Page 83 of Spellbound & Speechless
“And I’ll be as happy when you and Ozan haveyourceremony. You’re mates too, aren’t you?”
“It’s different for us. We spent decades dancing around each other before we accepted our bond.” She lets out a puff of laughter. “And it’s different for witches overall. You’re with a werewolf.”
“I know. Thatisdifferent, but that just makes it more romantic.”
Juniper shakes her head. “If you say so.”
“Trust me. It’sperfectfor me.”
I’ve heard of fate and mates, but it was never supposed to bethisstrong. Being able to feel and sense each other is new, and I think it’s the wolf side of the connection. Of course, Juniper can’t understand it.
“Ozan finalized his divorce a year ago, you know,” Juniper mumbles.
My eyes widen. “Oh!”
“So, I wouldn’t hold your breath for our ceremony.”
I observe her quietly, tilting my head to the side. “You know what? I don’t think I’ll need to wait long.” Glancing into the other room, I spot Ozan sitting on the couch.
He watches us with a worried look as Laurel chatters away, discussing guests and flower arrangements. Rowan sits next to Laurel and shows something on her tablet.
“I see the way he looks at you,” I say, turning back to Juniper. “Aphrodite will be happy to bless your union.”
“I hope you’re right.” Juniper turns away and collectsplates from the table, piling them into the sink. “In time, I’ll be ready for that, too.”
“I usuallyamright when it comes to matters of the heart, but it’s alright to take your time. We have different paths. That’s all.”
And while I wear a face of confidence for my sister, IhopeI’m right this time, too, for both of us. We both deserve something good after facing such a loss.
Through the loss, I’ve gained so much. I’m with my sisters again, and I found true love. Juniper is right. Mom would be happy. She hassomany reasons to be happy for us.
“Juniper?” I say.
Her hands are soapy when she turns to look at me.
A big smile lights up my face. “Would you like to see the dress I’ve been designing?”
Chapter 29
Mac
The Hawthorne sisterscelebrate their good news, giggling and chattering as they gather around Aspen’s sketchbook. She won’t let me see whatever they’re looking at.
Aspen’s relief flows through our bond, but I can’t join them in their happiness. Not yet. We were worried about Juniper’s reaction, but no one knows there’s someone who will be even less approving.
My mother.
I pace along the back porch, shaking with nerves. The full moon has come and gone, but I’m struggling to keep my wolf contained. He carries all the bliss I can’t feel yet, but there’s something more underneath the joy. My wolf is as anxious as I am.
Spending my life with my mate should be exciting. It’sworthcelebrating. Most people don’t meet their mate at all.
Aspen and her sisters aren’t bringing me down. No, my mother is the final piece of the puzzle, and she won’t be happy. She still needs to know, and deserves to know, even if I don’t expect her to join the celebrations.
Not only will she think it’s too soon, but she never wanted me to have a mate. It wasn’t that she was controlling. She just didn’t want me to know the pain she went through. Even if she never put it into words, I could sense that. Now, I will know those feelings she hoped for me to avoid—I already do. There’s no way around it. Every time Aspen gets hurt, the pain is my own.
My hands shake, and my eyes are closed as I wait for my mom to answer the call. I’ve been staying in touch with her while in Starbrook, mainly to keep her updated on my mission, and I know the call won’t be what she’s expecting.
The last time we talked about it, I promised to stay away from Aspen—away from my mate. It felt like an easy oath to make at the time, but what was even easier was getting wrapped up in our bond. It’s too strong now. I couldn’t cut it off if I tried.
