Chapter Thirty-Eight
Thirty-Eight
Tegan
Excitement buzzed beneath my skin as I watched Atlas’s taillights disappear down the driveway. I felt like I was living in a dream.
There was no way this was happening to me.
I went inside and paced back and forth across my kitchen.
This was big, and I needed to talk to someone about it.
Someone who would understand.
So, I did the only thing I could think to do.
I called my mom.
“Please pick up,” I murmured to myself, waiting for her to answer.
After a few rings, she finally picked up the phone. “Hey, honey. What’s up? Everything okay? You don’t normally call me this late.” Her voice sounded rough from sleep.
Shit. It was late.
“Mom, I—I didn’t mean to wake you. I just…” There were so many thoughts and feelings swirling in my head that I didn’t even know where to begin.
“Teg, I’m your mother. You wouldn’t be calling me this late at night if there wasn’t a reason.” She used her stern maternal tone on me to bend me to her will. Moms.
I took a steadying breath. “Atlas just left. We had a pretty serious conversation tonight.”
Before I could continue, she said, “Let me guess, it was about mating?”
“How did you know?” I asked in disbelief. My mom and I were close, so she knew things between me and Atlas were serious, but I’d never mentioned mating. Not even after the whole thing with Jade when Atlas implied I could be his mate.
“I told you about my friend’s niece. Things with her and her mate moved fast. With the full moon coming up, I figured it might be on Atlas’s mind. And of course your brother went off about it to me already.” She sighed as if the very thought of the conversation she’d had with Reece exhausted her.
“He hasn’t even met Atlas, and I feel like he already hates him.” That wasn’t difficult for my brother, though. He hated everyone.
“Tegan, he doesn’t hate Atlas. He just doesn’t know him. Reece is your big brother. He’s very protective of you.” It was a fair point, but sometimes it felt like my brother just delighted in being a prick. “Listen, honey. Your brother will come around. I’m sure Atlas is wonderful.”
I felt sort of guilty for not introducing them to each other yet, but we were kind of doing things backward here.
“You don’t think it’s too soon?” I asked, worrying my lip while my mom gathered her thoughts.
“When the goddess brings two people together, she’s never wrong. What’s meant to be, will be.” I could hear the smile in her voice. My mother was always a believer in true love, even if she never found it for herself.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I thought about Atlas. His smoked-patchouli-and-sandalwood scent. The way his soft fur felt against my skin. The gravelly sound of his voice and the way it sent shivers down my spine. The thump, thump, thump of his tail wagging and those glowing yellow eyes.
I knew in my heart that this was what I wanted.
I knew in my heart that we were mates.
“You’re right, Mom.”
She laughed. “Of course I’m right, honey. I am so happy for you, and I look forward to meeting Atlas.”
“I can’t wait for you to meet him, either. Sleep tight, Mom.”
“You, too. Get some rest.”
After hanging up with my mom, I changed into one of my favorite pajama sets—one with dancing hot dogs printed all over it—and climbed into bed. Just as I was drifting off, my phone vibrated on my chest, and I about jumped out of my skin.
It was Atlas.
Atlas: Are you still awake, baby?
A sleepy smile tilted up the corners of my lips ever so slightly.
Tegan: Yesss, I’m awake, wolf daddy.
Atlas: OH GODS NO. FALLON CALLS ME THAT
I giggled and rolled onto my side, holding the glowing screen close to my face.
Tegan: Alright, we’ll stick with sir then
Atlas: I miss you already
To say I squealed would be an understatement. Gods, he was everything.
Tegan: I miss you too.
Atlas: What are you wearing right now? Send me a pic
I turned on my bedside lamp, pulled off my comforter, looked down at my pajama set, and snorted.
I hoped Atlas found dancing hot dogs sexy.
Awkwardly, I fumbled with how to hold the camera so I could get my entire body in the shot and still hit the shutter button.
When I got a decent picture, I sent it over.
Atlas: Holy shit, baby
those are some sexy jammies
Wear those the next time we have a sleepover
He was ridiculous, but I loved it.
Tegan: You should get to bed, sir. Four AM tomorrow?
Atlas: You’re right. For sure. Bright and early, baby. Sweet dreams
I held my phone tight to my chest, smiling as I reread the messages, feeling so fucking lucky that I was going to spend the rest of my life with him. The full moon couldn’t come fast enough.