CHAPTER 5
I NEED TO KNOW IF I'VE DESTROYED THEIR FUTURE.
The flickering lights of the destroyed bar cast an eerie glow over Zandia's face as her eyes bored into mine. It was hard to believe I was still in the destroyed remains of the building. So much had changed in the last few hours… my entire world had shifted.
"Zandia," I finally managed, my voice barely above a whisper. "Can I claim all of my mates?"
A wicked smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Oh, Parker," she sighed, shaking her head. "Those shifters have absolutely no idea what the mating ritual actually consists of."
Her words sent a shiver down my spine. She knew the answer I needed, but I wasn't sure if she'd give it to me. "Please, tell me more," I urged, feeling desperation clawing at my chest. "I need to know if I've destroyed their future."
"Years of legend and rumor have infused themselves into the tradition," Zandia explained, her voice laced with amusement. "Everyone does it differently, but really, all it takes is three consensual matings between two shifters."
"Three matings?" I repeated, trying to wrap my head around the concept. What did that mean for me? For my mates? There was no way we'd have enough time to do three of them.
"Exactly," she confirmed, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Three matings where you declare your claim consensually and come with each other. Then the bond will be complete."
My heart pounded wildly in my chest at the thought of how little time we must have left. Why couldn't I remember exactly how many days had passed? Not that it mattered. Even if I could, my time in the hell realms distorted that.
"Zandia," I whispered, swallowing hard, but the rest of my words wouldn't come out. The idea was so horrible I couldn't even get my voice to make them exist.
"Ah, sweet Parker," she murmured, reaching out to caress my cheek. "Fear is a natural part of this process, but you must learn to trust in yourself and the bond you share with your mates."
"Trust," I repeated, as if tasting the word on my tongue. It was easier said than done.
"What if," I tried, gathering my courage. "What if there are more than two shifters meant to be together? How does it work then?"
"Good question," she replied with a sly smile. She kicked a piece of debris, sending it skittering over the floor and leaving a dust trail. "If there are more shifters fated to be together, then it's one claiming with each of them. Once all of them have claimed their mate, then they will be bonded just like a shifter couple."
I blinked, trying to process the information. Relief washed through me. We had time. The more I thought about her words, the more they felt right.
"Also," Zandia added, "anatomy doesn't matter either. It is the act of coming together while giving yourself over to the other person that creates the bond."
I stared at her, my mind racing. So many questions swirled in my head, but I knew I shouldn't push my luck asking too many. Instead, I focused on the ones that mattered most.
"Thank you, Zandia," I whispered, feeling a newfound determination rising within me. If I wanted to claim all of my mates and form the bond that would keep us together, I needed to be strong, assertive, and not let fear control me. That and kick the ass of anyone who tried to separate us. Except for Zandia. I was fairly confident that she would return them as soon as we were done talking.
"I have one more," I hesitated, unsure if I should continue. She remained silent, her gaze focused on me. As she watched my every move, it felt like she was analyzing my thoughts before they even left my lips.
Taking a deep breath, I finally mustered the courage to ask. "If what you say is true, then why did the mating with Ryker not work?"
"Ah," Zandia replied, her eyes narrowing on me as she brushed dust off her shirt. "It would work now. There was something else that caused it not to work at the time. A block, if you will. It had nothing to do with the bond itself or either of you."
My heart felt like a ticking time bomb, each beat reverberating throughout my body. What could that mean? My mind raced through the possibilities, trying to grasp what she was hinting at. But Zandia's cryptic response left me with more questions than answers.
"Can you tell me what that 'something else' was?" I pressed, knowing it might be pushing my luck.
Zandia's smile and playful demeanor disappeared, leaving the cold, emotionless woman I'd first met. I suspected I'd witnessed something rare… a side of her that she didn't show often. Or at all. "I believe I've given you enough information for now, Parker," she said, her voice like ice. "The rest is up to you to figure out."
I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to scream in frustration. At least she had given me some answers, but it was like being handed a puzzle with half the pieces missing.
"Fine," I muttered, focusing on the newfound hope that I could claim all of my mates and create the bond we so desperately needed. And as for that elusive 'something else,' well, I'd figure it out before the Hesolga overtook my mates. Because nothing would keep me from my Tsigos, not even the most powerful demon in existence. Stupid gene donor.
"Before I take my leave, Parker," Zandia said, keeping her neutral tone, "I must congratulate you on your promotion to head of the division. Quite an accomplishment for someone like you."
"Someone like me?" I bristled at the condescending undertone, but chose not to retaliate. I was already treading on thin ice with her.
"Indeed," she continued, ignoring my reaction. "On top of that, you'll be in charge of all the teams, including your own."
