“I want to hear why you think that, but before I do, we have to talk about your mate. Why did you claim Brian and then leave him without giving him a chance to claim you?” asked Kieran.
“I never claimed him,” Reif said, “Who told you I claimed him?”
“Did you kiss him?”
“Yes, but I swear, I didn’t do anything else. He was sleeping for fuck’s sake.”
Kieran tilted his head and listened to his spirit, before saying, “Reif, a wolf shifter is claimed when they are bitten on their neck. Serpents are claimed when they kiss their Fated Mates. A Sea Dragon is a type of serpent so when you kissed Brian…”
“Oh, my fucking gods! You have got to be shittin’ me! I can’t have a mate! No! No! No! This is the worst thing ever!” Reif cried.
“Why? The Fates have given you the best gift a shifter can ever receive. Is it because Brian is older than you?” asked Kieran.
Agitated at hearing he’d claimed his mate, Reif jumped to his feet and began pacing, trying to figure out what to do now. If the man found out he’d taken a mate, then who knew what he’d do to Reif’s father…nothing good that’s for sure. Shit, shit, shit! What the fuck should I do now…call my father…definitely…I have to warn him!Stopping in front of Kieran, Reif said, “I have to go…now!”
“Where? What about Brian? If he doesn’t claim you in the next few days, he’ll die,” said Kieran.
“What the fuck are you talking about? He doesn’t have to claim me…I told you I can’t have a mate,” Reif said. “Are we through? Because I really have to leave.”
Placing a hand on Reif’s arm, Kieran said quietly, “No…Reif, please sit…what were you taught about how sea dragons mate?”
Feeling his anxiety abate, Reif relaxed. Sitting down on the bed, he looked at Kieran, and said, “The truth? Nothing. I can’t remember the last time one of my people found their mate and I doubt even the elders would remember.”
“The mating ritual of serpents is the same whether you’re a sea dragon or sea serpent as Brian is. Kissing your Fated Mate claimed his animal and, from that point on, Brian has three days to kiss you or he’ll die,” said Kieran.
“Is that all there is? A kiss?” Reif asked.
“For the animal part of a serpent, yes. When you kissed Brian, what else happened?” asked Kieran. “Did you feel a connection between you and Brian snap into place?”
“Yeah, I was knocked on my ass when it happened, but it’s not very strong now.”
“That’s because Brian hasn’t claimed you yet, but when he does, the bond will be unbreakable,” Kieran said.
“Are you saying it can be broken now?” asked Reif.
“In a way. If Brian doesn’t claim you soon, his animal will die and so will he. If that happens, then the bond will break.”
“Fuck!” Reif yelled, feeling a sharp pain coursing through his heart. “How fucked up is that? Look, I didn’t know I was claiming him when I kissed him. Doesn’t knowledge…like intent…have anything to do with it because I swear, I didn’t mean to claim him. I told you, I can’t have a mate.”
“I understand it was an accident but it happened…without Brian agreeing to it. Do you think it’s fair that what you did should result in him having to face a death sentence?” asked Kieran.
“No, of course not! But what can I do now? How can I choose between my people or my mate? No matter which one I choose the other will suffer from my choice. DAMN!!!!” Reif jumped up again and began pacing. He needed time to think—to sort the mess out—maybe talk to his father—but as the pain grew inside him, he knew time was growing short.
Swirling around to face Kieran, Reif asked, “What happens if I die in the next day or so, will my mate be free of the bond?”
“Yes, but Brian loves you…even though he may not yet know it…and I’m afraid if that happens to you, he’ll die anyway,” Kieran said.
“H-h-he loves me?”
“Yes, Brian has been alone for over 600 years and had given up on ever finding his mate. When he caught your scent, he tried to find you, but failed…he’s very worried about the danger you’re in. That’s why he sought my help…to find you so he could save you. That’s how I know he loves you.”
He loves me? My mate loves me…holy shit…he loves me! Standing there, Reif felt the loneliness of his life fading away replaced by love filling his heart and soul.My mate loves me! Gobsmacked at the realization, Reif lifted a finger to his mouth, rubbing his lips, reliving the feeling of kissing the sea serpent. Running his tongue over his bottom lip as he sought his mate’s taste again, everything snapped into place! Reif knew what his choice would be. “I choose my mate. I want him to claim me.”
“What about your people? What will happen to them? If they are hurt because of your choice, will you blame Brian?” asked Kieran.
“I don’t know…I mean I don’t know what will happen to them but I won’t blame my mate. This is my choice and I’m fully willing to accept the consequences. I know it sounds selfish but my beast is telling me it’s the right choice and I have to trust him.”
Studying Reif’s face, Kieran found only the truth. Standing, he said, “I’ll get Brian. I have one last piece of advice…trust your mate…tell Brian everything…about your people, who created you, what your quest is and what it means to you…everything. Then, come find me and I promise, we will help you save your people.”
