I cracked my knuckles as I stared across the driveway at Dastien. The way he leaned against the car made my heart race.
He wasn’t even doing anything and my whole body flushed. How could that get me so riled?
“I’m not nervous about it. Dastien…” God. My face burned because I knew he’d be listening to this. “Dastien is kind of perfect for me. I’m a worrier and he’s mega calm. We have the same interests in music and dancing and whatnot. I’m not good at the fighting stuff and he’s not good at the magic stuff. It’s like we balance each other. We fit.”
I couldn’t even explain what I’d felt when I first saw him. From that moment, it was like I already knew him. I’d never felt something so strongly. And when I left him at the mall, the longing that drew me to him… I couldn’t help but hope he felt the same.
“I know it’s fast and we’re all still adjusting to everything that’s happened, but I need to do this. I think once I do, I’ll feel more settled. But right now, it’s like something could happen and I dunno. I’m nervous. I’m on edge.” The more I tried to pinpoint my feelings the more illusive they became. It wasn’t just growing up that was bothering me.
I blew out a breath. “I don’t know what to say, but I want you to trust me. It’s going to be okay.”
Dad pulled me in for a hug, and I wrapped my arms around him. Dad was always free with his hugs. He didn’t understand my visions the way Mom did, so he didn’t keep his distance. But I didn’t care anymore. Now that I finally had more control, I could relax into his embrace. “You want away from the pack, then we’ll find a way,” Dad said.
I kissed his scruffy cheek. “Thanks, Dad. But seriously, I’m going to be okay.”
He blinked, not letting tears fall. “Okay, big girl.”
Mom pulled me in for a hug next. “Te quiero mucho.”
“I love you, too.”
I turned to Axel.
“God. It’s like it’s a fucking funeral.”
“Axel!” Mom said.
“What? It’s true.” He pulled me in for a hug, too. “I love you, kiddo. Good luck tonight. And happy birthday. You finally have friends, you awkward dork.”
“I love you, too.” I shoved him away as I laughed. “I’m gonna go. Gotta get ready.”
“Don’t miss dinner next Sunday. Even if you’re tired from dancing,” Mom said.
“Will do.”
I walked to Dastien’s car, and he opened the door for me.
“Hey, Dastien,” Axel shouted.
“What?”
“Take care of my sister or I’ll be forced to kick your ass.”
I laughed. We all knew that the only way Axel was kicking Dastien’s ass was if Dastien let him.
When I looked back at Dastien, he wasn’t laughing this time. “I’ll protect her with my life.” I heard the resolve in his tone and felt it through the bond—he was making a serious promise.
“Good,” Axel said.
Were they for real having a macho handing off the little lady convo? Because that was just so…fifty years ago.
Dastien closed my door and walked around to the driver’s side.
“You ready?” he said before starting the car.
I took one last look at the house—my family standing on the porch. Dad had his arm around Mom. Axel leaned forward over the railing, resting on his forearms. It was weird. I was leaving one family for another, yet I was still part of both. It felt like I was being pulled in so many directions lately.
But I was being overly dramatic. I shook myself free of my thoughts and placed my hand on the window. “Yeah. I’m ready.” Mom lifted her hand in an answering wave.
“Nothing’s changing tonight.”
“That’s not true,” I said as I stared into Dastien’s amber eyes. “I really feel like I shouldn’t have told my cousins the truth. As soon as they left, I got this overwhelming feeling of dread. I don’t like it.”
He raised a brow. “Is it a vision? Is that what I’m feeling from you?”
That was impossible. “I don’t have visions of the future. Only past and present.”
“You could, though. Your powers are still growing. Don’t limit your perceptions.”
I rubbed my sweating palms on my shorts. “It can’t be. I just get the feeling like something’s about to change, and that it won’t be good. But that has nothing to do with how I feel about the Full Moon Ceremony. I want to be with you. I’m already in your head. It’s not like it’d change anything except the way the pack sees us.”