Page 53 of Crystal Luna
Curtis nodded and looked into his lap, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.
“Would it be okay with you if we kept this between us for now? I’m not ready for everyone to know how much I like her.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Thank you for taking care of Mia this morning.”
“You weren’t sleeping?”
“I woke up when I heard you check on Mia.”
“You don’t sleep much, so I didn’t want to wake you.”
“Curtis, what else is on your mind?”
He hid his face again and Heath heard a faint sniff. “I miss her.”
He pulled the boy tighter into his side, fighting emotions of his own. “I miss her too.”
“Velora cooks with me and reads books with me, but it’s not the same.”
“I don’t think Velora is trying to replace your mother. I think she just really enjoys spending time with you. She brings me some comfort too.”
“Please don’t tell Velora,” he begged, tears streaming down his cheeks. “I still want to be friends with her.”
“I won’t.”
Once they’d both had gotten a handle on their emotions, Heath walked Curtis back to class.
“I’ll see you tonight, okay?”
Curtis nodded and disappeared behind the glass door. Unsure what to do with himself, Heath began to walk. He didn’t have a destination in mind, but he couldn’t fathom sitting still in that moment. He found himself on the path that led to the well where he used to meet Velora.
He froze when he stepped onto the small clearing and saw her sitting there, bare feet dangling in the water that splashed around her ankles. The sight of her reminded him of the day he’d gone after her and found her at the cliffside. She’d looked so different then. Now, she seemed brighter. Her muscles were more defined, her skin having taken on a golden tan, stunningly accenting the shimmering strands running through her hair. She turned to look at him over her shoulder as he approached.
“I guess I’m not the only one who likes this place.”
She gave him a wobbly smile. “I can leave if you want to be alone.”
“I don’t. Unless you want to be?”
She shook her head and turned back to watch the waves she created in the water.
He followed her lead, removing his shoes to submerge his feet in the water. “I’m sorry about last night.”
Their gazes met briefly before she broke eye contact again.
“I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”
“You didn’t.”
“You rushed out of my house twice in less than twelve hours. I want you to know that you can say no. I might be your alpha, but I didn’t ask you to stay as an order. I asked you to stay as me—as Heath.”
Finally, a smile graced that beautiful face. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Heath.”
“Hey there,” he chuckled.
“I didn’t want to say no, but… I’ve never done anything like this.”