Stephanie’s POV
I led Sarah to my bedroom, quietly shutting the door behind us. She had been silent the entire way up, but now, she was watching me with an expression I couldn’t quite place.
“What?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
She tilted her head. “You didn’t tell me you’ve met your mate.”
I blinked, completely thrown off. “What are you talking about?”
Sarah’s lips curled into a knowing smirk, but then her expression shifted to one of confusion. “Wait-you don’t know?”
I crossed my arms. “Know what?”
Her confusion faded into amusement. “Oh, now I get it,” she laughed, shaking her head. “I was wondering why your energy felt different. But now it makes sense.”
I frowned. “What makes sense?”
She gave me a pointed look. “You look more radiant, Steph. Stronger. Happier.” She paused, studying me. “Don’t you know why?”
I scoffed. “I haven’t noticed anything.”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Liar. You’re just trying to push it down.”
I stiffened. “That’s not-”
She cut me off, stepping closer. “You know John is your mate. So why aren’t you doing anything about it?”
I inhaled sharply, my heart slamming against my chest. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Sarah gave me a knowing look. “Sure, you don’t.”
Silence stretched between us. I could feel my pulse quicken, my mind racing. John… my mate? That didn’t make sense.
Sarah sighed, clearly unimpressed. “I know you’re going to act dumb, so I’ll let you be. But once we rescue Reyna, you won’t have an excuse anymore.”
With that, she turned and walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.
I stood there, my mind spinning.
John. My mate?
No. That couldn’t be right.
But then…
The last party.
Before Reyna was taken, I had woken up in the middle of the night with a strange pull in my chest. I hadn’t understood it at the time, but it had led me straight to John’s door. I had stood there for what felt like forever, staring at it, my heart pounding for no reason I could explain.
But being his mate?
I swallowed hard.
I didn’t get that part.
I waited until Sarah stepped out of the bathroom, her damp hair clinging to her shoulders, before I finally spoke. “Okay, tell me what you meant earlier.”
She glanced at me as she dried her hair with a towel. “About what?”
I gave her a pointed look. “About John. About this… energy you claim to feel.”
Sarah smirked and sat on the edge of the bed. “I was trying to understand where this energy around you was coming from. At first, I thought maybe it was just the stress of everything happening, but now…” She tilted her head, studying me. “Now, I know exactly where it’s coming from.”
I folded my arms. “And?”
Her smirk widened. “It’s your mate bond, Steph. Whether you want to admit it or not.”
I exhaled, shaking my head. “That’s impossible.”
Sarah chuckled. “Is it? Tell me something-haven’t you felt different lately? Stronger? A little more in tune with yourself?”
I hesitated. Now that she mentioned it…
“I…” I started, but Sarah cut me off.
“I know you don’t want to believe it, but trust me, John is your mate. And I’m sure he doesn’t know either. Right now, he’s still caught up with Reyna, but just watch, once she’s found and brought back, things will change.”
I narrowed my eyes. “How do you know that?”
Sarah leaned back on her hands, smirking again. “Because I know a lot of things, baby sister. A whole lot of things.”
I let out a breathless laugh, shaking my head. “You always did like keeping secrets.”
She grinned. “Not secrets just things people aren’t ready to hear.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. My mind was still reeling from the idea that John could be my mate. But for now, I decided to let it go.
Instead, I reached forward and wrapped my arms around her. “I’m just happy we’re finally together again.”
Sarah hugged me back, squeezing tightly. “Me too. It’s been too long.”
I smiled, holding on a little longer. After all these years, after everything we had both been through, we were finally under the same roof again.
And no matter what happened next, I wasn’t going to let anything take her away from me again.
____
John’s POV
Jake was fuming as we stepped into my office, his footsteps heavy against the floor. I locked the door behind us, not wanting Stephanie or Sarah to overhear.
He turned on me the second we were alone. “Do you trust that girl?” His voice was sharp, edged with frustration.
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. “Sarah?”
“Who else?” He scoffed. “I’ve already lost my trust in Stephanie for lying to us for so long. Now she drags in her sister, and we’re just supposed to go along with it?”
I studied him carefully. Jake wasn’t just angry-he was exhausted, his patience running on fumes.
“Do you think Reyna knew?” I asked him. “That Stephanie was a rogue?”
He hesitated, then shook his head. “No. Reyna isn’t like that. If she had known, she would’ve told us.”
That much, I believed. Reyna had never been one to keep secrets, not from us.
Jake let out a slow breath, his fists clenched at his sides. “Any wrong move from Sarah or Stephanie… and I’ll end them. I swear it, John. I won’t hesitate.”
I stepped closer, keeping my voice calm. “We need to be careful, Jake. If we’re reckless, we could lose Reyna. And you know damn well that the moment Damon gets a hint of what we’re trying to do, he’ll hurt her.”
His jaw tightened, but he nodded. “I know.”
I watched him carefully. “Then stay calm. We can’t afford any mistakes.”
He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. “I’m gonna go rest.”
I arched a brow. “You mean, sit and glare at the walls all night?”
He smirked, but there was no humor in it. “Pretty much. I don’t trust Sarah, and first thing in the morning, she’s going to help us figure out the best way to end Damon.”
I nodded, watching as he turned toward the door.
Jake was holding on by a thread, and honestly, so was I. But we had no choice-we had to play this smart.
Because if we lost control now… we might lose Reyna forever.