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“Oh, I am,” I tell her. She giggles, but part of me wonders if she’s right. At least about the bored with life part.
“Let’s fix that then. Ask me to dance,” she challenges, a mischievous glint in her gorgeous emerald eyes.
I grin as I get ready to stand, but the door opens, and Greg smiles at Malia.
“It’s time to join the others,” he tells her. She stands, giving me a shaky courtesy that has me grinning into my hand.
“I’ll see you soon,” I whisper to her. The adorable woman winks at me before she follows Greg out.
I keep smiling to myself as they disappear around a corner, then I stand to follow them. I need to go announce to the room of hopefuls who will be staying for the next five days and who will be leaving.
I step out of the room, and Koda smiles at me.
“So?” Salem asks as she appears at his side.
“So, I have it narrowed down to the eight.”
“And…?” she stresses.
“And I don’t think my mate is here,” I admit.
“Think? You don’tthinkshe is?” Koda asks with a frown. I glance away, shrugging as I shove my hands into my pockets.
How would I even begin to explain the torrent of emotions washing through me at the moment? I can’t make sense of my reaction to her in my own head, so I know I won’t be able to paint a picture for someone else.
“Yeah. I don’t know yet,” I hedge. “There was someone…” I trail off, an image of platinum blonde hair and green eyes floating in front of me. “I just don’t know yet,” I finish lamely.
Koda frowns at that. I can tell he wants to ask me more, but he knows me well enough not to push the matter. Neither of us has ever heard of a shifter not being sure about their mate, and I don’t like that I’m the first to feel this way. Even so, I’m not going to waste my chance at finding my mate if Malia could be her.
Koda nods, clapping me on the shoulder, and we all head back to the great room to make the announcement.
My eyes find Malia in the crowd instantly and my heart rate picks up as her eyes meet mine. The air cackles between us, and for a moment, the whole world fades away. Everything and everyone disappears except her.
I don’t know what that means yet, but I’m going to find out.
FOUR
Malia
“Doesit feel weird to be walking around this place in our thrift store clothes?” Ren asks as we head downstairs for breakfast the next day.
“Only when I’m around other people,” I reply. She nudges me with her elbow as she laughs.
We got our things and checked out of the hotel in town late last night. Riding back to the castle in a fancy limo had felt surreal, but that was nothing compared to meeting King Ryker in person.
Even though I drooled over photos of him online before we met, I wasn’t prepared for how much of a commanding presence he had. King Ryker didn’t have to bark orders or threaten anyone to get what he wanted, like some of the foster families I lived with. His quiet confidence, firm yet gentle tone and calming aura drew me to him.
I’ve experienced a lot of chaos and turmoil in my life, but simply sitting next to King Ryker made me feel safer than I ever have before.
“Do you remember how to get to the dining room?” Ren asks, pulling me from my runaway thoughts. I frown, then peek around the nearest doorway.
“Are you ladies lost?” comes a deep voice from behind us.
I yelp as I spin around, my feet getting tangled up in the rug beneath them. My arms flail about as I try desperately to keep my balance, but gravity is definitely winning the battle.
Right before I faceplant, large, steady hands wrap around my shoulders, hauling me upright.
“King Ryker,” I breathe out, peering up at him as he holds me against his chest. “Sorry.”
