Chapter 27 #2
A mix of emotions swirled inside me—a blend of disbelief, fear, and an inexplicable sense of connection. This revelation changed everything. Yet, I realized it also changed nothing. I was still Erin, and he was still Ashton, regardless of any curse or claim of fate.
"Okay…" I whispered, unsure of everything but willing to listen, to try to understand this magical world that had suddenly become my own.
I took a slow sip of the tea, feeling its warmth trickle down my throat, providing a small measure of comfort amidst the chaos of my thoughts. "What does it mean to be your mate?" I finally asked, the words sounding foreign even to my own ears.
Ashton set his cup down, his hands resting on the kitchen table, fingers laced together.
"Fated mates are destined for one another.
When dragons claim their mates, it's...permanent.
The bond between mates run deeper than anything else.
An alpha has to find his mate first." He chuckled.
"We actually never considered ourselves a full clan, because we're really just a family of friends.
Now that I've met you, it means I'm their alpha.
Something Skye says they've always known, but they sure never told me.
Once an alpha finds their fated mate, the rest of the clan always does, too. "
"Claim? How do you 'claim'?" What the actual fuck did he mean claim? That sounded awfully red-flaggy.
"Through a bite," Ashton said. "It transforms the human into something more."
Oh, yeah, no red flags there. A bite? "Transforms...into what?"
"Every human is unique. Some gain dragon abilities."
Okay, that could be cool.
"Others may develop the power to shift forms. A few could grow wings or breathe fire. There are even some who become akin to witches, and all gain immortality."
Witches and immortality. Holy fuck.
"Immortality..." The word hung in the air between us, a promise or perhaps a curse.
"Erin," Ashton was gentle, but he couldn't soften the blow. "I'm sorry for keeping this from you."
My heart felt like it was shattering into pieces.
I wasn't just learning about a hidden world—I was learning that my place within it had already been chosen without my consent.
And with a sudden clarity I realized, Ashton, too, his life had been decided for him.
I was meant to be Ashton's fated mate, and that was that, according to what?
Fate? The universe? We were both just pieces on a board, dragged into a destiny neither of us had chosen.
"Can we... Can I have some time? To think?" I whispered, barely trusting myself. My heart broke as I said the words. I was falling for him and didn't know what to do with all the new emotions that surfaced.
"Of course," he said immediately, standing up. "I'll move back to my home. Take all the time you need."
"Your sister," I said, a sudden anger flaring up. "And Skye, they're dragons too, aren't they?"
"Skye is. My mother was a witch, and Aurelia was born a witch, too. Female dragons are rare."
"Everything's been a lie." I shook my head, trying to dispel the fog of betrayal. "How could you all deceive me like this? Are they even my friends?"
"Erin, please believe me when I say we never intended to hurt you. We were protecting our truth, as well as you. Now, maybe talking to Aurelia might help you understand better."
"Understand?" I scoffed, standing abruptly. "I don't know if I can ever truly understand this."
"Please, just consider it," Ashton said, his eyes searching mine for a sign of forgiveness.
"Maybe," I said, though the idea of facing them made my stomach churn. "Just... go now, Ashton. Please." After two years of being spurred, the whole friendship, the girls' night, the sex with Ashton. It was all because he and they believed I was supposed to be some predestined mate.
What bullshit. They hadn't wanted to be my friend at all. They'd just wanted Ashton to bite me, turn me into some half-winged freak so that they could find their own people to claim and fuck.
He nodded, a look of pained acceptance crossing his face before he turned and left, leaving me alone with a million questions and a heart too heavy to bear.
I didn't know how long I'd been standing before I finally moved to sit down, my legs weak. My mind was a whirlwind, each thought colliding with another, creating a storm I couldn't escape.
"Erin?" Aurelia's voice from the other side of the door broke through the chaos. "Can we talk?"
I hesitated, then walked over and opened it. She stood there, her eyes filled with worry.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Am I okay?" The question felt absurd. "No, I'm not okay." Who would be okay after the evening I'd had?
"Please, let's sit down. I can explain some things," she said softly. "Maybe make some sense for you."
I nodded, leading her to the couch, and we sat.
"Explain then." I crossed my arms.
"First, I am sorry you're hurt," Aurelia said. "So sorry. We never wanted to deceive you. Our nature—it's not something we can freely share."
"Because I might have run off and told the world?" I said bitterly.
"Not just that," she said. "It's also for your protection. The magical world can be dangerous for humans who are unprepared."
I just stared at her. Unprepared, my ass.
"Being Ashton's mate, it's a big deal in our world. It's not taken lightly. And let's be honest. You didn't react well, and you know Ashton and care for him. Do you think the general population would just welcome shifters with open arms?"
Well. She might have had a point about that. "Great," I said flatly. "So what, I become a dragon too?"
"Only if you accept the bond," she said. "You have a choice."
"A choice that seems like no choice at all," I said.
"It's a lot to process, I know." Aurelia reached out as if to touch my hand but then pulled back. "I could also point out that you lived here and told nobody about your mob problem because it would've put you in danger."
Damn. She had another point. I had a big secret I had to keep, too.
I gave her a look that hopefully said I was listening and absorbing.
She patted my hand. "Just know we are here for you, however you need us."
"Thanks," I said, though the word felt empty.
"Take your time, Erin." Aurelia stood. "We want you to choose what's best for you. We, Skye and I, we want to be your friend, no matter what happens with my brother."
"Right." I watched her leave.
I sat back, alone again, my new reality settling around me like a shroud. I had a lot to think about.