30. A love so absolute...

Mom fainted.

Now I know where I got that from.

She fainted as soon as the words left my mouth. We have a doctor in the house so it wasn't much of a fuss. We waited until Harvey checked mom and declared that she was fit to be in the meeting again.

So an hour later, I was back to awkwardly staring at my family and friends waiting for a cue to start once again.

Mom thankfully was the one to begin "Tell me that was one of your pranks Amy"

I shook my head looking away from her "I'm sorry" I muttered timidly. Where did all my confidence go?

Dad's silence is honestly scaring me more than mom.

"But ho.....how?" She sounded so lost "a predator is......they are...." She glanced at Harold listening attentively and stopped herself from saying whatever she was about to say "Did something happen? Did someone blackmail you?"

"No" I shook my head again "He....I just fell for him. I didn't plan for it to happen. It just did. I'm so sorry. I really love him mom. He's a really nice person. You will love him once you meet...."

"He is not a he. He is a predator" Dad gritted out "Do I need to explain basic biology to you Amy?"

"I couldn't help it" I cried out "I just...."

"You are a grown woman with enough senses to know that what you are uttering is bizarre. It's disgusting" He spat out "It's not a stallion, not a human, not even someone of the equidae family. How could you go near that beast and not feel repulsed by the thought of having a relationship with something like that?"

"And what about your animal? Isn't she scared of the predator?" Mom asked "He could tear you into pieces"

"She is his mate. He wouldn't hurt her" Mia spoke for the first time, dragging everyone's attention to her "They are in a unique situation. His animal lives to protect her" She told my parents "The man loves her more than his life. I have seen it myself. Theirs is something the spirits thought is possible. Even if it was a mistake, it's not their mistake. They couldn't help but feel the bond that the spirits tied them to"

"Mate?" Mom inhaled sharply "Predator's mate?"

"They met twelve years ago, Mrs. Philip. That's when he realized she's his mate" Sophie said "Amy has tried everything in her capacity to do away with the bond that connects them. She even tried to get him mated to someone else. We all tried. We found no solution. Trust me when I say this because I have no love for that predator, the bond will only end with one of their deaths"

Dad slumped down next to mom, his face heating up with each passing moment. I really should have thought this through. I should at least be thankful for the unexpected support from my friends.

"What...what kind of predator?" Dad asked grimly.

"A lion" Harvey answered "He's the Leoline scion"

Another collective gasp ensured from my parents and Harold.

"Leoline" Mom muttered "Cathy...."

"You knew?" It was my turn to be surprised.

Mom took a labored breath before nodding "They came to apologize after the incident"

"Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"You didn't remember his face" dad answered "We thought it would be good for you to not have a face to your nightmares"

"I didn't remember at first but then he approached me to apologize and it all came back to me" I said. My brain had blocked the memories of the incident until Arthur appeared before me that day on my way home from school.

"You have suffered a lot" Dad said

"It wasn't entirely his fault"

"It isn't your fault. I understand that now" He said firmly ignoring my words "Forgive me if I said something that hurt you earlier. It seems like this situation isn't under your control. You weren't given a choice here" he looked at Harvey "Give me some time to think your solution through. We need...."

"I was given a choice" I interrupted "I was given the choice of walking away after putting all the blame on him. He was ready to go feral if it was what I wanted. I chose to stay with him. I chose him dad"

"This society wouldn't let you do that Amy. Even if we tolerate him for you, their people will destroy you" mom said softly "You are a practical person. You should know that. Predators are violent people"

"That's why I said I'm moving mom" I replied "We are moving to one of the human continents"

Another gasp. This time, all six of them.

"Amy" It was Sophie.

"I'm sorry" I told them "I am selfish. I...I love him okay. I love him and I love his animal. And the life of the man I love is at stake here. I am not choosing him over you guys.....I just...." I am blabbering at this point, repeating the same thing over and over again.

"And his death will affect you more than losing every one you know?" dad asked "Losing all the effort you put into building your dreams?"

"I can build my dreams again" I replied softly "Losing you guys will break me if that's what you chose to do. To keep me in your life will be your choice. My love for you guys is not comparable to what I feel for him. Perhaps I can do that in a few years from now, or never, because love isn't comparable. But I know this, I'm a part of your life, a big part of it, yes, but a part. You will be devastated without me but you will live" Mom was weeping at this point "I'm his life mom. Since the day he first met me, his life has revolved around me. He wouldn't survive without me and I wouldn't ever be happy without him. No one will ever match up to him. No one will love me as much as he does. I can't let him go dad"

No one said another word. Mom kept weeping on dad's shoulder and it broke my heart. They look like they are mourning a death.....my death.

"I know this came as a blow to you guys" I said "This is all too sudden. I'm still recovering from the change myself. I'll leave you guys to sleep over it. Mom I'm sorry for making you fall sick. I'll come visit you tomorrow"

"Where are you going?" Harvey jumped up from his seat.

"It's nine in the evening" Dad said solemnly.

"The truth? I'm going to visit Cathy" I looked away as I muttered "To say my farewell to her"

"I'll drive you" Harvey said narrowing his eyes at me. Of course he doesn't trust me. They wouldn't let me go to him no matter how much I beg.

"We will come along" Sophie said. Mia nodded.

I looked at my parents.

"I'll do some thinking" Dad grunted "I might have to talk to some people. You should refrain from making contact with the predator from now on"

"His name is Arthur"

"Your brother will drive you" He dismissed me.

Mom refused to look at me.

_______

I visited Cathy later in the night. I told her how much I loved her, how much I missed her just like every other time I visited.

I didn't talk about Arthur. I didn't know how to begin and where to end. I know I probably should have asked her to forgive me for being such a selfish sister. I couldn't.

Instead I spent the other half of the night in my parents' home packing all the valuable memories I had with her and the rest of the family. By the time dawn arrived, I was ready to go home to Arthur. I was ready to tell him that I love him, ready to face the world with him.

"I am going to take a detour at my palace" I told Harvey on our way back into the city "I have things to pack"

"I'll wait" was his response.

"It will take me the entire damn day Harv"

"You can pack your belongings when the rest of the family does" He argued back.

"You guys need to shut up" Sophie barked from the backseat "You are giving me a headache. I don't care whether you pack your shits or not. The only thing I am worried about right now is my finances. They are going to go downhill if Amy leaves. So the only place we are going from here is the office"

"She's right" Mia joined in "You are moving either with your family or...." She trailed at Harvey's glare "You need to take some hard decisions soon"

Harvey grunted "I'll drop you guys to the office"

With the decisions made, I had no escape. I would have to text Arthur about it. But I promised to meet him. I will have to find my way out once we arrive there.

Turns out fate had something else in its plan.

All our phones with the exception of Harvey started ringing at the same time halfway into our journey. Mine was Jasmine.

"Morning Jas"

"The Islander" she barked "Check their breaking news on their website"

"Islander?" I frowned "What's going on?"

"Shit" Sophie muttered.

"What happened?" I twisted my body to face her from the passenger seat. She held up her phone for me to read. The phone in my hand slid and landed on my lap.

Soulmate or a chosen-mate? Arthur Leoline says he wants them both.

It had a hazy picture of us when Arthur had me pinned against a pillar in the resort and a few of us and Rhea outside her place yesterday.

I slumped against the seat.

"It starts with the day you went to the resort" Mia read her own tab "They waited almost a week to confirm your identity before releasing the pictures"

"Take me home" I managed to say.

Harvey reversed the car and sped towards my place. He dialed our parents and updated them on the news.

I closed my eyes and blocked all their voices out.

It's happening.

The day I dreaded for years is finally here and all I can think is how I never told him how much I love him. I should have told him yesterday when I had the chance.

His people are probably all over him now and he has to answer them without even knowing if I am with him. I can't let that happen. I promised I'll be with him against the world. I can't let him face them alone.

I need to tell him. Now.

I was about to dial him when my phone rang on its own. I smiled as The Devil flashed on my screen.

"Amelia"

"Arthur Leoline" I spoke "Listen and listen to me well. Spirit knows this isn't how I wanted to tell you but there is no way I will let you face them alone. So here it goes without any excuses" He inhaled sharply on the other side of the phone "I love you. I am crazily in love with you and have been for a while now" I smiled through my tears "I think you are the most breathtakingly handsome man I ever met and every time your lion looks at me with those dazzling golden eyes, I feel like the luckiest woman in the entire planet"

The beat of his heart ringing in my ears was the only proof that he was attentively taking in every word I spoke.

"And because I love you so much, the thought of losing you scares me to death. I know I probably wouldn't lose my animal if I lose you but I will lose myself. I wouldn't be able to recover from it in this lifetime. I have never felt for any man what I feel for you and I wouldn't ever be able to love another man like I love you.

You drive me crazy. You make me feel the extremes of everything. You make me feel alive. I think a life with you will be just the adventure I need. You understand what I mean? I need you Arthur. I need you in my life just as much as you need me.

I must be really special to the Spirits. They gifted me with a love so absolute. I was a fool to be ashamed of it. I should have flaunted it for the world to see. I should have told everyone that you are mine.

But it's still not over. Now that I have you, I can't have the society or any other women take you away from me" I continued "It doesn't matter what they say. It doesn't matter what they want you to do for the sake of their stupid laws you are only going to do whatever it takes to keeps us together. I want to be with you Arthur Leoline. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and you are going to make that happen. Do you understand me?"

"Yes" he replied slowly a moment later, his voice hoarse "Yes love"

I smiled against the cold metal, letting my tears flow "You are mine. You and that cute clingy lion of yours belong to me"

"All yours"

"Good" I breathed "I'm going home now and I'm not leaving that place without you"

"I'll come to you" he said "I'll fix everything. Just promise me one thing"

"Hmm?"

"Everything you just said" he breathed harshly "Promise me you will repeat those words again when I can actually see you and touch you. Spirits knows I want to kiss you senseless right now"

"You will have to hurry up for that to happen" I replied.

"Five hours" He growled "Hold on for five hours. I'll send Keith this instant to guard you"

"I'll wait for you"

There was a heavy silence in the car after Arthur hung up with the promise of fixing everything.

"There must be something magical about spirit-bonds" Sophie broke the silence "I never thought I'll ever see you like this Amy"

"I'm sorry guys" I sighed closing my eyes "I tried. You know I tried"

"You didn't do anything wrong. Stop apologizing" Mia said

Another silence followed.

"You really are going to leave us for him" I've never seen my brother this broken.

"I'm not" I answered "I'll call you everyday to virtually kick your butt and you guys can visit me whenever you miss my annoying self"

"You are my twin" he said quietly "I was with you even before we were born. A few of miles is the farthest I thought I would ever be from you. I always thought you would be the clingy twin who will one day announce that we are going to buy the houses next to each other and settle with our spouses there"

"That was my plan" I nodded.

"I thought I would have to kick you out of my space when you suggest that"

"You are mean Harv"

"And now you are the heartless one leaving me behind" He spoke softly.

"It feels like a part of me is being cut away from me" I smiled sadly "I wouldn't know how to function without you"

"Like I'm missing both my arms" he said "Weird"

"Awkward"

"Totally" he agreed

"We need to find you a mate" I could feel the tears sliding down the side of my face "This is an emergency. I can't leave my hand-less brother without help"

"Gross" Mia muttered.

"Good riddance, right?" Harvey commented wiping his own eyes with a roll of his shoulder as he drove.

________

"It's all over the news" Harold said slumping down next to Harvey who promptly turned off the tele.

"I've talked to a few elders explaining your situation. They are coming over with a council member" Dad announced glaring at Keith who sat next to me snarling at anyone who tried to come close to me. I had to plead him to let my mother sit on the other side of me. I have been leaning on her shoulder for a while now.

The bull takes his job too seriously. He was waiting for us at my door when we arrived and hasn't left my side ever since. That was two hours ago. A few more guards arrived with him and have been guarding the premise of my house.

The rest of my family arrived in the meantime. The situation outside escalated quickly when they found out who I was. Bloody news agencies. They have no ethics.

Arthur's men are stopping the press from breaking into my house. One of them even tried to talk to Mrs. Jones. It was fortunate the woman lost her hearing aid again.

"Dad please. We will be out of everyone's hair soon. No one has to know"

"What kind of a parent will I be if I let my daughter leave with a predator?"

"He will never hurt me"

The doorbell rang speeding up my heartbeat for a moment before I realized that the people on the other end smelled nothing like Arthur.

"They are here" dad said getting up from the couch to move to the door.

"Dad" I can't believe this.

"It's all for your safety" He responded.

And that is how I found myself sitting face to face with some of the most ancient shifters of my community. I swear some of them were older than my dead great-grandparents. The look they gave me was of pure disgust. Unlike my parents, they didn't have a personal loss to think of here.

"A predator's mate?" The oldest granny among the oldies spat out "That's preposterous. How do we know they aren't lying?"

________