Lakota let go of the branch and dusted off his hands.“You taught me to think for myself and question everything, which is what I did in your class every chance I had.You taught me self-reliance and how to pay attention.That’s why I’m out here right now, Uncle.I’m paying attention.”Lakota tapped his temple for emphasis.“You were acting funny on the ride home.Is it about the baby shower tomorrow?Look, you don’t have to be there during the whole thing, but it’s a pack function and not exactly optional.You knew what you were signing up for when you joined a pack.”
“That’s not it.”
“Then why do you look like someone ran over your dog?”
Lucian branched away.“I ate something that disagreed with me.”
“Is that how you want to tell it?”Lakota fell into step beside him.“If you can’t talk to any of these jokers, you can talk to me.We’re family, and anything you say to me stays between us.I’m also the second-in-command, and it’s my job to check in on everyone and see if there’s something going on.”
After putting his shirt back on, Lucian left it unbuttoned and enjoyed the cool breeze as they ambled up the paved drive leading to their house.
“The Gathering’s coming up soon,” Lakota tossed out like a curveball.“One in Austin and one in Dallas.The other big cities in Texas are on a different rotation.Maybe you should check it out.If you don’t want to go alone, I’ll tag along.”
Lucian smirked.“They wouldn’t let you through the door.Chitahs only.”
“I’m mated, so I’m hardly a threat to the dating pool.”
“They don’t want you learning about our secret rituals.”
Lakota frowned.“What rituals?”
“We strip off our clothes and dance naked in a circle while the females toss acorns at us to symbolize fertility.”When Lucian realized that Lakota actually believed him, he belted out a laugh.“Sucker.”
Lakota socked him in the shoulder.“Seriously though.You’ve seen all the females in this town and haven’t shown interest.You’re not going to find your kindred spirit sitting at home.Maybe you’ll have better luck in a different city.”
The Gathering took place every three years locally, five years nationally, and then six years globally.The national events were harder to coordinate, and not everyone attended.It was a well-organized event that lasted several days and gave Chitahs the opportunity to search for their kindred spirit.Only males knew their match immediately by scent.From there, they would have to prove their worth to win her love.
Lucian spied Catcher running across the meadow on the left.“What makes you think I care about a mate?”
“I don’t know.Maybe you’re feeling left out again.”
“Again?”
Lakota halted.“Look, I know it wasn’t easy living in a house where people found their life partner and raised kids.And I know that because it was never easy on Uncle Levi.The only difference between you two is that he talks about his feelings and you stuff them inside a tomb and lower them into the Baltic Sea.”
“Tomb is the wrong word.You mean a burial vault or a coffin.I knew you weren’t paying attention in class.”Lucian quirked a smile before resuming their walk.
“I suck at history and all that garbage about Vampire burials.Look, I’m serious.We can travel to any city you want that’s holding a Gathering.The global one’s coming up next year in Paris, France.I know how they’re not all in sync, so that means you have better chances of finding your soulmate if you go to enough of them.Even if you don’t find her, Chitahs settle all the time.No shame in that, and I’m sure there are plenty of great gals who would love themselves a nerdy guy who watches cartoons and obsessively takes apart everything to see how it works.Mel can come, and we’ll make it a road trip.”
“No, thanks.Too much to do around here.”
“Right.Like sitting in a tree all night.You weren’t this reclusive when I was little.I figured it had something to do with the soulmate thing.You can’t sit around and sulk about it if you’re not actively trying to find her.”
An owl hooted from a nearby tree as if complaining about their presence.
Lucian wished Lakota would drop the subject, but arguing might open up a can of worms, and he wasn’t ready for that can to open.
Lakota flipped his hair back.“When I was about ten, I asked you if you believed in magic.Do you remember what you said?”
“No.”
“You told me that science is magic.I believed you.”
“Would you rather I lied and told you that aliens make crop circles and fairies live in the woods?”
“You were wrong.”Lakota searched for his eyes in the darkness.“Love is magic.It’s the thing we can’t explain.”
“Pheromones, arousal, and alcohol.”
