Page 98 of Those That Are Lost

I’m not expecting the answer Antares gives me. “He’s my mate.”

“What?” My eyes feel like they’re bugging out my skull as I round on my sidekick.

“He’s my mate,” Antares repeats, his voice slightly faltering.

“Antares, you need to explain what you mean right now.”

“I’m Fae, remember? At least I was. The Fae can feel their mate as soon as they’re in their presence. He’s mine.”

Holy shit.

CHAPTER 38

TY

“Can you please calm down? It's been two hours,” Henry berates.

I’m pacing the length of his room as he lounges on the bed with his laptop open. I think he’s editing or some shit, but I don’t know. All I can concentrate on is the fact my mate hasn’t contacted me since she left. I can feel her at the end of the bond but it’s like the window to her mind is closed.

I knew she was going to do this. We’d practiced it. Allowed for it. And I know I can shatter it should I need to talk to her, but I don’t because I trust that she’ll reach out. Sensing for Antares too, I get nothing but calmness. Well, it’s not like a lake on a sunny day with no breeze kind of calm, but for him it’s calm.

Getting to know the feeling of each of the bonds has been easier than I thought. It’s like I’m finally accepting a part of myself. Growing up, my parents trained me to take over the pack one day. They said they’d retire from leadership once I was ready and wanted the responsibility. Packs tended to pass down generation to generation. New packs also sprang up where groups wanted to move to new areas or a matedcouple, or polycule, wished to head up their own territory. My parents’ pack was fairly large; they were well liked and respected, several of their members were mated, and many families resided here under their care, which allowed the pack to thrive. And they gave the ultimate sacrifice when the war came to these shores.

The bond I have to Henry flares, causing me to swing to face him. “What is it?”

“You!” He slams his laptop lid closed. “You’re driving me insane and ignoring me. Stop bloody pacing and occupy yourself somehow.”

“I can’t”

“Well, you can’t pace that floor for the next week.”

“What if I don’t hear her if she needs me.”

Henry levels a stare at me as he crosses his arms.

“You’re in each other's heads. I’m sure you could be concentrating on the most intricate task, or blasting the loudest music and you’d hear her if she needed you.”

I don’t answer him back. He’s right.

“Exactly. Now, either sit down and be quiet or go to your room and play with your shadows or something. I need to get this paper done.” He waves me off.

“But—” I’d insisted we be in the same room as soon as Red left in case we needed to leave quickly.

“No. I placated you on this seeing as your mate just left but I can’t do it. You’re only across the hall. We can be that far apart. You wouldn’t even have to yell and I’ll hear you.”

“Fine.” I walk across the room and yank open the door. The itching beneath my skin igniting into a fury I can barely leash. The need to go to her is an electric pull.

“And don’t bother Claire. She’s working too.”

I turn back to arch an eyebrow at him. I hadn’t thought to disturb Red’s friend, who was working in the office downstairs. She was working on a portfolio piece with ahouse she’d just finished the interior design of. She’d told us we could interrupt her if needed but unless it was an emergency to just help ourselves to whatever we wanted and that she’d be done in a couple of hours.

Why Henry would be ensuring I didn’t disturb her, I don’t have a clue.

He’s already opening his laptop again and doesn’t catch my gaze so I decide not to push him on it and close the door as I leave.

Entering my own room, I catch the faint scent of Red. Crossing the space to the bed, I pick up the jumper she’d been wearing when we’d arrived here. Lifting it to my face, I inhale deeply, soaking her smell into my body.

I thought Red would have the hardest job. But being here with nothing to do might send me insane.