Read Online Fate Forgotten by J. L. Sheppard - Free Book Online Page B

leapt, she hesitated. She couldn’t believe he’d asked her, couldn’t believe he wanted to see her.
    “You promised Annie you’d teach her the fishy braid.”
    She released a breath. “It’s called a fishtail braid.”
    He smiled, the smile transforming his face, making him look so much more good-looking, unbelievably handsome.
    “A fishtail,” he repeated.
    And she’d get to spend time with him tomorrow, with him and Annie. What would she wear? God, why was she thinking about that? It wasn’t a date. She shook her head. “I’m sorry about earlier.”
    His brows drew together. “Earlier?”
    “You know, I—”
    “Oh, yeah.” He shrugged then, for some reason, grinned. “It’s forgotten.”
    She glanced at Annie, sleeping peacefully draped across his chest and smiled, but not confident or sexy like his, a nervous, shy smile.
    Reluctant to leave, she willed her body to move away. After several seconds, she managed it.
    “Goodbye.” She turned.
    “You mean ‘goodnight’ ’cause we’ll see you tomorrow?”
    Turning again, she met his gaze and nodded. “Yes, goodnight.”
    ****
    Jacob watched her walk away, craving her so bad it burned, but he had no choice. He had to let her go. She didn’t know she belonged to him. He couldn’t just blurt it out, so he consoled himself knowing she wouldn’t be far away.
    Finally discovering the source of the haunting scent, he’d found her—his fated mate. The revelation after more than five hundred years, after all he’d lost, startling. More so, the fact she’d been within his reach, living in the same building and he hadn’t known.
    Valerie.
    A stunning witch, beautiful beyond words, beyond comprehension was his, a precious gift. The gift, the woman immortal males waited their endless lives for. Among all the heartache he’d endured in his lifetime, she made it worth it.
    He should have known. He’d been entranced by the hint of her scent, hadn’t been able to fight it. Unconsciously, he thought about the scent, dreamt about it, and wondered, but never searched.
    Once, a long time ago, he had fallen in love, but never believed, fully comprehended the appeal of fated mates, until he saw her. Now, he knew and understood, the pull, the attraction, what it meant. He and she were destined, fated to spend their lives together. It had taken but a glimpse. With a look, she stole his heart. His beautiful witch bewitched him.
    His first love had warned him. She tried to make him believe in fated mates, but nothing had until Valerie.
    If only he’d ventured outside his apartment and met the rescued witch. He had opportunities. Ashley wanted him to meet her. Had he, he would’ve discovered she was meant for him. He didn’t know much about her, only she’d been rescued. Even so, he didn’t know why, what they’d saved her from or how. In fact, he hadn’t cared, not until he realized she was his. Now, he needed to know everything.
    Remorse filled him. He stared down at the ground and shook his head. If only he’d comprehended the magnitude of the pull and believed in it, he would’ve lived differently. He would have mourned the loss of his first love and moved on. He would’ve never allowed the loss to make him the man he was now: angry and bitter, losing out on time with his sister, time he could never get back. Maybe then, his fated wouldn’t fear him.
    He sighed heavily. His gaze darted toward Annie’s sleeping face. He kissed the top of her head and smiled. If he could rewrite his life, he’d change his actions and attempt to alter his temperament, but not the surprises life had thrown at him, not Annie. He wished his sister was still alive. He wanted the best for Annie. Only his sister, her mother, would raise her best, but in the end, he wasn’t bitter about the outcome. She needed him, and he needed her. Annie brought out the best in him.
    His life had just gotten thrice as complicated, yet he couldn’t find the strength or will to be angry, not