Her Forever
Chapter 18

Sadie

I’m not sure where I messed up tonight. I was having a great time. Really felt like I had some friends to call my own and a potential love interest? Is that how it would have been? My mind is a jumbled mess, and I don’t know where to start.

I only mentioned that if mates were real, they could hold off on relationships until they found their mates. If the Moon Goddess really paired you up, why try any other relationships? The look of horror was clear when I brought that up. First off, werewolves and mates are not real, but why the sudden expression change?

Seth’s eyes, for the first time since I met him, didn’t twinkle from the fire. I’ve said something to really hurt him, and the saddest part of it all is that I don’t know what it was.

I’m feeling crushed. It was a legend. What is the point of caring so much? Maybe they are upset that waiting for love before s*x is bad? Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I do not judge, not at all. It was just more of my own personal preference.

Was it my preference? I’ve been pretty sheltered just working and taking care of my aunt. If I had more time, would I have dated? Would I have gotten my first k**s, or possibly more? I can’t really answer these questions because I was never given the opportunity. My aunt always told me my soul mate would give me tingles, make me feel you were in the clouds whenever they were near. I just continued to wait for that.

No one has ever given me that feeling until today. I’m sure Seth has been with other girls; he is buff, sexy, and has such a bad boy vibe. If we are to be together, would I care? Honestly, it doesn’t bother me as long as he stays with me, of course. Would he stay with me, though? He seems like the perfect package, and I am just not.

We all have pasts, we all make mistakes, and who knows if you will really meet your soulmate in this lifetime? I don’t think I could really fault him if that is indeed the case. As long as he showed a love for me and only me from then on, I would be happy.

How could I not be happy? He could be my other half. Even if that stupid legend was true, and we were werewolves and had the chance to have a “mate,” I would still love him with a blazing passion.

I’d still love him, even if he was with others. It doesn’t really matter. It was just a fleeting thought. Thinking about relationships and love is stupidly annoying. I’ve never put myself out there to think about these things. Rebecca is right; I’m just oblivious.

Finally arriving back at the lake house, I take my heavy footsteps up the stairs to my temporary room for the weekend. Opening the door, I am greeted by a couple making wrestling under the sheets.

The grunts, m***s, and skins slapping together officially made my face a deep shade of red. The darkness of the room and the moonlight gracing their bodies made me realize I really need to leave. My poor virgin eyes and ears! Reading romance and smutty novels differed totally from watching something.

Before closing the door, I see teeth growing as the moon shone down on the male’s face. His eyes were glowing a bright amber, and his teeth were elongated. My breath hitched, and he whipped his head to the doorway where I was standing.

Eyes bore into mine, and fear crept up my spine. I could barely move until Rebecca ripped my arm out of my socket, and Ethan slammed the door shut.

My ear-piercing scream from the force of it popping out from my shoulder caused me to almost blackout in pain. Rebecca gently pulled me up and had me in a sitting position.

“I’m so sorry, are you alright? I didn’t mean to pull you that hard?!” Rebecca said in a panic. I hyperventilated from the shock of being thrown across the hall and seeing literal fangs and bright yellow-amber eyes at me.

I almost couldn’t speak; my mouth was hanging open in shock. My voice tried to leave my mouth, but nothing was there. Breathing continued to go faster, and I could feel my heart rate increase. What did I just see? A vampire?

Oh. My. God.

Was that a werewolf?

My eyes became heated, and tears pooled at the corners. Black spots invaded my vision, and I leaned towards the floor. Afraid I was going to pass out at any moment.

“Sadie, do not go to sleep. Wake up. Everything is fine!” Ethan yelled. The voice was fading. His face was full of worry as he continued to look at me and down the hallway. What was he looking for?

Feeling the vibrations from the footsteps on the floor, the only person I could think of was Seth. Why would I think of him now? To save me? Save me from what, exactly? I saw something, and it was downright terrifying. What about the girl inside? Is she OK?

Seth picked me up and cradled me in his arms. My spots in my vision were clearing, and I could feel myself slow my breathing. We sat there on the floor until the tears rolled down my face. I haven’t gone in to complete meltdown, but I know I was close.

Seth touched my face with his hand and whisper to me, “everything is fine now. I’m here with you. I’m not leaving. I’ll protect you.” Continuing his sweet words, my breathing and heart rate slowed.

“Sadie, I’m going to pop your shoulder back in,” Rebecca replied softly. Seth growled at Rebecca and held me back from her. I wonder if he knows she pulled my arm? “Seth, I’m sorry. I was trying to save her, and I was a bit rough. I’m sorry, please let me fix it.”

Seth looked down at me, looking for an answer. His eyes were full of worry and concern. I couldn’t help but smile and take my other arm and put my hand to his face. I nodded quickly, and before I knew it, Rebecca rammed my shoulder back into place.

Screaming at the sudden pop back into my shoulder, Seth let out a roar that silenced the entire house. The music had stopped playing, and I could hear people shuffle downstairs. Ever so gently, Seth picked me up and took me to the stairs. Rebecca and Ethan tried to follow, but Seth turned around quickly with me in his arms.

“Do not disturb us,” he said gruffly. He was holding back his anger. I could feel it within me. I grabbed his shirt to let him know I was still there. He gave me a small smile and gripped me tighter.

The walk up the stairs was silent. I leaned my head closer to his chest and immediately felt calm. Even though my arm was sore, all I could think about was being close to him. He made me feel safe and cared for. It almost made me forget what I saw.

Almost.

The black dress shirt covering his muscles was messy. In some areas, it looked ripped and shredded. What happened? I was asking myself more questions instead of getting answers. My stomach was in knots as we finally reached the double doors to his bedroom.

Seth kicked the door open with his foot and took like strides to the bed. He set me down gently and put a k**s on my forehead. I couldn’t help but smile and blush as he went back to the door to close it.

I’m a hot, giddy mess, and I just witnessed something that should freak me out. Why am I not freaking out??

“Seth?”

“Yes, love?” he came over and sat on the side of the bed next to me.

“What happened? I s-saw s-omething horrible. Eyes, teeth… he was…!” I couldn’t even describe what he was going to do. I felt the panic come back, and I lifted my hands to my face to hide.

Seth came closer and pulled my hands away. I didn’t want to look up because he was going to see me as an ugly, crying mess.

He took the pads of his thumbs as he cupped my face and wiped away my tears. He kissed the few straggling tears that had escaped my eyes.

Instantly, I was calm again, and our foreheads touched together. There was such a connection between us, and it was so hard to understand. The intensity was almost too much.

Seth finally sighed and held both of my hands. “Sadie, I didn’t want you to find out this way. In fact, I’m outraged it happened this way.” His grip tightened on my hands. “I wanted to be the one to tell you and be gentle about it. There is something that is different about the town you live in, the people who are your friends, and we are different.”

I immediately knew. I’m not an i***t. There were small signs here and there, and after the whole “werewolf legend story” and the creepy couple with teeth, it only confirmed it.

“Everyone is a werewolf?” I mumbled. He nodded.

Seth

As soon as Lela mentioned we were supposed to balance each other out, I still did not feel at ease. She was just so perfect—the light to my darkness, the lighthouse to my storm.

Caspian was getting more and more agitated the further Sadie walked away. She was upset, and I could smell her salty tears from here. Caspian, being the powerful wolf he was, tried to claw at the surface.

There were days I would be in the passenger seat while Caspian took over. Other werewolves knew this, and they knew Caspian was brutal and would punish without mercy.

Rebecca could sense Caspian and quickly came to my side. My wolf did not falter, and even Rebecca couldn’t help sedate him. We had found our mate, and nothing was going to keep him from her.

My bones broke, and Caspian half shifted. Half shifted wolves were rare, only royalty usually half shifted from the look of half man, half wolf. My nose turn to a snout, my muscles grow larger, and hair will graze our forearms and legs. I’ve only known kings being able to do this, but for whatever reason, I was blessed with Caspian.

My shirt ripped, and my jeans became tighter. Continuing to fight with him, I tried to reason.

“Caspian, wait. You will scare her! Don’t be an i***t!”

“I want, mate! WE NEED MATE! Mate is upset!”

“Stop shifting, and we will go to her! Don’t ruin this!”

Caspian calmed down as I walked toward the lake house, seeing that we were, in fact, going to our mate. That is when I felt it; I felt her fear. Usually, you cannot feel your mate’s emotions before mating and marking, but this was an extreme emotion. She was in trouble. Then I heard a scream. Her scream!

Rebecca and Ethan had already gone back to the house, letting me deal with my i***t of a wolf.

“SETH! Sadie saw two wolves about to mark! They were in her room. Get here quick!” Ethan yelled through the link.

s**t.

I wanted to tell Sadie on our own time, but now, because two idiots unlocked her door and use her room to mate. f*****g s**t! They are going to be reprimanded for this.

Using my speed, I was there quickly, and I saw Sadie lying on the floor, about to pass out. Her head was being held up by Ethan, which did not make me happy in the slightest. Rebecca looked beyond scared at me.

“I’m so sorry, Seth. The male wolf inside was going to attack her. I pulled too hard, and her arm came out of the socket.”

I said nothing. I moved Ethan out of the way and grabbed Sadie into my arms, and cradled her gently not to hurt her arm any further. Slowly, she was going in and out of consciousness. Lifting her head to me, I bent down and whispered to her. Her body relaxed, knowing that the bond was already at work.

She can feel it, and I know she can. I’m hoping that this will help her as I tell her our true identities tonight; I can’t really go around this one.

My fists balled up when Rebecca said she was going to push her arm back in. SHE caused this, she doesn’t know her own strength. Rebecca is still a young wolf, not compared to my 125 years. She really was only 20.

Caspian ran forward and took over my body, and immediately shielded Sadie from Rebecca. He has never shown reluctance tof her, but now she hurt our mate. Whether it be on purpose.

My mate’s small g****s filled the air as she nodded for Rebecca to continue. Her scream was painful for me; it made Caspian howl as it rattled our heart to see our poor mate.

I quickly scooped her up and took her to my room, making sure no one would follow us.

She looked dismayed and uptight. I didn’t feel the fear she had earlier. Sitting by her on the bed, I held her hand. A few tears escaped her face, and I gently kissed a few of them away, just to get a blush in response.

I didn’t know how to start, so I just dove into the conversation I knew we needed to have.“Sadie, I didn’t want you to find out this way. In fact, I’m irate it happened this way. I wanted to be the one to tell you and be gentle about it. There is something that is different about the town you live in, the people who are your friends, and we are different.”

My mate, being as smart as she is, spoke.

“You are all werewolves,” her voice shook in shock. I couldn’t speak. The only thing I could do was nod a terrifying yes.