Fated

Chapter 13

The next few days passed by without much excitement. Donna and I tried to fill out time by learning to paint and dance because Kori thought both of those would be fun and take our minds off of worrying.

Of course, neither of those things worked. Instead, we were tired and sad, which made it even worse. We wallowed in pity as both of us were without our mates. But it was on the second night that I learned Donna and Conner completed the mating bond before he left.

"You what?" I asked, sitting up on the bed in her room.

"I wanted to tell you, but I wasn't sure if you wanted to hear about that when you haven't finished yours yet. But I can't keep it a secret from you anymore." Donna explained.

"I am not mad!" I smile and hug her. "I am happy for you. I wish you had told me sooner, but I am happy. You found your mate and now you can mind-link each other anywhere. Have you been talking with him the whole time?"

"I speak to him only at night, otherwise he is too busy." Donna sighs in sadness. "I am worried. Every time I ask if he is alright, he says he is, but I can't help but feel he is hiding something. But he never tells me."

"I am sure he is fine," I assure her. "He is probably just tired from the travel and fighting. Maybe he isn't getting enough sleep, but I am sure he is fine."

"You think?" Donna asks with hope.

"Yes," I nod. "I do."

"You are probably right. I am worried about nothing. Greyson says he heard good news from them, so I am sure everything is alright." Donna smiles and lets out a long sigh. "I am just so happy to finally tell you."

"When did it happen?" I asked out of curiosity.

"The night you and Damian were having supper. Conner had the night off and one thing led to another." Donna blushed as she explained.

"But that night... you came to make sure I was alright after the fight. You left Conner for me?" I asked in total confusion.

"Conner was mind-linked from Damian and had to go and calm him down. But when Conner told me what Damian said, I knew I needed to be with you," she placed her hand over mine. "Conner and I both agreed that it was the right thing."

"I am sorry, though." I shake my head. "I shouldn't have ruined your night like that."

"It's alright," she assures me. "Besides, the next night made up for it completely. Conner had a meal prepared in his room and we spent the night together. It was so romantic. Just like one of your books."

"Awe," I felt happy for my friend. "When are you moving in together?"

"Well... I don't want to leave you. If I move to Conner's room, then I will be far away from you. And when you move in with Damian it will only become further." Donna sighed.

"You belong with your mate, not me," I shake my head as I laugh. "Don't worry about me. When Conner comes back, move in with him. I will still see you and you can see me whenever. You know where my room is."

"But... I don't like being far from you," she sighs. "You are my closest friend and I love you dearly. I don't want to lose you."

"You will never lose me," I assure her. "But I want to someday be an aunt, and you are the only person that could make that happen." I give her a teasing smirk and that makes her blush.

"So when do you think Damian and yourself will complete the bond?" Donna asked, changing the subject with a wicked smile.

"I have thought about it," I confessed. "I wanted to do it before he left, but..."

"But what?" Donna leaned closer.

"Well... you know how hard it is for me to let someone in," I sighed. "It took me years before I fully let myself trust you. And yes, I feel safe and happy around Damian, but that just isn't enough."

"You can tell him though," Donna placed her hand over mine. "He might even be able to help you in a way I never could. You are haunted by those memories, but maybe he can help."

"But if I let someone in... then I can lose them." I looked down at my hands and the tears stung my eyes. "And... I can't do that again. I can't lose someone I love."

"You are stronger than you were fourteen years ago," Donna pulled me into a hug. "You can handle this. You can handle him now."

"I am weak," I shook my head.

"No, you are a survivor. You blend in to make sure he can't find you. Your life hasn't been perfect, but you are anything but weak." Donna rubbed my back as she tried to assure me of her words.

"But... if I let Damian in... What if that only gets him hurt? I can't put my mate in danger for selfish reasons. I know I should just reject him... but I can't." I let the tears finally fall, no longer holding back.

"You shouldn't ever reject him because of that reason," Donna said with a stern voice. "That isn't fair to the both of you. You deserve to live a life, you know. It isn't your fault for being born, so you shouldn't have to pay for it."

"But..." I shake my head.

"No buts," Donna stops me. "It's been fourteen years. If he wanted to find you, I am sure he would have by now. Maybe he thinks you dead? Maybe he gave up looking? But no matter what, it is time to start living for yourself."

"You think?" I wipe away the tears.

"I know," Donna smiles and hands me a tissue. "So, go mate already."

We both share a chuckle of amusement before cuddling close and laying on the bed. Donna hands me a book and I begin to read it out loud to pass the time, and before we know it, we both drift off to sleep.