Fated Connection (Book 1)

Chapter 29

A look of disbelief covered my face as I stared at Ashira. She couldn't possibly be telling the truth about this, could she? It kind of made sense and explained the pull I had instantly felt towards August, however, she couldn't be saying… no, that wasn't right. The universe couldn't possibly be that ridiculous.

"Are you telling me that my life literally  depends on my having sex with August?" the incredulity was evident in my voice as I gaped at her. When Ashira didn't deny my suspicions, my eyes widened even further. "You've got to be fucking kidding me!"

"I'm sorry but no, I'm not. Why do I get the feeling you don't want this to be true?" Ashira asked curiously, her head tilted slightly to the side as if I were a fascinating puzzle. "Was I wrong to assume that you have feelings for him?"

"That isn't even the issue here," I snapped in reply, even though I knew none of this was her fault. Ashira acted like this situation was simple and easily remedied but it wasn't. I sighed in frustration and ran a hand over my face, a dull ache forming behind my eyes. "It's not about whether or not I have… feelings for August."

"Then what's wrong?"

"You just told me I would die if I didn't sleep with someone. Everything is just peachy," I quipped with a roll of my eyes. 

"Nevada, he isn't just anyone. August is your fated love, your destined eternity," Ashira replied, unbothered by my irritation. "Can you not see that? Even your mother knows."

My head snapped towards Ashira, the unexpected statement throwing me for a loop. I had told Alana about August's rejection, how could she possibly think that he would want me? He didn't want me, not now, not in bed, and not by his side for the rest of eternity. August had made that more than clear.

"He doesn't want me, Ashira," I revealed, voicing my thoughts despite my reservations about telling anyone else this secret. "August has rejected me."

If what Ashira said was true, and August was my one fated love, I had a lonely future ahead of me. He didn't want me because he didn't want to hurt his friend. I understood that, especially after what Ashira had told me Dominic and August, but it didn't make it hurt any less. Was that why I had been feeling so horrible lately, so drained of energy? 

I had heard stories of those that had been rejected by their soulmate, the results the same as if their loved one had died. Many had lost their minds from the unbearable pain that had incurred once the bond had been severed. Others had simply died, their life draining away from them as their love left them behind. Some committed suicide before they could waste away, but not everyone had been able to do that.

Some stories told of those that had lived through the rejection or the loss of their mate's life, somehow moving on and the gods gifting them with a second chance. It was a rare occurrence, as most never lived passed losing the first, but it wasn't unheard of. If I survived the formal rejection, would I be lucky enough to find someone else that actually wanted me?

"Has he said the words, Nevada?" Ashira asked, her tone soft as she looked at me expectantly.

Looking away, I shook my head. "No, not officially."

Ashira didn't speak, and she didn't really need to because I knew what she was thinking. However, just because he hadn't said the words didn't mean he wasn't going to. It was possible he didn't realize that I was his mate, or maybe they were all wrong completely and there was something else wrong with me entirely. Chewing my lip nervously as a thought occurred to me, I looked back at Ashira who was watching me as if patiently waiting for me to question her further.

"What did you mean when you said it was different because he was a hybrid? How could he unknowingly start to claim me?"

"Well, for vampires there is a blood exchange involved. I don't know the specifics but I do know that it strengthens the already existing bond between the individuals," she began, her face thoughtful. "With the fae, there is an entwining of energy in a specific way, almost like a braid or a tether of sorts."