Page 28 of The Dragon’s Stone Hearted Mate (Mori’s Mementos #1)
Morvan
Camp Air hadn’t changed at all except for one thing.
The spot where Rho had stood since the camp’s inception was bare.
I invited him to come with me, but he thought it would be good for Cutter and me to have some time to hang out alone.
Crilus and Mori were going to take him to the house that had once been my home.
As peaceful as Moonglow Cabin was we didn’t technically need it.
My childhood home stood untouched by all the bullshit that kept chasing me around since Torvan’s tantrum.
“Morvan!” Cutter waved to me from a spot by the bonfire.
It was night and he was roasting the biggest marshmallow I’d ever laid eyes on.
I took up a spot on the log beside him, wondering how I’d invite him to live with Rho and I without sounding like a creep.
Single omegas were still hit on and made unsavory offers on the daily and I didn’t want any part in that.
“Rho told you, huh?” he asked without looking away from the fire.
“Told me what?” I asked.
“Oh, he didn’t. I thought he would. True-mates and all that. The claiming vows didn’t show you either when you bit him? That’s a bit strange. Though, I guess he had plenty of his own stuff to show off.”
“Cutter, what are you talking about?” I asked, furrowing my brow. “Did something happen?”
“A long time ago,” he nodded. “I almost told you while we were in line but you were so determined that life was pointless that I didn’t want to make you feel like it really was.”
“Are you sick or something?” I asked.
“No,” Cutter shook his head. “Morvan,” he glanced around trying to find a place to rest his marshmallow and settled for chowing down on it before speaking. The gears behind his eyes turned as he chewed his treat, savoring the burnt sugar melting on his tongue. “Morvan, did you not figure it out?”
“Figure what out?” I shot the question back. “Dude, you’re starting to freak me out.”
“A lot of people are afraid of me. Morvan, I’m dead.
I’ve been dead for a long time. I’m just stuck.
I didn’t lie about anything. I did leave my home world after my alpha killed himself.
Only, I left out the part that he did that because the war-caused famine killed me.
It would’ve taken him too. He should’ve left the world alive but he wouldn’t leave me there.
He didn’t know I lingered. He couldn’t bring himself to leave the memories of me behind.
So, now, he’s wherever and I can’t move on.
My therapist – yes, that’s real too, thought coming here might help me grieve whatever to move on.
The ghosts attack me because I killed them in a battle and I’m a ghost too.
I’m just a different sort of ghost and no one knows why.
Mori’s been back to speak with me, but he sort of scares me.
And thank you for wanting to help carry my pack,” he said, reaching over his shoulder to pat it, “but truth be told it doesn’t come off me for very long.
I’m not even positive about what’s in it most of the time.
It changes and stuff. I wouldn’t have told you at all, but Rho is in a weird spot because he knows.
Only he knows because the rocks told him and rocks know everything,” Cutter sighed.
I nodded and let his words sink into my skull.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to be my friend anymore. I understand that death gives you a lot of anxiety,” Cutter said, pulling another marshmallow out of the bag by his feet.
“I was going to invite you to come stay with us. Now inviting you seems cruel since you’re stuck.”
“I’m stuck not going to the place dead people are supposed to. I talked to the elves, and they said they believe I can go to Earthside. So, if you want me haunting your house, I’ll go.”
“Maybe not until after Mori cleanses it. I don’t want that negativity affecting you.”
“You’re so protective. It’s cute in an old man way,” Cutter laughed.
“Old? Am I old to you?”
“Maybe,” he shrugged. “I meant it in a way that means I’m not hitting on you and that I appreciate you wanting me to be safe. Safe is a hard thing for me. Oh! Look at me being all dead and rude!” he laughed, picking up the marshmallow bag and offering it to me. I took one out and found a stick.
As I watched the fire, I wondered if being here to help others was enough to make the chaos of life worth it.
Maybe that was the only thing worth it. At least for me.
Not everyone started out with a wing up like Torvan and I had and it didn’t seem right not to pitch in where I could.
It wasn’t always financial support people needed.
Sometimes, they just needed you to roast marshmallows and agree that they could have a scratching wall in the bedroom at the house you agreed to let them haunt.