Total pages in book: 203
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
My face and chest burn with emotion as I regard my reflection. The nerdy pest has finally taken the hint.
But before I move on with my life, I’ll equip him with some magic stuff that could help him protect himself, so he’s free to mate with whichever girl Fate wants him with, and then I’ll go home and move on with my life knowing I helped our council, our pack. And if it turns out he doesn’t need a magic suppression necklace or something to put him in a protective bubble after all, well… I tried.
And maybe my new life will start after my mini Italy holiday with a trip to Alaska. Dr. Blakely’s text offer today could save me from having to experience the heartache up close, from having to breathe Jase’s mating scent when it releases. From having to war with myself over how to keep myself at arm’s length from whoever he mates with.
There’s a six-to-nine-month data-driven position that Dr. Blakely thinks I’d be well suited for after a conversation he had about me with Catrina Savage. He said the SCC isn’t posting that position for a few weeks, that I should think about whether or not I want to apply. It sounds like it’s mine if I want it. I’d be in Alaska for most of it but there could be some additional travel involved as well. I’d be reporting to Dr. Blakely directly, but I don’t know a whole lot about what it’d entail.
Six months could be enough time to come to terms with life after Jase mates. Maybe. Hopefully. Though I’d probably miss out on Lincoln and Joel’s matings.
I also don’t want to miss the birth of my twin nephews either. Arcana Falls is home and I can’t imagine living anywhere else, but a short time away could be good for my soul.
It’s time to move forward. Do this, go home, go on a date with Malachi, and then maybe spend a few months up in Alaska.
Greyson will be irritated by me running off to Jason’s rescue like this without talking to anyone first, and yep, maybe my kneejerk reaction was reckless, but as much as I’m done with pining for someone who doesn’t want me, as soon as I overheard he might be in danger and could tell the witches weren’t going to do anything about it, Erica likely being told to sit this one out so Fate could handle things, every cell in my being urged me to do something. To help.
What if Fate means for Jase to get hurt? I can’t bear it. No matter he isn’t mine, no matter he doesn’t want me, he’s pack. He’s always been the kind of guy who goes out of his way to help others. Always.
It sounded like Erica wanted to do something and her sister stopped her. So, I’m doing something.
My thoughts flit back to what Stacy said. No, it’d be awful to be paired with Lincoln or Joel when everyone knows I’ve been crushing on Jase for years. I’d hate to be mated with someone carrying an obvious torch for someone else. If I do wind up with anyone, it has to be someone who would never want me to move away from my home. Someone who wants me. Who respects me at a fundamental level, and that includes respecting how important Arcana Falls is to me.
Effective the moment I return home, I’ll be doing everything I can to not only show I’m over Jase but to truly be over him. It’s time to move on. And maybe a break from home is the best way to reboot my life. Even if it means I don’t get to be around for Lincoln and Joel’s matings.
The idea of missing any of it makes me sad, though. It’s silly, but I feel like I’m supposed to be there for all of it, to welcome each girl to the pack. To the inner circle of the council alphas. Even though I’m not truly a member of that circle, just the sister of one.
When I get back to my seat, the lady beside me drops something, so I bend and retrieve it. The baby bootie. I hold it out for her. It’s super-soft and a pretty shade of yellow with the most adorable Ugg-like shape I can imagine for a tiny little foot. There’s even a sweet little button on the side.
“Here you go,” I say.
She sets it on her knee and makes small talk with me about things to do in Italy, occupying the rest of the flight while she works on the other one.
As we get ready to deplane, she hands them to me. “For you.”
“Oh, I couldn’t… I’m sure you must have been knitting them for someone special.”
“I did knit them for someone special. Your future daughter.”