“I hope they’re okay. I’m guessing this doesn’t happen often?” Evan’s nostrils flare as his bright eyes rake over me. I step forward and place my hand on his forearm. “It’s okay, we’ll find them,” I soothe him. Evan stares down at my hand on his arm, his lips turned down in a frown. “Is everything okay?” I inquire, getting a bad feeling in my stomach.
“I marked you, claimed you,” he blurts.
He’s so loud, I recoil. “Is that bad?” I search his eyes, then peer over at Griffin, who seems to be awfully quiet, but then I notice the way he’s glowering at Evan, and it’s not a nice look.
Evan opens his mouth, but Griffin is the one to speak. “He bound you to him without your permission.”
I furrow my brow. “Bound, what does that mean?”
“I claimed you as my mate.” He swallows, not meeting my eyes but struggling to look away from me.
I reach up with my right hand and place my fingers over the spot where he bit me. “Does that mean I’m a bear shifter now or something?” I question, only half joking.
“No, but it does mean you’re tied to me forever. If I die, chances are you will too,” he states solemnly.
“Are you not supposed to do that with a human or something? I’m getting the impression this is a very big deal.” I gulp. The gravity of his words just aren’t sinking in yet. It seems so hard to believe, even for a girl who grew up knowing vampires and shifters are real, that something like a bite could tie me to him in the way he’s saying.
“It’s not a big deal because you’re human, it’s a big fucking deal because he did it without your permission,” Griffin snarls, but the anger isn’t directed at me.
Evan lowers his head. My heart aches, he looks absolutely devastated. “You really weren’t joking around when you said you were going to keep me, huh?” I try to make light of the situation, but it falls flat.
Evan’s shoulders actually dip a little more. I take two steps and peer up at him from close to his chest so he’s forced to look at me. “I’m sure there’s a lot we need to talk about, but right now, there are a bunch of kids who need you.” His eyes dart back and forth between mine.
“Please don’t leave, let me explain,” he pleads softly.
“I’m not going anywhere, Evan,” I tell him with certainty. He snakes his arms out and wraps them around me in possibly the tightest hug I’ve ever been given. The phrase ‘bear hug’ really does fit the situation.
I feel his lips against the top of my head as he whispers, “I’m sorry I have to go.” He releases me.
“It’s okay, we’ll come help too.” I motion to Griffin, who’s still glaring daggers at Evan.
“Thanks.” He nods. “I’m going to get dressed.”
“Okay, me too.” I keep talking because he does. It’s like he needs the reassurance.
“We’ll talk later, right?” he asks.
“Yes, later,” I promise. “Go find them.” He finally moves past me and into the room. Within seconds, he’s back out in a loose T-shirt and I’m pretty sure the same jeans he wore yesterday.
“My phone’s dead, I forgot to put in on the charger,” Evan mumbles, holding it in his hand.
“I’ll find you after we get ready,” Griffin says coldly, but at least he’s not being openly hostile.
“Yeah, okay.” Evan lingers near the bedroom door.
“It won’t take long. We’ll be down soon,” I assure him, trying to ease his anxiety. Evan bursts into action at my words, making his way past Griffin and me to the door.
“Later?” he questions again while looking at me with the door already open.
“Yeah, later,” I confirm again. Then he’s gone.
Evan
I take one last look at Quinn before letting the door close between us. I want to ignore the kids, but I can’t. Quinn wouldn’t want me to anyway. More than likely, they’re out on the grounds somewhere or in some old room and they lost track of time.
Once I reach the first floor, I open the door to the middle wing. Several heads turn in my direction. It’s clear Joe delivered my orders, since groups are already paired off, and by the looks of it, they’re discussing where to search. I get a few nods as I pass them, but I don’t waste time sticking around. I head right to the briefing room where we usually hold our weekly meetings.
The door’s already open, and Letty is standing near the back wall. She draws my attention first because she’s positioned where I usually am. Will is on Letty’s left, and everyone else in the room seems to be talking, but both of them were watching the door, possibly waiting for me. Letty reaches for something on one of the tables and takes a few steps to the right as she does so, moving away from the focal point of the room. The noise level in the room drops as I enter.
