I put my hands on her shoulders, squeezing. “Thank you. We’ll talk soon.”
“Keep us posted about Casper,” Page says as I get into my car. I give them one last wave before heading back to my place.
My stomach is tying itself into knots during the entire drive. Nerves, anticipation, excitement, worry. So many things are playing over and over in my head and all of them are about Casper.
I never imagined myself getting to have a true mate. Sure, my parents were mated and seemed happy enough, but they’re both banshees. They understand the struggles and what comes with being a banshee. Casper is a familiar, and an adorable one at that. Will he think of me as a monster when he sees my true face? Will he be disgusted by my need to feed?
I really don’t think I would survive being rejected by my true mate. I think out of everything, that would be the thing to break me. I guess only time will tell. Surely Lady Fate wouldn’t have brought us together if we were destined to fail. Right?
As best as I can, I push my anxiety away as I pull into my driveway. After a steadying breath, I get out of my car and make my way up to my front door. I’m not sure what I was expecting but what I find isn’t that.
My front door leads straight into my kitchen and I find Harbor and Bently sitting on the floor, a bag of shredded cheese between them. Bently has changed into sweats while Harbor is wearing my bathrobe, complete with a towel wrapped around his head.
“Hi,” Harbor whispers, waving at me. He shoves a handful of cheese into his mouth, grinning up at me. “Casper’s already passed out on the couch.”
I look past the breakfast island towards my living room, finding my mate asleep. He looks incredibly adorable. I walk closer, leaning my hip against the island, just watching him sleep. I’m overwhelmed by the amount of warm feelings welling up inside of me. I didn’t think I had such soft feelings inside me. I didn’t realize I was capable of this level of softness. It clashes with what I’ve come to associate with being a banshee.
“Thanks again for letting us crash here,” Bently says softly, not wanting to wake Casper. I blush, realizing I’ve been caught staring. I turn away, giving Bently and Harbor my attention.
“It’s no problem at all. I’m happy you’re all here.” I run my fingers over my short hair, letting the soft strands soothe me. “I should probably head to bed. It’s been a long fucking night.”
“Harbor and I are gonna crash in the RV. If you want, you can probably carry Casper to bed with you,” he says with a soft smile.
“I wouldn’t want to disturb his sleep.”
Harbor rolls his eyes. “What is it with you guys all pussy footing around your mates. Take him to bed, Zeke!” He picks up the bag of shredded cheese, taking it with him out the front door, not caring he’s still wearing my robe and towel. I can’t do much more than stare at him as he goes with wide eyes.
Bently gives me a look that conveys ‘what are you gonna do’ before following behind Harbor.
Casper’s cousins are strange but I’m already growing quite fond of them. They seem to have a strong bond, one that I’m a little jealous of. I’m an only child and always wished I could have grown up around other kids. Thankfully, I found Page and Ray in high school, the three of us thick as thieves ever since Mr. Southburn assigned us together for a group history project.
I kick off my shoes, hang up my coat, and clean up the random cheese from the floor before heading into the living room. Carefully, I squat down so I’m face to face with Casper.
His face looks so surreal, so innocent while he’s sleeping. Normally, I would hold myself back but this is my true mate. I give into the impulse to touch him, gently moving his hair off of his face. The strands are ridiculously soft, his curls adorable how they bounce as I move them. My thumb strokes his cheek and I smile as he moves into my touch, chasing my hand even in his sleep.
“Casper,” I whisper, watching as his lids flutter for a moment before they’re slowly opening. His pretty brown eyes stare at me before his lips spread into a soft smile. “Hey.”
“Hi,” he whispers back, yawning as he speaks, “glad you made it back safe.”
“Me too. Would you like to move to my bed? It’s far more comfortable than the couch.”
“I’d like that.”
I place one arm under his knees, the other around his shoulders. I haul him up into my arms and he comes willingly, tucking his face against the side of my head, his arms going around my neck, holding on as I walk him from the couch into my bedroom.
While he’s here, so close, I bury my nose against his hair, breathing him in. Casper smells citrusy, like fresh, juicy oranges. It’s a smell I’ll never get tired of, a smell that makes me think of summer days spent outside, eating oranges as sloppily as I see fit, knowing my dad will hose me off before letting me back inside. The smell makes me happy.
“Here you go,” I whisper, gently putting Casper in my bed. He shimmies himself under the comforter before burying his face against my pillow. I can hear him sniffing and I can’t help but chuckle. Apparently sleepy Casper isn’t very subtle, but that’s okay, I find the gesture incredibly adorable.
I quickly change into some pjs before sliding into the space beside my mate. I turn on my side, facing him, once again just taking him in. It’s hard to believe I started the day planning to help a ghost find peace and somehow ended the day with my true mate in my bed with me. Lady Fate runs on Her own schedule, that’s for sure.
“Sleep well,” I whisper, leaning forward and kissing the side of Casper’s head. He makes a happy little hum before tucking himself closer until our bodies are plastered together. He sighs and the noise resonates within my very bones. He’s at peace here with me and I can’t help but feel the same.
I give him a gentle squeeze before finally closing my eyes and letting myself find sleep.
Chapter Five
Casper
The first thing I register as I wake up is that I’m not in my usual bunk in the RV. I take a deep breath, freezing when I’m surrounded by the wonderful scent of fresh flowers. Mmm, that might be a new scent but I know exactly what that smell means. I’m with my true mate.
The next thing I realize is that I’m not only in my true mate’s presence but he’s got his arms wrapped around me from behind. I feel so safe, so warm in his arms. I feel like I could stay here forever.
I scoot back even further only to freeze once more when I feel something hard press against my lower back.
Oh.
Oh my gods.
My stomach warms with arousal as I realize my mate’s morning wood is pressed against me. I don’t think I’ve ever felt anything like this before. The warmth in the pit of my belly is new but not unwelcome. It leaves me feeling breathless and antsy to do even more.
It would be so fucking easy to press against him even harder, to wiggly my ass just right to feel good. My own cock begins to fill with blood, tingling with anticipation.
If this is how my cousins feel all the time, I have no idea how they can even think straight. I’ve only just started experiencing arousal and already I want to stay in bed all day, naked, with my mate.
“Morning,” a husky voice says right beside my ear and I bite my bottom lip, keeping myself from groaning. Fuck, Zeke’s morning voice is hot as fuck which does nothing to stop this budding arousal from rising even further. It feels like a volcano preparing to erupt and I don’t have the experience to even attempt to cut it off.
“Good morning,” I say back, my voice breaking. Zeke’s hand moves to my shoulder, pushing me until I flip over onto my back. He leans up on my elbow so he can properly look down at me.
