He Put His Ex First, So I Found My True Mate novel · Chapter 23 of 24

Chapter 23: The Choice

The old founder told us a mating bond is not sworn in front of a crowd.

"It is made at the Stone, by the two of you, with nobody to hear it," he said. "Say it in your own words. The Stone knows the rest."

So at midnight on Monday we climbed the headland alone.

The moon was nearly full. The sea moved silver below the cliff.

Conal stood with his back to the Stone and his hands in his pockets, as nervous as I had ever seen him.

"You don't have to," he said. "The wax chose, but you can still say no to the bond. I'd keep the light and the ferry, and I'd be glad of every day you gave me."

"I know."

"I mean it."

"I know you do. That's why I'm doing it."

I put my palm flat on the old grey rock.

It was cold, and then it was warm.

"Here's what I want," I said. "I'm keeping my company. I'm keeping the name Corbett. I'm keeping my own bank account, and I'm going to bill you for the broken cup."

"Done."

"I want your bed and your kitchen. I want the pups at supper every Friday. I want you to ask me first, always, when it's my life."

"Done."

"And I want you." My voice shook. "I wanted you before I knew your name was in the wax."

"Isla..."

"Be quiet. This is my speech."

He bit back a laugh.

"I choose you, Conal Cardross," I said. "I'm yours, and you're mine, and I'm saying it out loud so the Stone remembers. Mate."

The stone hummed under my hand.

Conal put his hand over mine.

His eyes were gold and wet.

"Mate," he said. "Mine."

The sea went still below us.

Then the humming ran through both of us at once, and my knees almost went.

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