I thumped him on his nose. “Not funny. I about peed my pants.”
More huffing and a deep inhale.
My eyes narrowed. “Okay, maybe I wet them a little.”
* * *
With a fresh pair of underwear and pants on, stolen from Poppy’s bedroom, I sat across from Rune in the kitchen. I munched on a meal of a brisket sandwich and fries. Someone had ordered in for the group. They were all here in the house—mansion—but they were giving us privacy and talking quietly amongst themselves on how to handle Godric’s funeral. It was now a reality.
Poppy was nowhere to be seen.
Rune wasn’t eating, but he wasn’t furry anymore, either. “Are you ready to start again?”
I nodded. “What’s a seer?”
“We have one seer. He’s our enforcer and gives mercy deaths when requested. He has special powers that none of us have.” Rune flicked his wrist toward the doorway. “Cassander is our seer.”
This was a lot easier to listen to—and believe, having seen him shift. “And a mate?”
“Mates are a shifter’s one and only. The magic picks them. Shifters can only reproduce with their intended mate. They’re all human, and we find them through intercourse.”
I took another bite of my sandwich, studying him. “I’m your mate, aren’t I?”
His head cocked, and his brows rose. “Why would you think that?”
“Because you don’t act like a playboy around me.”
He chuckled. “I may need to up my game.”
“You didn’t answer me.” I took another bite, calm and collected.
Golden eyes studied mine. “Would you run away if I said yes?”
“So…you’re afraid of my disappearing acts?”
“You are very good at them,” he answered honestly.
I placed my sandwich down on my plate and sat back and crossed my arms. “I won’t run away. But I’m not sure about a relationship. I’ve never really had one. I don’t know how to do them.”
The simple fact was…this man could handle my father. I hadn’t expected that. My father was the only reason why I shied away from getting close to someone.
The hunter was studying me carefully. Golden, intelligent eyes ran over my features.
A few times. Waiting for a crack in my exterior.
He wouldn’t find it. Eventually, he responded slowly, “You are my mate.”
I nodded. “Thought so.”
Rune sat back in his chair, his eyes ever watchful. Ready to pounce.
“Do you even want a mate?” I questioned—blunt and to the point.
“Honestly?”
“Yes.”
“I’m a little like you. I don’t really know how to do relationships.” He shrugged his masculine shoulders, the shirt bunching over his muscles. “But you aren’t what I was expecting. It’s a pleasant surprise.”
