“I came back early.” Leonie took a seat next to Rufus, picking up a toasting stick. “I was talking with the girls, and it got me thinking. There’s something I need to ask you.”
“That’s great, because Shan has something he wants to say to you, too.” Estelle elbowed him in the side. “Don’t you, Shan?”
“Me first.” Leonie impaled a marshmallow, not looking at him. “Shan, have you ever met your mate?”
The world dropped out from underneath him.
“Huh?” Tiff said. “Why’d you ask that?”
“Just realized it would explain a lot.” Leonie stuck her marshmallow into the flames. “Well, Shan?”
His mouth had gone utterly dry. He swallowed, doing his best to match Leonie’s casual tone. “I am not mated.”
“I know.” She still hadn’t looked at him. “And that’s not what I asked.”
Estelle and Beth were both open mouthed, staring at him like owls. Tiff just looked confused. Rufus had his head bent, carefully sandwiching a marshmallow between two graham crackers, but his golden eyes gleamed through his thick hair.
Perhaps he could have evaded the question, even with Rufus present. The boy had known his secret all along, after all, and had never told Leonie. Maybe he still could have lied.
But that would be one step closer to embracing the monster. To becoming his father.
“Yes,” he said.
“You have?” Tiff exclaimed. “How come you never said?”
The answer to that was filled with hunger and shame. He went for the tamest, most child-appropriate version of the truth. “I thought it best to keep it to myself.”
“Well, you’ve got to spill the tea now,” Estelle said slyly. “What’s she like?”
The fire crackled and spat. He didn’t dare glance at Leonie.
“Strong,” he said at last. “Selfless. Too much so sometimes, I think. The sort of person who would sacrifice everything for the sake of someone they loved, without being asked. Even if that person did not want them to.”
“Hmm,” said Leonie. He couldn’t interpret her tone at all. “It seems to me that you’re very much alike, then.”
Tiff tugged at his sleeve. “But Shan, if you’ve met your fated mate, how come you’re not together? Haven’t you told her she’s your mate?”
“I don’t have to,” he said softly. “She already knows.”
“Well, I think you should tell her how you really feel about her,” Beth announced. “Don’t you, Leonie?”
Whatever reply Leonie might have made was lost in the clanging of the camp bell. All around the central area, counselors started gathering their campers, herding them toward the cabins.
“Bedtime, kids,” Leonie announced. She set her marshmallow aside. “Go and brush your teeth. We’ll be along to supervise shortly. I need to have a word with Shan first.”
The kids reluctantly departed, though not without many backward glances. Rufus was the last to leave. He gave them both a long, thoughtful look before padding silently away.
“Leonie,” he started.
She held up a hand, cutting him off. He could only stand there, unspoken explanations and excuses choking his throat, as the central area slowly emptied.
Finally, they were alone. Leonie turned to face him at last. She met his eyes, and the words died in his mouth.
“You had your chance to speak, Shan,” she said quietly. “It’s my turn, I think.”
In the dying firelight, her eyes were clear and hard as amber. His own were still hidden, but there was no hiding now. All he could do was nod, and wait for her judgement.
“I know you’re afraid of your animal.” There was no accusation in her voice, but no warmth, either. “You must have experienced something terrible to make you so certain you have to bury half your own soul. For all I know, you may be right. Maybe itisa monster. Maybe youaredoomed to slowly lose the appearance of humanity. Maybe the best thing you can do for your mate is to leave her to live her own life, free of all your complications.But that is not your choice to make.”
