Jason slowed to a shaky walk. His stomach twisted as if it were trying to crawl up his throat. His heart hammered so violently that his vision wobbled. Each step toward Ellie's door felt like volunteering for public humiliation.
He reached the matte black surface. Suddenly, it looked like the door to doom. He stared at the wood, breathing like someone who had forgotten how to breathe. His fingers lifted, hovered, and froze.
What if he was wrong? What if Ellie was not his mate? What if he stood there like an idiot and got laughed at for assuming anything? What was he even supposed to say?
His pulse stumbled, tripping over itself. Panic climbed his spine. Then he remembered the necklace and that single word carved into the pendant: Mine. His fingers curled around it with a death grip. It felt like the only thing keeping him from turning around and sprinting back to Rhea's room.
He could do this. He had to do this.
Jason raised a trembling hand and knocked.
