Laurie shook her head. “I’ve considered that possibility, and I don’t think so. I’m mixed myself. No one ever tried to keep me from befriending their kids as a child growing up. I know most of the shifters who live in the area. None of them ever insinuated I wouldn’t be appropriate mate material for their sons. I just never felt this level of hatred.”
Mimi released her pursed lips and spoke in her gentle voice. “It must be so hard for you.”
Laurie nodded. “I’m not suggesting I can’t take the heat. I’m just concerned that I’m not meant to. What if these people standing in our way are part of Nature’s grand plan to put a wedge between the three of us? What if we really aren’t meant to be together and our mating is upsetting the universe instead of helping things?”
“You can’t think like that,” Melinda said. “It’s damaging. Besides, if you weren’t meant to be mated to Corbin and Zach, Mimi would know.”
Laurie shifted her gaze back to Mimi. Would she? And would she tell her?
Was it possible she’d made a horrible mistake and Fate was displeased?
Unease crept up her spine as she considered the possibility.
“Child, you could no more have prevented that mating than you could have kept the weather from forming that day. You’re simply not that powerful. I know at times there’s the temptation to believe you’re the root cause of all evil, but you’re a pawn like the rest of us, at the mercy of the universe.” Mimi rubbed her hands together and blew on them. She lifted her face toward the sky and squinted into the bright rays of sun.
It was still early in the day. Almost nine. The sun wasn’t very high in the sky yet. Laurie should be exhausted. She’d slept only a few hours last night before all hell broke loose. Instead, her adrenaline was pumping as she tried to make sense of her world.
“I told Mimi that you and I are able to communicate telepathically.” Melinda gave the swing another leisurely push.
Mimi nodded. “Amazing. I would love to be able to join in that union .” She shrugged. “Perhaps I’m not meant to experience such a novelty at my age.”
Melinda set her hand on Mimi’s thigh and squeezed. “You have such an unbelievable power even without that extra connection, it never ceases to amaze me.” Melinda turned toward Laurie. “The woman has this uncanny ability to sense even when someone’s coming to see her. She’s often sitting on the porch waiting.” She twisted her head back to Mimi. “I’m betting you’ll reach out to us when the time is right. I feel a strong sense that something huge is headed our way.”
“Yeah,” Laurie quipped, “like me and my mates being murdered in our sleep because no one believes we should be destined for each other.”
“Hardly.” Melinda leaned forward, stopping the swing with both feet. “Stop thinking that way. It’s ridiculous, and you know it. Look me in the eye and tell me you honestly believe you don’t belong to both of those men?” She hesitated.
Laurie swallowed. She didn’t blink. She knew in her soul she belonged with Corbin and Zach, but was it what Fate wanted?
“You can’t do it. Because it’s not true. So, change your angle on this. Trust me. I’ve been dealing with weird feelings of impending doom for two years. I get it. It’s bigger than us. It’s more than each of our individual issues. I can feel the air growing thicker with each passing day, swirling around me, begging me to pay attention.”
“What does it mean?” Laurie asked, knowing Melinda didn’t have the answer.
Melinda shrugged. “Not a clue. But when the time is right, I always get the piece of the puzzle I need. It might not be conventional. I’m often frustrated, but eventually things fall into place. And they will this time too. Fate is bringing our family together with the Masters for a reason. She has plans for us. We can’t question Her motives. We have no other options but to listen to Her when She blows in the breeze and grab on to Her nudging. It’s all we have.”
Mimi spoke again. “What else has happened, sweet girl?”
Laurie leaned back. “When I touch people, I get a vibe.”
Mimi smiled broadly. “You’re becoming more like us with each passing day. It’s amazing how quickly you’ve blossomed when we weren’t sure just a week ago it was even possible for you to tap into your shaman side. In fact, I wouldn’t have been able to say if more than one shaman truly could exist in a given generation. Apparently so.
“And I have no doubt when Joyce returns to the fold, she too will smoothly transition into her powers. The land is begging for it. We must take heed.”