Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
“Cassidy once told me that she likes the visions, even if they’re not always good,” said Eli. “But when she reaches Ally’s age and has foreseen dozens upon dozens of bad things happen—some of which she wasn’t able to prevent happening in real life—Cassidy might feel differently.”
Eli had never envied either female their ability to foresee the future. Especially since their visions never felt like visions. To them, it seemed real; they truly thought those things were happening. Ally had once seen Shaya die in a vision, and she’d believed it to be true right up until she snapped out of the vision.
Zander tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “Have you told Casey about this meeting with Ignacio?”
“No, because she’d insist on coming along. I don’t want him near her. I saw the way he was with her last night, Z. He enjoyed playing with her—I’m not going to give him another chance at it.”
“I don’t blame you, but she’s not going to like that you went without her.”
“No, she won’t. She’ll be pissed at me. But better that than she’s in the general vicinity of someone who wishes her harm. She can handle him. I just don’t want her to have to.”
Zander flicked up a brow. “Does that mean she can handle you, too? You’re not an easygoing wolf.”
The corner of Eli’s mouth canted up. “Oh, yeah, she can deal with me just fine. There’s so much grit and fire in her.”
“She’s your match.”
Eli nodded. “Yeah.”
“Nothing like Jen, then?”
Eli almost did a double-take. Fuck, that came out of left field. People rarely mentioned Jen. It wasn’t that she was a no-go subject, it was just that he and his family had different opinions about why Eli’s relationship with her had ended. He felt to blame for the fuckup. His family felt that the blame belonged solely to her.
Forcing a nonchalant shrug, Eli said, “We weren’t what the other needed. I was too much for her.” Even at the age of eighteen he’d been pushy, demanding, and overprotective. “I drove her away.”
Jen hadn’t been as strong-willed as Casey, but she’d had spine. She’d stood up to him, she’d pushed back when he pushed too hard. Until she didn’t. Little by little, the fight had started to leave her. She’d become someone who rarely questioned him, let alone defied him. And then she’d walked away, claiming he’d “broken” something in her.
Really, he hadn’t thought of her much over the years until Jesse brought Harley to their pack. The margay not only bore a resemblance to her, she was just as musically talented.
“I never met Jen, so I can only go on what Nick told me,” said Zander. “I happen to agree with him; I don’t think you were too much for her or that you drove her away. I think she just wasn’t the person she showed you in the beginning and that she gave up on you because, despite being a dominant female, she was mentally weak. She tossed the blame at your feet because she didn’t want to admit to that weakness.”
Twisting his mouth, Eli turned his gaze to the window. For a long time, he’d been convinced that he’d crushed the spine, and it had fucked with his head in a major way. But looking back, he had to wonder if his family was right. Had to wonder if she’d simply showed Eli the defiance and spunk that she’d thought he wanted in a female. Maybe, in truth, she’d always been a more pliant, easygoing personality.
At this point, he didn’t see that it mattered much to either of them anymore. She was happily mated with kids now, and Eli had finally found the female he’d been waiting decades for—all was well in both his and Jen’s worlds.
“So, you recognized Casey as yours at first glance?” asked Zander.
Thankful for the change of subject, Eli replied, “It wasn’t so much at first glance, though I think my wolf did recognize her instantly. When I was up close to her and our eyes met … then I knew.”
“It took me a little while to realize Gwen was mine. What’s it like? The feeling of recognizing your mate that quickly, I mean.”
Eli blew out a breath. “She slammed into my consciousness like a fucking freight train. My mind, soul, and body reached for her. The mating urge took hold, I claimed her, the bond formed … and then it was like everything just clicked into place.”
“Is it weird having such a strong connection to someone you don’t know?”
“Not at all. I might not know everything about her, but she doesn’t feel like a stranger. How could she? She’s part of me.”
“Well, I’m happy for you. I’m just hoping it doesn’t dredge up bad shit for Shaya and Nick.”
Eli frowned. “What bad shit?”