Sixteen
Maron
I cried all the way home, but as soon as I pulled into the driveway, I dried my tears, squared my shoulders, and vowed to move on from this. I'd have to call Dimitri and call it off. I didn't know how into me he was especially since all he did was kiss me. That was it. He never pressed forward with anything else. But I still owed it to him to talk to him.
I was about to step out of the car when I noticed a woman sitting on my front porch. She was the absolute last person I wanted to talk to. What was worse? Not finding your soul mate during your lifetime or finding him and realizing he was a cowardly chicken who only wanted to take the easy way in life? We had obstacles, yes. I was a vamp. He was a wolf. We could date but never have children. It was a definite problem. When I really thought about it, though, I thought the universe wouldn't be so cruel as to make two people soulmates and never give them the opportunity to be parents.
I headed up the steps.
Portia stood up. I unlocked the door and left it open for her to follow me in. She didn't say a word until she was sitting in my kitchen. "Got anything to drink?" she asked.
Wordlessly, I reached for a bottle of wine and opened it. I poured us both a generous amount and pushed a glass over to her.
"Hundred percent track record, huh?" I asked.
Her generous lips twisted to the side. "Used to be," she quipped as she took a large swig.
"Sorry about that. I tried."
"I know you did." She reached into her purse and produced a hair tie. With an effortless twist, she'd piled her hair into a messy bun. "Men. They suck." Portia held her glass up and clinked it against mine.
"He's an idiot," I proclaimed.
"Definitely. And who in the world actually marries a woman named Cherry Blossom?"
A giggle escaped from me. "Sterling Luna," I said. "Soon to be Sterling Blossom because he's a cowardly bitch."
Portia laughed out loud. "I'm really sorry, Maron. I've never met someone quite so resistant to love."
"He likes freedom," I said. "He doesn't want to be tied down to anyone."
"His parents are forcing his hand."
"Do you think it's because I'm a vampire? And not even a whole one?"
Portia's eyes flashed at that. "Not a whole vampire? I beg to differ. There’s nothing wrong with you. Everyone is different. You’re just brave enough to embrace your differences. If I had to guess, I would say it's part of it, honestly. His parents want an heir and right now, you can't give him that."
"Why would you set me up with a werewolf?" It was the million dollar question I'd been wanting to ask her for awhile.
She rubbed a hand over her mouth. "It seems irresponsible, doesn't it?"
"Very much so," I said right before I poured myself some more wine.
"This law is not just a Midnight Cove rule. It's a supernatural rule." Her gaze shuttered for a moment. "There are people who have broken the rules, though. Soulmates."
My fingers tightened around my glass. "Where are they now?"
Portia gave me a sad smile. "Hiding."
I threw my hands up. "How exactly does that help me?"
"It doesn't. What I will say is there are people behind the scenes who are working to change that. The problem is..." she hesitated like she didn't want to tell me more.
"Is?" I prompted.
"The offspring of a wolf and a vampire is strong. One of the strongest supernaturals on record. It terrifies the people in charge."
"Concerned about a coup?" I said and laughed at my joke.
