Page 101 of Midnight Moon
The gnawing in my stomach swelled just thinking about it.
“I can’t give up my future,” I told her.
“What if you don’t have to?”
“What do you mean?”
“Females usually join their mate’s packs, but most females aren’t slated to become alpha. You and Asher could do things differently.”
My eyes widened. “Are you saying…” I couldn’t even get the words out.
They were too preposterous to consider.
But Stephanie had no problem saying the words, “Asher could joinourpack.”
I released a short, incredulous laugh. “Absolutely not. He would never do that.”
Males dominated shifter society. No male would give up his ties to his pack for a female, not even a female he shared a fated mate bond with.
“How can you be sure? Have you asked him?”
“Of course not.”
“Why not?” She pressed.
“Because we both agreed to go our separate ways after the games.”
“Did he? Or was he simply going along with whatyouwanted?”
My budding objection withered on my lips.
I tried to recall the few conversations Asher and I had about our bond. Was I the one who’d insisted we go our separate ways? I wasn’t sure. So much emotion clouded those memories, it was hard to know if I remembered everything correctly.
Stephanie noted my hesitation. “Aha! Exactly. For all you know, Asher could be very willing to join the Summit Pack to be with you.”
It was impossible to ignore how her words ignited a flicker of hope in my chest, but I couldn’t let myself jump on board that easily. “You can’t know that,” I challenged. “Asher hasn’t given me any sign that he wants to accept the bond.”
“Psh, what self-respecting male would? If a female seems determined to walk away from him, why would he beg her to stay?” Stephanie’s eyes shined with triumph. She believed she had me.
But two could play that game. “Well, what self-respecting female would ask a male to stay with her when he doesn’t seem upset by her leaving?”
“Touché.” She dipped her head. “But let me ask you this, Blair. Do you want to be with Asher?”
“I… I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “I hardly know him.” It didn’t matter what the yearning in my chest wanted me to say, that was the truth.
I needed to know Asher better before I made a decision. I wouldn’t let a mystical bond run my life.
“That’s fair,” she allowed, shoving back a strand of brown hair that blew in her face. “I guess my next question has to be, do you want to get to know Asher?”
Did I?
I went with my gut. “Maybe.”
Stephanie grinned. “Then ask him on a date.”
“When?” I scoffed. “Tonight, after his match? We don’t exactly have a ton of time before we both return home.”
Stephanie wasn’t deterred by my negativity. “Ask him to visit you in Colorado. You two can get to know each other there.”
