Chapter 20 : Shawn's Promise

*Shawn*

I’m still grinning like a fool long after Vanessa leaves for her rounds.

It’s odd to think of how far we’ve come and how much she’s begun to trust me.

I can still see her shy smile and still feel her lips pressed against mine. And even though she’s not ready to name whatever this is we have between us, I’m more than willing to wait until she’s sure.

I still can’t believe she’s real, sometimes. I’ve watched her grow in these last few months and rise so far above the state she was in when I first found her. I knew then that she was a fighter and she’s only continued to prove me right.

She may not see it in herself, but she’d make for an amazing leader.

I have to thank the Goddess that even though I am not her fated mate, the dumbass that was chosen just happened to be the biggest idiot alive —luckily for me. Even though I will never understand how he could possibly have let Vanessa slip through his fingers, I’m definitely not going to be ungrateful for his stupidity.