Chapter 15
Sunny loved the way it felt to be in Seneca’s arms. He was so strong. Not just physically, but emotionally. She always felt so safe with him.
She leaned back and smiled at him. “I’m going to help Fallon get settled in.”
“Sure thing, sweetheart. I’m going to check in with the alphas. I know they’re discussing the situation with Fallon and the prowl.”
He gave her a kiss and slowly released her, like he couldn’t stand not holding her. And she felt the same way. He left the house and her tigress let out a sigh. What a sexy male.
Turning her attention to her bestie, she walked down the short hall and knocked on the door to the spare bedroom.
“You okay?” she asked, opening the door.
Fallon was sitting on the futon with her bag next to her, looking lost.
“Yeah.”
“Liar.”
Fallon chuckled and tears shone in her eyes.
“I’m just so tired.” She rubbed her eyes and wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“I haven’t slept well since you had to leave the prowl because I was worried about you, and then once I got here, I haven’t been able to rest either. I don’t know if I’ll feel safe, ever.”
“You’re safe here,” Sunny said, sitting down and putting her arm around her.
“You’re literally underground. There are so many security doors between the surface and here, and the sleuth has lots of protective bears in it, no one is going to mess with you.
Not to mention the other shifters in the park.
Can you imagine a jaguar tangling with an elephant or a gorilla? ”
Fallon half smiled. “What if Dario won’t let me go? He’s relying on the alliance to keep himself in power. He bartered me for his own protection, basically.”
“Because he’s an ass.”
“Yeah, but he still did it. Alphas can do what they want to their people.”
“True. But he’s not your alpha anymore. You left, that’s as good as being exiled. And he won’t find you.”
“Okay, maybe I believe that he can’t find me, but what if he hurts Mom to try to get me to come to him?
Or you? What if I brought danger right to the doors of your happily ever after?
” She pressed the heels of her palms to her eyes and shivered.
“I should just give myself up so that you and Mom are safe.”
Her tigress snarled. “Absolutely not.”
“I couldn’t stand it if you or Mom, or any of the shifters here, got hurt because of me. It would be easier if I just walked away and did what Dario wanted. Maybe…Otto isn’t such a bad guy.”
“You know that couldn’t possibly be true.
He’s taking an arranged mating in exchange for not attacking the prowl after the change of leadership.
A good male wouldn’t agree to a mate who doesn’t want him.
So listen, we can’t control what Dario or this Otto guy do, but you know that your mom is a strong, fierce, and capable female.
We just have to trust that she’s safe. We can’t go running to rescue her, but she’s not a damsel in distress.
I hope she’ll be able to get away from Dario and come to us for safety, but in the meantime, we’ll just have to trust that she can take care of herself. Okay?”
Fallon looked like she wanted to argue, but she just nodded.
“Good. Now I have an idea. Let’s watch a movie. Something light and fun. I’ll make snacks and you pick the movie out. Come on.”
She stood and waited until Fallon got to her feet. “That sounds really good, actually.”
Out in the family room, Sunny turned on the TV and handed the remote to Fallon so she could choose a movie from one of the streaming services the park offered to the residents. Then she headed into the kitchen to find snacks.
In one of the cabinets, she found microwave popcorn and a package of peanut butter sandwich cookies. While the popcorn popped, she filled glasses with iced tea and put the cookies on a tray.
She set the tray on the coffee table and put the bowl of popcorn between the two of them on the couch.
“Remember when we used to do movie nights on Saturday?” Sunny asked, tossing a few pieces of popcorn into her mouth.
“Yeah. Mom always made sure we had soda and snacks. The time before I was able to shift and you couldn’t were my favorite. I always hated never being able to be in my shift with you.”
“I hated it too, trust me.”
Fallon nodded. “I found a movie. How’s this one?”
Sunny looked at the TV. “Perfect.”
The movie started and they settled back into the plush couch.
“The park’s different,” Fallon said, grabbing a handful of popcorn.
“From the prowl? Hell yes. The sleuth is so welcoming. There’s two human soulmates and they’re part of the sleuth as if they can shift.
Seneca didn’t think twice when he found out I couldn’t shift.
I never thought I’d get a soulmate because I can’t shift.
My tigress is more prominent around him, and sometimes I feel like I could shift, but I won’t ever.
For the first time since I was a teenager, I feel like I belong somewhere. ”
“I’m so glad you found him. He’s really great. Very protective.”
“I think so too.” She glanced at her friend.
“The moment I got to the park, I knew it was where I belonged. Like I could feel it in my bones. I know it’s because Seneca is here and fate brought us together.
Maybe your fate is here too, and you’ll find your happily ever after. You really deserve it.”
Fallon shared that she felt more like she was doomed, cursed in some way to never be happy. That she wasn’t sure she’d get a soulmate, or that a male worthwhile would even want to be with her because of everything going on.
Sunny knew that someday Fallon would find her soulmate and he’d be the perfect guy for her.
“Someday you’ll find him,” Sunny said. “Happily ever afters are for everyone.”
* * *
About halfway through the movie, Sunny realized Fallon was asleep. She got up and grabbed a blanket from a storage ottoman and laid it gently over her friend.
“I promise you’re safe here,” she whispered.
Quietly, she left the house, shutting the door behind her. She sent a text to Seneca. Fallon is asleep on the couch. I miss you!
He replied a moment later. I miss you too, sweetheart. I’ll come get you.
She smiled and walked toward the door leading out to the hall and waited for him.
It was peaceful in the private living area.
The overhead lights were off and there were tiny lights near the floor that lent a soft, twilight illumination to the space.
The homes of the sleuth were mostly dark save for some having lights on.
It was after eleven, but she was wide awake and ready to spend some time with her soulmate, especially after the stressful evening they’d had.
Just being around him made her feel like everything was going to be okay. With Fallon, with Sera…everything. He was magic, a balm to her stormy soul.
And she loved him dearly.