17

~Aspen

I stare up at the ceiling, silently cursing myself.

No matter how long I lay in bed, I can’t get the thought out of my head.

What if Kastriv is my mate?

It’s such a selfish thought to be having. What would the chances be that we were? Almost nothing, and yet I lay here acting as if tomorrow I’m going to be revealing a life changing bond between Kastriv and so.

I sigh through my nose. There’s no chance I’m going to sleep tonight. I’m going to have to speak to Kastriv.

He seemed to notice my discomfort with Kaia’s conversation, so offered to sleep on the couch last night. I told him he didn’t need to do such a thing, but he insisted.

Wrapping a robe around myself, I wander to the door, peeking out through the gap.

The deep glow from the fireplace alights Kastriv’s body, sprawled out over the couch with a blanket far too small for his tall form laid over him.

I clear my throat, checking to see if he's sleeping. I hope he is, to save myself some embarrassment.

He flinches, leaning