Jason Creed. Fated. Fated to Jason Creed.
Anger bubbles up in me just as my phone chimes from my pocket. It might be starting to sink in, and I can’t let it or it’ll take me out.
Outside the door, Mom knocks gently, saying, “Bailey, maybe you should go with him. Talk things out.”
I open the door. “I don’t want this.”
“But this is Jase.YourJase.”
No.MyJase was a figment of my imagination. The Jase outside is completely different. I don’t wantthisone.
The house phone is ringing. Mom rushes out, muttering, “One second.”
I sit on the side of the tub and pull my phone out of my pocket. I’ve got a text from Cicely.
Cicely: I don’t know where you are, if you’re back or still in Italy chasing Jase. I have no idea if up is up and down is really down, but things are beyond wonky for me if you haven’t heard.
I write back.
Me: I just got back. Wonky is the whole vibe apparently because get this! Jason Creed identified me as his mate. No, I’m not celebrating. I’m mad as hell. He’s a jerk. I told him I reject him. And he thinks it’s all a big joke. I know the Youngs are trying to help you with your problem. I’m so sorry btw. If I wasn’t across the ocean in the biggest drama of my life I would have been here for you. But we’re having our dramas concurrently so there’s not much I can do for you and definitely nothing you can do for me. I would love nothing more than to come out there and offer you moral support if nothing else (not like you want me cooking meals) but the big jerk prob won’t let me anywhere near you because of your mate so ifthere’s anything I can do, please let me know and I’ll certainly try.
Cicely: I want to hug you and congratulate you. This is everything you’ve wanted. But … if he’s been shitty to you, I say make him grovel!
Me: I don’t even want a grovel. It’s hard to explain.
Cicely: Shit. I’m sorry Bailey. Very sorry.
Me: Sorry for what you’re going through, too. I can’t imagine…
Cicely: Maybe you can help me. Can you see what you can find out about a shifter pack in Utah near the Wyoming and Colorado borders? And specifically Jared Stone? And if there’s something I can help you with, let me know.
Me: I don’t think I can get to the library until tomorrow. But as soon as I do, I’ll see what I can find out. Thanks for the offer but I’ve got a little bit of help here. For the moment, at least.
Before I’m finished typing the message, Mom is knocking on the bathroom door, so I finish it off with:
Me: Shit. Gotta go.
“Come in, Mom.”
“Hey,” Mom says softly.
My phone chimes and I see her reply.
Cicely: Thank you. Good luck.
“Just a sec,” I say to my mom before I type out my reply to Sis.
Good luck to you, too. TTYL
I give Mom my attention.
She gives me a sad smile, looking like she doesn’t know how to deal with me.
“He needs to go. Why won’t he just go?” I ask rhetorically because I know the answer.
“Sweetheart, you know how these things work. You’ve seen it enough times lately and everyone knows how it goes. An alpha can’t help but feel compelled to sweep his mate off her feet and take her home for all the fun stuff, which he can’t wait for. What he’s doing is completely natural to him, natural to all alphas. Your reaction – it’s not abnormal, many women are hesitant, resistant. I know I was nervous about how fast your dad wanted things to move, but when an alpha knows, heknows. And he thinks togetherness… if you catch my meaning…”
“Believe me, I caught it.”