Page 80 of Spellbound & Speechless
He groans. “Then I’ll be there.”
“Good.” I splash a few drops of potion against my neck, hiding the marks he’s been leaving there. It would be easy to heal them instead, but I like to remember that he marked me as his mate… just for me, for no one else to see.
Crawling back into bed with Mac would be easy, but I won’t take the simple route. We make our way downstairs. The breakfast table is as bustling as ever. Timber, Ozan, and my sisters lounge around the kitchen, with the dog quietly begging for scraps.
Even Erie is here, perched on the windowsill, watching me with a knowing look. She may be here for emotional support, but my familiar is as curious as anyone else. What a little gossip.
“Good morning.” Rowan’s eyes narrow.
Just as I thought. Not only does Rowan know me betterthan the rest, but she’s always paying attention. Oh, I wish she would stop, just for a moment.
I tuck my hair behind my ear and sit, avoiding her gaze. “Morning.”
Mac says nothing as he settles in next to me.
We’re all crammed around the table, and it feels rightto have a full table once again. There’s no longer an empty seat for our mother. Instead, Juniper sits at the head, with Ozan next to her. They hardly notice us. Their heads are ducked together as they whisper to each other, as if they’re lost in their own dimension.
Juniper will understand. She must. I’ve never known my oldest sister to be interested in love, but she seems to be changing. She’ll be able to see how Mac and I adore one another.
Mac fills his plate, and my stomach fills with butterflies.
I don’t bother with the food, picking a knife to clink against my water glass. “I have an announcement!”
Mac looks at me with wide eyes. “Why don’t we wait for everyone to eat?” His next words are whispered. “It’ll put them in a better mood.”
I lift a shoulder. “Why should we?” It’s not like the announcement is bad; it should be celebratory.
Rowan leans back in her seat, crossing her arms. Juniper turns her head to give me her attention.
It’s not until Juniper looks at me, with all her older sister wisdom, that the butterflies in my belly flap their wings with nerves rather than joy. My big sister knows love now, but will she understand me doing the mating ritual before she does? Before Maple? Before I told either of them about it?
I’m going out of order with this relationship, and I know it. The mating ritual is usually doneafterthewedding… but Aphrodite blessed us. That’s what truly matters.
“Well?” Laurel is practically bouncing in her seat. “What is it? Is it about the boutique?”
“No, no.” I swallow thickly. “It’s personal. Not business.”
“Mhm…” Rowan lifts her brows and looks away.
She knows. She must know, but how could she?
“Mac and I…” I look at him, grounding myself in his features. Even though there’s worry in his eyes, just seeing him sets me at ease. I exhale softly.
“Not pregnant.” Juniper sighs, rubbing her temples. “Please tell me you’re not pregnant.”
“No!” I giggle, shaking my head. Juniper jumping to that conclusion may be good—it makes the reality much less severe. “Mac and I… we’re fated mates. Fated and chosen.”
Laurel gasps, but other than that, there’s no verbal response. Not for several long, excruciating moments.
I look away from Mac to find Juniper staring at me.
“Are you sure?” She points the question at me rather than Mac, even though he may have more answers than I do.
“I… I wasn’t before, but I feel it now.” I swallow. “And we have Aphrodite’s blessing.”
“Then you’re fated mates? Wolf mates?” Juniper turns her glare to Mac.
His posture slumps, his confidence disintegrating under her stare. “Yes.”
