Chapter 14
Chapter
Fourteen
Shae’s List of Life Goals
8. Visit Japan someday and fulfill all my nerdiest fantasies from childhood, including a visit to the Studio Ghibli museum!
(Addendum: See if Griffin maybe wants to go with me. As friends.)
Shae
A fine spray of the sea mist brushes against my face from where I stand on the deck of the small ferry taking Griffin and me to the Silverstorm Island, where my grandmother and the rest of the sept live.
As I’d predicted, Griffin was happier than a puppy with a new toy when I invited him to join me for a weeklong visit with my mother’s sept.
We had spent a couple of days taking care of things at the compound before leaving, and Wolf Boy was practically bouncing off the walls from his eagerness.
“It’s our first romantic getaway together!” he’d told me at regular intervals, big cartoon hearts in his eyes.
Not sure how he thought visiting my family and dealing with my trauma is a romantic vacation, but I couldn’t seem to say anything that would disillusion him. I swear, he disables my snark button more and more.
Consequently, I simply kept humoring him until our departure with a well-placed, “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever, weirdo,” whenever he brought it up.
He wasn’t fazed in the least.
While Griffin wrapped up some things with the team, I packed what little I had and met with my therapist, who agreed that this short trip was a good idea. I also had a follow-up exam with the doctor I saw when I first escaped and he signed off on me being healthy enough to travel.
Swimming in the ocean every day seems to have revived and strengthened me in the last few weeks. There’s still so much I don’t know about my siren heritage, but I’m looking forward to talking with my grandmother and aunt and learning more.
My mother had been reluctant to tell me too much, especially within my father’s hearing, when I was young. However, she’d always promised to share more as I got older.
But that never happened.
I’m still struggling to wrap my head around the notion that she could still be alive and out there somewhere. No doubt suffering like I had.
Honestly, I’m hoping this trip away will help get my mind off some of my anxiety about her situation. The investigation on MEOW Squad’s end is going slowly, but Cal and Dallas have been spending a lot of late nights working in the compound’s state-of-the-art computer lab. Meanwhile, Harper has been consulting with various contacts so much that I’ve hardly seen him more than in passing. Even Ruby and Emma have been doing what they can, reaching out to other healers and Potion Masters in LA who might know something.
Everyone’s dedication to helping me and my mother is so heartwarming that it makes me a bit uncomfortable. I recognize my burgeoning affection for the entire MEOW Squad and I have no idea what to do about it. When it comes to these kinds of emotions, ones I’ve closed off for so long, I’m at a loss.
Needless to say, I’m awkward as fuck, like a nerdy loner character in an anime. Ugh.
The team’s hard work is paying off as they slowly unfurl an ever-growing web of secrets that my father and stepmonster have been spinning for well over a decade. It’s clear Margaret is the brains behind everything, but Bryce is fully involved at every level.
However, as Harper and I suspected, they’ve been very careful about covering their tracks, so it’s taking time to unearth critical details.
It’s frustrating, but there’s not a lot I can do to assist anyone right now. I don’t have any particular talents or expertise apart from being able to sing, which won’t help us at the moment.
At the same time, everyone’s still being hyper-vigilant about my safety, especially since Cal and Dallas discovered that Emma’s apartment had been broken into and thoroughly searched. Harper’s network of contacts around the city have been keeping tabs on a slew of private investigators and less savory individuals combing LA for me. Apparently, my father and Margaret are getting more and more desperate to find me and have actually escalated their efforts. I’m sure they’re facing pressure from a number of their business partners by now, particularly regarding deals they’ve negotiated for Bella’s music career.
Speaking of . My wicked stepsister seems to have been keeping out of sight of the paparazzi. The official statement from her management—aka Margaret—is that she’s taking time off for undisclosed health reasons. Every time I see a story about it pop up on the cell phone Dallas procured for me, I can’t help but cackle with evil laughter.
Serves Bitchface Bella right.
I can just imagine how irate they all are. But my spoiled stepsister is probably losing her fucking mind because the fame she loves would disappear if the truth about her was ever exposed.
Is it wrong that I seriously can’t wait for the day that happens?
Dallas had told me that this little trip I’m taking couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. Getting me as far away from the reach of Margaret and her network of people is for the best right now.
While I don’t love feeling so helpless in this situation, I appreciate how important my well-being is to him and the rest of the team. Even though I haven’t known him long, I already understand why all of MEOW Squad loves and respects Dallas so much.
Although I haven’t actually addressed him as Papa Bear to his face, I can’t deny that I’ve started thinking of him that way in my mind. The silly nickname is perfect for him.
I’m sort of surprised that a man like Dallas doesn’t have a partner, but Griffin’s explained that Bearkin also have fated mates, and that Dallas just hasn’t found his yet. Given his unusual but stupidly cute obsession with all things feline and nature, I just hope for his sake he ends up bonding with a cat-lover.
“This is so cool,” Griffin says, jarring me from my thoughts. Pressed up against my side, his whole body vibrating with obvious excitement, he leans his elbows on the ship’s railing as he looks out toward the island that’s getting closer with each passing moment.
I don’t bother stepping away to put any distance between us. For one, I don’t really want to—I’ve come to enjoy his solid presence at my side and I need that now more than ever. Also, Griffin has eroded most of my grumpy defenses. Damn Cal, but he was totally right. Who wouldn’t succumb to Griffin’s KO cuteness combo of puppy-dog eyes, big fluffy ears, and overly expressive tail?
I reach up and pet Haku on my shoulder. He too is shivering with anticipation. I can tell this is as much an important homecoming for him as it is for me.
Haku more than deserves a vacation and time with his family. Without him, I don’t think I would have stayed alive and sane for this long. I’m happy I can give him this visit, even if it’s far from adequate repayment for his steadfast support and companionship during the hardest years of my life.
Yet, strangely, even Haku isn’t able to make me feel the same kind of peace and comfort that Griffin does.
I heave a heavy mental sigh because I suspect a big part of this is that pesky magical fated-mate bond I’ve been so reluctant to acknowledge. But the evidence of our connection just continues to grow day by day, and my worries have started to fade away the more I get to know Griffin.
Coral was right. My father is a weak man. Perhaps he could have been someone or something better if he’d accepted the bond. Instead, he allowed himself to become steeped in irrational fear and hatred.
What a fucking loser.
I don’t want to be like that.
And Griffin is nothing like my father. He’s more purehearted and honest in his feelings and thoughts than anyone I’ve ever met. He’s also always unapologetically himself. I have to admire that.
Yes, he’s a big goofball golden retriever of a guy, who’s far too attractive and tempting for his own good, but he’s also a genuinely good person.
Lately, I find myself wanting to learn more about him.
I frown as I stare ahead at our destination. Griffin’s discovered so much about me and my past, but I know next to nothing about him. He’s occasionally made offhand comments that have raised questions in my mind. Despite his happy-go-lucky persona, I get the impression that life hasn’t always been so kind to him.
There’s so much I want to ask him about, but I don’t have a fucking clue how to do it. I’ve never been in a relationship with anyone before. I was nothing more than a tool for my human family to use, and when they had no need of me, I was locked away from the world.
Now, at twenty-five, it feels all kinds of ridiculous to have no idea what the fuck to do with a sexy man who wants me. I’ve had a few flickers of lust recently, but my dick remains dormant. My therapist assures me this is natural and I just need to give myself time.
In any case, I intend to get some of the answers that I want during this week away.
I think this trip will be a good thing for Griffin and me. We can spend time together and get to know each other better. And—just maybe—see if this bond between us is the real deal.
I won’t ignore my grandmother’s warning. She’s right. I need to make a decision soon and be prepared for the consequences, good or bad.
If nothing else, Griffin deserves that.
The dock comes into view and the ferry slows down. A small welcoming party of just my grandmother and aunt waits for us. Griffin offers to carry our bags as we disembark and I let him. Doing little things for me makes him weirdly happy, and I’m finally learning to accept it.
It’s not like we’ve brought a whole lot with us either. I don’t exactly have a lot of worldly possessions, after all. Our bags contain just a few changes of clothing and some toiletries, which should get us by for a weeklong visit.
Once we are fully on the dock, Coral comes up and embraces me in a tight but brief hug. “Thank you for coming, my child. Welcome to Silverstorm Island.” She turns to Griffin. “We welcome you, as well, Griffin McIntyre, mate of my grandson.”
I sigh but don’t protest.
Griffin’s tail wags enthusiastically and his ears are pointing straight up. The huge, beaming smile on his face reflects his obvious pleasure. “Thanks so much for letting me come with Shae. Can I call you Grandma Coral?”
She blinks at him in surprise and then throws her head back with a laugh. “Ha! I like that. Yes, you may.”
Griffin drops our bags and pulls her into a big hug, lifting her up until her feet dangle in the air. “Thanks, Grandma Coral!”
When he sets her back down, my grandmother has a rather bewildered expression on her face. She blinks at me. “Your mate is quite… enthusiastic.”
I roll my eyes. “That’s one way to describe Griffin.”
Coral and Anemone lead the way with Griffin chatting enthusiastically. Bemused, I overhear him ask my aunt if he can call her Aunt Anemone as I trail behind them.
Oh god, he’s totally turning this into a boyfriend meeting the family situation.
“Hurry! Hurry, Master Shae!” Haku demands, his head bobbing in anticipation.
The moment I leave the dock and set foot on land, a jolt of magical energy races from the soles of my feet all the way to the top of my head. It’s so damn powerful that I can’t hold back a gasp.
My grandmother turns back. “Ah, yes. The magic of Silverstorm Island acknowledges you as one of our own. While you’re here, you’ll experience a stronger connection to some of your powers than you may have before.”
Thankfully, the intensity of the magic begins to fade to a pleasant hum thrumming through my body as we continue to make our way toward my grandmother’s house. The island’s small enough there don’t seem to be many vehicles here. We pass by several residents on bicycles during the short fifteen-minute walk from the dock and up a steep road to my grandmother’s house.
The large Mediterranean-style villa with white stucco walls and a red clay-tiled roof is nestled on a hillside overlooking the sea, and I take a moment to admire the view. Despite its enormous size, the villa—which is surrounded by lush plants and colorful flowers—has a bright and welcoming vibe that puts me at ease.
Passing through an open archway, we enter a beautiful, tiled courtyard with a bubbling fountain in its center. It’s a tranquil setting that further calms something deep inside me.
My grandmother leads us through the courtyard to the guest room where we’ll be staying. “I’m sure you’ll both be very comfortable here,” Coral says before giving Griffin a wink.
I arch an eyebrow at her as if to say, I know what you’re doing , but she simply gives me a mysterious smirk.
The space is airy and bright, and decorated in a soothing oceanic theme with blues and whites and the occasional accent of green. A huge bed dominates the center of the room, but I ignore it and move to the French doors that open to a balcony looking out over the ocean.
Griffin throws himself on said bed and rolls around with joyful abandon, making his adorable “Awoo” of happiness.
The rest of us dissolve into laughter while Griffin flashes us a goofy grin that exposes his canines and puts his adorable dimple on display.
I’m already convinced coming here was a good idea.