Destined

Future Decisions

I shake the thought from my head, knowing I have more important things. I can get too caught up in the 'what could happen' or I'll miss the 'what is happening'.

Hopefully, I won't have to deal with losing Reed for a very long time.

"Do you want to rest first?" Reed's hand slides along my lower back hooking around my waist before he leans in and presses a soft kiss to my head.

My mom pats my hand with a small smile before pulling away and walking to my dad.

"This won't take long but," I turn to face him, my hands moving to loop around his neck as his settle around my waist, "Do you want me to talk to you first alone?"

I can tell he's trying to read my mind. Trying to decide what it is I'm going to say and the truth is, he'll never guess. He may be able to read me like a book but it's only because I let him.

"A hint wouldn't be a bad thing," He says, his lips moving to meet mine as he walks us backward until my back hits the wall.

My hands run through his hair, holding him against me as we kiss.

This. This is what I will hold with me forever. The feel of his arms around me, the gentle touch of his kiss and the taste of him on my lips. The way everything around us melts away, leaving just him and me.

We break apart, but I keep my hands in his hair, our eyes locking as he looks at me like my soul is displayed before him. All my secrets laid at his feet. He looks at me like I am the only person he has or will ever see.

"I love you, Reed, until even after forever has passed," My heart nearly exploded at the smile I received from my admission.

His eyes watch me carefully as if he is trying to read everything he needs to know from just my eyes. I wonder briefly what he sees, but I can't bring myself to ask.

"What did she say?" Reed asks queitly, one of his hands moving some hair from my face as the other stays firmly planted on my waist.

I lean my head back against the wall, trying to figure out exactly how to answer that question. I can't tell him that he will die before me, I mean eventually that might come up, but right now I want to pretend that I don't know that secret.

Besides, it not so much what she said but what it means to me and that... that Reed won't like at all.

"She said that we will be sought out by desperate wolves an-"

"If you two lovebirds are done, everyone is waiting," Ian says slyly as he walks by with a smiling Jenna on his arm.

Reed growls lowly, dropping his head to my shoulder, my hand moving to run through his hair. I wink to Jenna when I see her giddy expression and can't help but smile at the little squeal as she tightens her grip on Ian.

"Come, my love, let's get this over with," I say, pulling him into a kiss, before moving and leading him to the office.

*

"Whenever you're ready, Aspen," My dad says, sitting patiently behind his desk with my mother at his side.

Reed presses his face into my hair, whispering encouraging words to me as I face my family.

"The locket is powerful and apparently something that I was destined to wear," I say simply, figuring it was easiest to start there, "Now that Reed and I have completed the mating process, it is ours and no one can take it from us. The danger is over."

I can see everyone relax a bit in their seats, but I know they still have questions. Hell, even I still have questions but the dark-haired woman never gave specifics. So we will learn and grow as it comes.