BiteBound *completed*

Chapter 54

"Ya both shagged in the car?!" Anne exclaims through her blinking eyes. "Did Ryan turn around and stop ya both?!"

"Actually, I was surprised he never returned. He was waiting for us at a other rest stop down the highway until Arthur gave him the call to continue on."

"I don't blame 'im!" She sips on her cinnamon tea. "With our curse of sensitive hearing, I wouldn't want to stick 'round for that! 'Opefully 'e didn't 'ave to 'ear it too often."

Errr...I press down on my guilty grin. How much is too often?

She gasps. "Rosalie, you cheeky devil!"

"What?!" I laughed. "It's our vacation! Who knows how much time I have left—."

Shit. Not that again.

"I- I mean, life's too short! I just want to live like there's no tomorrow you know?"

That didn't sound any better. I could see through Anne's concerned eyes that even if it was an accidental blurt, it's not a lie.

"Right..." She sets down her tea. "Rosalie, you're 'iding your emotions again—."

"I'd much prefer if we didn't talk about that right now." I said, keeping my tone neutral. "Can't we just go back to talking about that trip?"

"Ya can't just say somethin' like that and pretend to ignore it." She says. "It's on your mind, probably weighing it down too. We should talk about it."

NO.

"I thought you wanted to hear how our vacation went?"

"I do!" She clarifies. "But if something's bothering you, you should say something—."

"And I'll tell you when I'm ready to talk about it." I said firmly. "As of now, I've come to terms with it."

"Have you now?" Her tone shifts too, crossing her arms to further confirm her doubt towards me.

It only brought out the doubt in me that I was trying to suppress. I kept my careless mask on.

"I- I know what could possibly happen. All I can do now is keep training. Be ready for anything for what might come my way."

"And you think it's that simple?" She lifts a brow.

"Uh, duh!" I laughed, shocking myself that I even Abel to laugh at a time like this. "If anything, I have the upper hand. I knocked that bitch down on her ass with a shovel! Tell me another human that would take down a supernatural being like that."

"Now see, that out of sheer luck." She argues. "You got away with an injured arm and lived. Are ya plannin' to take another swing at 'er with a shovel again? I doubt she won't dodge next time."

I roll my eyes. "Of course not."
"'oos to say she won't come at ya with a sneak attack? All it takes is one snap at the neck and ya done."

I could just envision it right then and there. Dying in front of Arthur as the ring slips out of my finger and into the dirt.

Why in the hell is she trying to scare me like this?

"Think what could've happened if Peterson hadn't trained you? You and I both know ya wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Peterson and a dash at your side."

"Okay I get it!" I snap at her, hardly even making her flinch. "I get that I can die any day now, but for fuck's sake can you give me some grace so I don't have to think about for once?!"

I've never raised my voice at a close friend before, at least, I don't think I have. But fuck did it make feel feel instantly shitty.

My fingers weaved themselves into my hair, self-soothing the aching points on my skull to bring myself back to the now.

"I just... I really just wanted our evening to be chill, not a recollection of a scary moment. I get that you're concerned Anne, but all I'm asking is that we forget about it for now. Please."

She had a thought behind those shimmering eyes that she really wanted to say, but instead of speaking her mind, she sighs and nods.

"You're right. I'm sorry. Let's talk about something else."

Great, now I've brought down the mood. I sigh. Maybe we should just end it here, Arthur will be waking up soon anyway.

"That ring's been 'round for generations." She suddenly points out.

"Hm?"

"The ring, it maybe be just a black band, but it holds meaning. The strength of one's love."

Is that so?

The glowing light from the candles reflect off the tungsten polish, almost like a shooting star grazing across the dark skies. While it did fit a bit loose on my ring finger, it's weight was strangely comforting to me; like a reminder for me to stay grounded and calm.

"Did it belong to anyone else?"

"Oh no." She shakes her head. "That ring was only supposed to be given to 'is lover when 'e was ready. 'e's held onto it for so long; even when 'e had other lovers, his fear wouldn't let him surrender it. Not until it felt right. Not until you came along."

"How do you know all this?" I ask.

"Peterson and I wos there when 'e bought it." She giggles. "We don't always stay cooped up ya know. We do like to window shop when we're bored."

That's fair. I nod to myself.

"Ya know, I thought the sales lady was playin' it up when Arthur spotted that ring at an antique shop. She says, 'It represents the eternal nature of commitment. When you finally find the one, it's a promise you will face challenges together. They will forever be your soulmate.'" She shrugged. "Guess, she wasn't wrong."

So even though I'm not his reincarnated lover, I somehow ended up as his soulmate by bond. I snort gently. Life is so fucking weird.

"So... wot 'appened in Santa Barbara?" She brings the teacup to her nose in a giddy manner. "Did ya torture Ryan and Julie some more?"

"Oh my god." I roll my eyes, this time in a playful manner. "Who the fuck knows now? I was living my life."

"As you both should." She grins. "So tell me more, and don't spare the details."