.”

At the same time, Fran stands up and sweeps the jewelry display off the shelf. Shaking with rage, she picks up her chair and smashes the shelves, instantly scattering thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise. Still vibrating, she shifts into her crow form, quick as lightning, and dives toward Poe.

Before either of us can shift, a great horned owl sweeps in, capturing her in its massive claws.

“Miss Geraldine!” Poe shouts, zipping to the door in an instant and opening it for her.

Miss Geraldine flies out and releases Fran over the parking lot. With a terrified caw, Fran makes for the hills, winging her way out of our lives for good. Poe holds the door open as Miss Geraldine flies in and lands, ever so lady-like, on his extended arm.

I grab Miss Geraldine’s clothing and hand it to her. She delicately plucks her things from my hand and hops to the back room. While she changes, I take a garbage bag and shove Fran’s gaudy clothing and cheap accessories—Poe has certainly taught me the value of things—into it before tossing the bag into the dumpster behind the shop. By the time I return, Miss Geraldine is joining us in her human form, running her fingers through her thick salt-and-pepper hair .

“That crow was a cheap piece of work,” she coos, dusting herself off. “Bullshit and bad vibes.”

Poe and I fall over each other laughing and we bring Miss Geraldine in for a group hug and a free coffee. She offers to help us clean up the mess Fran left behind, but we shoo her away with a smile and another round of hugs. Poe and I need a little alone time.

She takes the hint and leaves, blowing us a kiss as she does.

Fran’s temper tantrum was more dramatic than actually destructive, thankfully. The glass shelf she broke has to be ordered special, so I go out to the local building supply shop for a sturdy piece of wood. There’s a teak piece that fits perfectly, and once everything’s in place, Poe lets out a little chortle as he puts his head on my shoulder.

“It’s nice, the glass and wood together.”

“Kind of like us, right?” I ask, kissing his temple.

He gazes into my eyes, thoughtful. “Did you mean it? Do you… do you really love me?”

“I meant every word,” I say, cupping his face, bringing him in for a soft kiss. “You are the love of my life, Poe. And you will be the love of my life for the rest of our lives. I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life. My ideas about what a fated mating could be were completely wrong. I don’t feel trapped, I feel loved. I feel settled. Happy.”

“You are, you know,” Poe says, a gentle blush tinting his cheeks. “Loved, that is.”

I pepper his pretty face with even more kisses. “I know,” I say, thumping my chest. “I can feel it right here. That’s romantic, don’t you think?”

“It’s damn romantic, if you ask me. Which is a good thing because I kind of like loving you.” He emphasizes this with another searing kiss.

Rolling my hips, I whisper against his lips, “I kind of like loving you, too. What do you say we finish cleaning up in here and I show you exactly how much I love you?”

“Sounds like a plan.”