Book 19: Help Me

Oakley

I suppose, looking back on my entire life, I had girlish, romantic notions about eventually finding my mate. Yes, I have been one to say things like, “The mate bond isn’t instantaneous for everyone,” or to straight up allude to the idea that the moment of knowing isn’t like a lightning bolt to the chest, or tasting color, or seeing music notes floating around–however people describe it. 

Maybe the lucky ones feel like that and get their happily ever after immediately. 

But what is a relationship with one’s mate, possibly future husband, and the future father of my children, without a little… strife? 

Ian looks like he’s been dragged through hell and back twice over, and somehow, is still so handsome I could cry. I should feel lucky, and maybe, deep down, I do. But this was not how I imagined f