“You’re unable to speak, beautiful?” Archer asked, not missing a beat. Her cheeks took on a lovely scarlet hue, and she wrote something else on the board.
I have been mute most of my life. Do you have any other questions about my art?
I was shocked. Not in a bad way. Our mate was mute. Couldn’t speak. I made notes of my own in my head.Learn sign language. Find out all the ways to accommodate our mate.
“Could we speak to you privately, Sylvia? If you don’t mind? I mean, we would speak, not you. I-I’m making a fool of myself.”
Sylvia silently giggled, her cheeks reddening even more.
And then she nodded.
Fumbling idiot for the win.
Chapter Nine
Sylvia
Lily and Rumor and others from the pack were present. Nothing could happen to me. They would make sure of it. But I had been hiding for so long, I wasn’t sure how to feel about everything that had just been set in motion. These males swooped in and carried me off to see the rest of the market as though it were the most ordinary thing in the world.
As if we’d known one another our whole lives.
“Have you been here before?” asked one of the males. Archer. “Maybe you can show us around.”
I signed no, but then added a headshake because I had no reason to think they’d have understood.
“Then I guess we all can explore together.” He offered a smile so brilliant, I caught my breath. “If you’re up for it.”
I shrugged, but allowed them to carry me along with them from one booth to another.
“If there’s anything you’d like,” the one named Talon said, “just point. We’d love to get you something to remember our first time spent together.”
I had zero intention of letting these guys spend money on me. I didn’t even know them. Yet there was something…
After we’d admired some macrame and a stack of pumpkins of all shapes, sizes, and colors, Dax handed me a tiny one. “Cute, isn’t it?”
It was adorable, and I didn’t object when Talon handed the vendor a few dollar bills. Since they’d closed in around me, I’d had no desire to run for the restroom or anywhere else, but I didn’t know why. They smelled amazing, like everything good and beautiful about fall but more. Whatever shaving lotion or cologne they were wearing, it was the most masculine yet nonthreatening. Not that they all smelled alike, but each one was perfect for him.
“We’re a scent match,” Archer said.
I had never heard of that and waved, asking him to tell me more without, of course, the words to ask.
“You’re our mate, but on a very special level.”
Thrown off by his words, I inhaled their scent, comforted but also uneasy. When I arrived here, I’d been overwhelmed by all the strangers, but now, those vendors and all the shoppers faded into the background as my attention was absorbed by these three males who had just told me we were destined to be together. Did they have the same reaction to my scent I did to theirs? And should I be glad or sorry I managed to get that shower in because how did that affect scent?
Although we were passing so many unique stands with all sorts of wonderful things, it was hard to concentrate on them when all I could focus on was the scent of these males and the sounds of their voices. Used to being mute for such a long time, I had never been this frustrated at not being able to speak.
The food stands offered all manner of sweet and savory treats, but I had no appetite. Not now. Food was too…too ordinary. I had never felt this way before, which was what everyone said was the case when you met your mate or mates, but I had barely gotten it together enough to paint flowers and sunsets in a turret.
No way I could leap into a mated relationship with the three of them. Not that they were pushing it or anything, but they seemed so confident that this was the way things were. That I would understand.
“Would you like a lumpia?” Archer asked. “They look really good.”
I shook my head but waved, hoping they’d understand that I wanted them to go ahead and eat. I’d had that croissant and coffee, so I probably wouldn’t be hungry this soon anyway, but these three large males must need to eat a lot to maintain their physiques.
“Let’s see what else there is,” Talon said, and I felt bad that they didn’t get what they wanted and decided that the next thing one of them mentioned, I’d agree to, just so they would get food. The next thing turned out to be empanadas, and when Archer pointed the stand out, I nodded as enthusiastically as I could manage, hoping the butterflies in my tummy could tolerate the deep-fried beef pies.
They were incredible, but not as great as watching the guys eat theirs and really enjoy them. The wholetime we walked around, we were in full sight of my family and friends, which I’d thought would make me feel less uncomfortable, but since that was not what I was experiencing, it didn’t matter.
