Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 92941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Mordecai was handsome, but his mate was stunning.
“It’s nice to meet you, Reese,” Helen said, her dark eyes kind as she reached out to shake my hand.
Her shoulders were broad and straight, and she stood nearly as tall as her mate, with glossy black hair in a loose braid that hung to her waist.
I gaped.
Mordecai chuckled.
“I’m sorry,” I blurted, looking away from Helen, completely mortified.
“No worries,” he said with a smile. “She gets that a lot.”
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” I said, looking back at Helen with a grimace of apology.
She smiled. “Thank you.”
“Jesus,” I muttered, looking back at Erik, who was holding back a laugh. “So, you called in Mordecai. What’s the significance of that?”
Erik’s expression instantly changed as I moved further into the room and dropped into an empty chair. “I mean, there must be something because Beau was pissed.”
“He didn’t know you asked me to come?” Mordecai asked Erik chidingly.
“You know Beau,” Erik replied cryptically.
“I’m guessing this is because I’m the backup mate, right?” I said, looking around at each of them. “So, let’s get to it. How’s Mordecai supposed to change the fact that Beau’s mate is dead, and he’s got a replacement?”
They didn’t deserve my anger, but it felt so good to let it out that I didn’t even attempt to check it.
I barely noticed Helen’s wince.
“Reese, that’s not what happened,” Mattie said soothingly.
She was trying to be nice. She’d been nice since the moment we met. Logically, I understood that. But her tone made me want to hit something.
“That’s exactly what happened,” I argued dully. “Let’s call a spade a spade. We’re all adults here.”
Erik and Mordecai shared a look, and I bristled even more, if that was possible.
“You aren’t the replacement,” Mordecai said, sitting back down, his arm over Helen’s thighs as he leaned forward a bit. “You’re one and the same.”
I just stared at him.
“You’re his soul’s mate,” he said, his words slow.
I couldn’t stop the bark of laughter that came out of my mouth. “Right.”
“It’s where the human phrase soulmate originated,” he continued calmly. “Life is like a circle. Never-ending.”
I huffed out a breath of disbelief even as my heart began to pound at the seriousness of his expression.
“That’s some fairytale bullshit,” I blustered.
“It’s not,” Mordecai replied.
“Have you never looked at Beau and thought he was familiar, somehow?” Helen asked softly. “Or felt a sense of…rightness that didn’t make any sense?”
I clenched my jaw in response.
“Your soul has searched for his since the beginning,” Mordecai said gently. “It’s what causes the fire in your blood. Once a mate is found, it’s nearly impossible to separate from them.”
“Beau did,” I shot back.
“Not without great cost,” Erik said, sitting on the arm of Mattie’s chair.
“And what makes you the expert in all this?” I asked Mordecai. “What, you’re their leader or something?”
Mordecai scoffed. “Hardly.”
“I’d like to see him try and lead me anywhere,” Erik grumbled.
“They called us,” Helen said, ignoring the men. “Because Mordecai found his mate and lost her long before I existed. It was a very long time before he found me again.”
“Are you trying to tell me we’re reincarnated until some Vampire finds us?” I asked skeptically. “That’s what you’re getting at, right?”
“Yes,” Mattie said when the others sat silent.
I looked at each of them in turn, wondering how I could politely excuse myself. What they were saying was insane, but they clearly believed it.
“Is it any crazier than believing Vampires exist?” Erik asked quietly as if he was reading my mind.
“I don’t know,” I shot back. “Vampires have never been something that had to be believed or not. They just are.”
“So is this.”
“So, everyone is just reincarnated over and over again,” I said with a laugh.
“We don’t know,” Mordecai confessed. “This only pertains to mates. We have no idea what happens when humans die.”
“Oh, sure,” I replied sarcastically. “Because why would you?”
“Reese—” Mattie leaned forward in her seat.
“No. You know, I think I’m going to just let you guys visit. You said your piece, and it’s been…interesting. Thanks for that.”
I’d just gotten to my feet when Beau strode into the room.
“What the hell is this?” he barked, moving straight to my side.
“Beaumont,” Mordecai greeted.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Beau asked darkly.
“Just trying to help,” Mordecai replied, lifting his hands, palms up. “That’s all.”
“Does it look like it’s helping?” Beau asked snidely, glancing down at me. “Because my mate looks cornered and scared.”
I wasn’t scared, per se, but I kept my mouth shut.
“I remember the confusion,” Helen said. “Knowing I wasn’t the first.”
“Why the fuck do any of you think this is okay?” Beau asked, his voice rising. “She is my mate. Mine. What happens between us doesn’t concern any of you.”
By the time he finished, he was roaring, his entire body thrumming with anger.
“Beau,” I murmured, laying my hand on his back.