Lib Novel Page 27
What he’s saying sounds idealistic, and I just look away. He sees the good side of it all, but I see a kind of imprisonment I will never be able to escape.
“The kind of love you receive from a fated mate is beautiful.” Drew sits down, his eyes on me. “It’s supposed to be different than with other mated couples. There is a deeper link between fated mates.”
“So, it’s all unicorns and rainbows.” I shrug. “But how do I even know that someone is my fated mate?”
“Constant awareness.” Drew has an exasperated look on his face. “Sophia, finding your fated mate is a good thing. But if you want to know how you can be sure, I only know of one small clue. As encounters increase, the spot where shifters receive the mating mark starts to feel uncomfortable.”
He pushes the books toward me. “Take these. They might help. You keep telling me to put myself out there when you’re the one who should be dating. You’re twenty-five, Sophia. You should be out breaking some hearts.”
My lips curve into a smile at his words. Imagining myself breaking somebody’s heart is the most ludicrous idea ever.
I pick up one of the books and look at the back cover. “You think romance books will help me.”
“I think,” Drew says quietly, “that you need to stop fighting your instincts. Just because everyone has failed you so far doesn’t mean that the people who come into your life now will do the same.”
I look up, ready to say something, but from the look in his eyes, I can see that he’s not only talking about me anymore.
Drew has his own demons to battle, just like I have mine.
I give him a small smile and raise my wine glass. “Let’s toast. To good friends.”
He lifts his glass, and as we clink them, I think of the mask in my hoodie pocket.
My situation is way more complicated than Drew could ever understand.
Chapter 6
Sophia Hope
There is something about sitting on a log on a quiet beach with gray clouds blooming in the distance. I have the entire place to myself today, and it feels oddly therapeutic. With a book in my hand, I’m skimming the pages, my eyes constantly lifting toward the ocean. The waves are playful today, teasing the shoreline. My jeans are rolled up to my knees, my legs still drying from a walk along the coast.
I hadn’t really intended to read the books that Drew gave me, but curiosity got the best of me. Now that I think about it, I don’t really have a hobby except for going on long walks by myself.
I’m already on chapter two of this novel, and it’s like diving into another world. I don’t remember the last time I picked up a book, but I’m glad I did now.
I don’t have to go to work until late today, so I plan to spend the entirety of my free time sitting here. The picnic basket next to me is filled with sandwiches and drinks and whatever else I could buy at the bakery as soon as the doors opened.
The breeze feels nice against my face, my loose braid resting on my shoulder. I opted for jeans and a sleeveless shirt this morning, and I’m kind of regretting my choices. My legs feel cold after my little stroll on the beach.
Nobody is around at this time of day, so when I look up, my eyes scanning the shoreline in a casual manner, I’m surprised to see a figure walking in the shallow water.
The person is too far away for me to see their face. What are they doing? The ocean is still excruciatingly cold this time of year. Even I didn’t linger in the water for very long, the iciness too harsh to bear.
I pick up my cup of coffee and take a sip, my eyes still on the figure down the beach. In a few more minutes, if they look to the side, I’m pretty sure they’ll notice me.
But it seems that they also want to be left alone, so I just shrug and turn my attention back to the book. Nobody goes for a walk on an empty beach unless they want to be by themselves.
I’ve just started getting engrossed in the novel when a shadow falls over me. Irritated, I look up. “Do you mi—?” My words are cut off as I realize who it is, who is standing in front of me. “You!”
Alex is looking down at me. “What are you doing out here? It’s quite chilly.”
I tilt my head to one side. “Is it? Thank you for telling me. Here I was, trying to enjoy a quiet moment by myself.”
He moves away, and just as I think he’s going to leave, he comes around and sits down next to me on the log.
I gave him a dry look. “By all means. Do sit down.”
Is this man following me? Why does he keep popping up everywhere? I’ve barely gotten over the events from the other night. I’ve never felt more relieved than when he didn’t manage to link me to the Wily Vixen.