Chapter 12 Darius
Chapter twelve
Darius
Even with those mysterious tentacle tattoos wrapped around his biceps.
Gods, last night when I heard Kaleb’s words travel down the bond, I was already an emotional wreck from my conversation with Zero and then with Kaleb’s father.
So when I heard those words, I was filled with hope and fear.
But then, after last night and earlier this morning, I realized that Fate really did know what she was doing.
I smile over at Kaleb, who is bouncing in the passenger seat, happily singing along to the remixed Christmas songs playing on the radio.
We spent the morning chatting about what our lives were like before we met.
When Stacy finally wandered into the kitchen, she confessed she was a wolfless wolf who’d been abandoned by her pack as a child.
At least my pod let me stay until I was old enough to know how to survive. Gods, I can’t imagine what it would feel like to go through that as a child. Both my mate and Stacy have been through so much, I’m happy that they found each other.
I opened up to them about my less-than-loving childhood, what it was like living in the ocean, and then eventually becoming a magical tracker for the Elite Guard. Around brunch time, I showed off some of my cooking skills while telling them about my tea shop.
When it was time to leave, Kaleb and Stacy both burst into tears, hugging each other as if they would never see each other ever again.
Honestly, it kind of broke my heart. While Kaleb was getting Cleo situated in the car, I pulled Stacy to the side and told her that if Kaleb decided to move to Heart’s Hollow, she would always have a home there, and that I had an extra room waiting for her.
More tears filled her eyes, and to my shock, she threw her arms around me as if we’d been friends for years.
When Kaleb walked in and realized what I’d offered, we had a very emotional group hug.
I never knew I could have such intense feelings for people I just met, but in that moment, my inner kraken agreed.
Kaleb and Stacy were officially ours. Our family.
Thankful words and feelings thrummed down the bond, and I knew I had made my mate extremely happy.
“We have about half an hour left on our trip, but up ahead, there is a turnoff that will take us on the scenic route. The ocean view is absolutely gorgeous, but it adds an hour onto our travel time,” I state.
“I’ve never seen the ocean in person before.”
“You what?” For a moment, I’m too shocked to speak or think. Then his words truly hit me like a slam into the chest. I glance at him quickly.
“I’ve never seen the ocean before?” he says, like he’s asking me.
I shake my head in denial. “No. No way. We have to take the scenic route.” Then I remember why we are on our way to Heart’s Hollow in the first place.
Heat floods my cheeks. “Unless, of course, you’re in a hurry to meet your family.
Gods, of course you’re in a hurry,” I say immediately before he can reply. “I feel so stupid.”
Kaleb laces his fingers with mine, bringing my knuckles up to his lips for a light kiss. “What’s one more hour? I’d love to see the ocean with you.”
My inner kraken yelps with joy, clicking and bumping up against my ribcage. I couldn’t agree more.