I hug her, looking at Dad whose eyes are practically on fire. He wants to come to her, to comfort her, but the scent of her makes it so he can’t. Because something inside him stops him from embracing a woman that doesn’t smell like his mate.
This scent-emotion connection is tugging at my heartstrings. In more ways than I want to admit at the moment because it’s teaching me things about Jase, too. Of course I knew all this stuff, how the mate bond and the connection to scent works, but I knew it in theory. These past several days I’m actually seeing it in practice. With Jase as well as my own family.
“It’ll all be okay, Carrie,” Mimi says, then looks at me and as if reading my mind adds, “And it’ll all be okay for you, too, child.”
***
I’m in the house with Dad, pacing, waiting for news. We were asked to give them privacy in the sunroom.
“You can trust them,” I assure as we pass one another, him pacing from left to right and me pacing right to left.
“It’s not that I don’t. I told you I’m trying,” he says. “I need my mate back. I hate this shit. I’m just … this better work. Fuckin’ Soleil!”
I grab his hand and give it a reassuring squeeze. “These ladies are awesome. And this is their teacher, Dad. Their teacher and Grey’s teacher, too. She’ll fix it.”
I hope I’m right. Seeing my super-alpha dad look nervous is a new thing for me. He’s so strong, capable, and sure of himself. But he looks stressed out right now.
“Graydon?” Vivi calls in through the kitchen door.
“Come on in.” Dad opens the door wide.
What a difference from how he usually behaves around the Young family.
“It worked,” Vivi says with a smile. “Carrie is gone upstairs to get out of her clothes and shower in case any traces were–”
Dad practically sprints from the kitchen, heading for the stairs.
“Left,” Vivi finishes on a giggle and looks at me. “She went in through the front door to spare your dad any remnants of that aroma. We gave her a spelled room spray to eliminate any traces from her bedroom.”
I let out the biggest breath of relief, throwing my arms around Vivi and hugging her. “Omigosh. Thank you guys, so much.”
“It’s our pleasure.”
“Where’s your Aunt Mimi?” I ask.
“OurAunt Mimi,” she corrects with a smile. “She and Dani are tidying up the magic circle.”
I love how the Youngs have made me feel like a blood relation to them all, instead of just Greyson.
“I’ll make tea.”
Vivi shakes her head. “The last thing your folks are gonna want is some company in their kitchen. Judging by the look in your father’s eyes as he practically dove out of here, I’d say you should consider sleeping with headphones on. I have a feeling things might get… amorous around here.”
I laugh. “My parents’ room is pretty soundproof. I’m fairly sure that’s by design.”
“Even still…” She waves her hand. “Aunt Mimi is tired. She had a long flight and came straight here to help out so they wouldn’t have to wait until tomorrow.”
“That’s so awesome of her. I’ll go thank her. And thank you guys, too. For everything.”
“You seem like you’re in good spirits,” she points out.
“I’m a little tipsy,” I admit with a laugh. “I needed something to calm myself after tonight’s date. And I’m just so happy right now for Mom and Dad.”
“And how was the date?” she asks.
“Um… I’m gonna need time to process it.”
“So you’re… I mean, you seem okay, considering you went on that date under duress.”