Page 26 of Salt and Knot

“You shouldn’t tell him, just in case,” Elaina says. “Alphas can be terrible about clingy omegas.”

I can’t help but laugh. “That boat has sailed. He called me his fated mate.”

“Wait, what?”

I tell Elaina about how my heat came on so strongly, and him picking me up from the beach, and then that Dylan called me his mate.

I miss out the part about the sea monster, because I don’t want her to think I’ve totally lost my mind. Because I haven’t. I don’t think.

Probably.

“Wow, that is what happens with fated mates.” Elaina hums thoughtfully. “The whole needing to touch each other, and the heat’s being super intense. I’ve never passed out like that, or even fainted. That does sound like the real thing.”

“It feels like it,” I whisper. And though I don’t have anything to compare being with Dylan to, the certainty is bone deep.

She makes a longing sound. “This is really happening to you? And he’s nice, and lives by the beach, where you’ve always wanted to go. And he’s your actual fated mate. I’m so jealous.”

I don’t know what to say. Thank you? Yes?

“It’s not even real how jealous I am.”

“Maybe you’ll find your fated mate,” I say optimistically.

“Pffftt!” She snorts. “Yeah. Right.”

“Where have you always wanted to go?” Maybe Elaina can find her fated mate the same way I did.

“Nowhere. You’re sweet, but deluded.” Elaina heaves a sigh. “I’m going to live through you like an unfortunate unmarried aunt, and continue making candles. I need detailed updates, do you understand?”

“Got it. But not too much. The private times are private.”

“Everything else. I need to know. Oh! Have you bonded?” she asks eagerly.

“Wouldn’t that be a bit soon?” My omega instincts riot as I say that. It’s my fear talking, not what I actually want.

“He’s your fated mate? He smells delicious, he’s been good to you. He’s an alpha who isn’t a dickhead? What exactly are you waiting for?”

To understand what happened in the water, with that monster? In case… I don’t even know what the monster might be in this situation. A complication, I guess. I bite my lip.

“If I found my fated mate, I’d be locking that shit down,” she continues. “No question.”

“Good point.” What if this is just fears born of me having never belonged? Being fostered, I’ve never had anything permanent. And there is a thread of fear in me that I don’t deserve this. That Dylan doesn’t really want me.

“Yes, it is. Now, I’ll be slaving away in the shop if you need me. Wait, are you even coming back?”

“I…” I have no idea? “We haven’t got that far. It’s all new.”

“Don’t. I’ll visit you.”

I laugh. “I can’t just quit my job.”

“It’s a crappy shop assistant job that pays minimum wage. You can and you should,” she replies bluntly.

“We’ll see.” I shake my head.

We say our goodbyes, and I put the phone down on the desk. Dylan notices, and glances over at me, then hesitantly removes the headphones.

“Everything okay?” He reaches over and tucks a stray tendril of hair behind my ear. Then his gaze dips to my mouth, before returning to my eyes.