“Your assumption would be correct. Mating and bonding aren’t something I learned about in my species class. Not that it should be, or shouldn’t be? I’m not sure, it seems kind of private, and the whole humans and supernaturals getting along is still relatively new.” I’m rambling again. Evan rubs his hand over his face. “You’re making me really nervous,” I confess.
“I’m sorry, I don’t want to freak you out,” he says quickly.
“Just tell me what you want me to know.”
Evan turns his head so he’s finally looking straight at me, then he licks his lips and admits, “Last night, I bound the two of us together. Forever. There’s no taking it back.” His eyes are a bit wide, like he’s terrified of my reaction. Frankly, I’m a little worried about my own reaction. I was never even willing to get serious with a man, and suddenly, I find out I’m locked into a lifelong relationship with someone I’ve only known a short time, and the only feelings I have are relief and happiness? How does that even happen? What’s even more troubling is that I’m not very concerned with my complete about-face.
I don’t say anything to acknowledge his statement. What could I even say? He just told me there’s no changing it. It’s not like I’d want to anyway. He’s stuck with me just as much as I’m stuck with him.
“I should have made sure you understood that before I let it happen, and I didn’t,” he adds when I remain silent. I know I need to say something, but I feel like my tongue is glued to the roof of my mouth. “Say something. Yell. Ask me questions. Call me names. Do something.”
I set my plate on the table, taking a second to swallow and make sure my voice is going to work. “Evan, I just don’t know what to say yet. I have a lot of questions, as I’m sure you can imagine, but they all just feel too big right now.” I reach over and lay my hand on top of his. “I’m not mad, I don’t want to yell at you. I’m processing.”
“You’re not mad?” He latches on to that small part of what I said, but he says it like he’s confused more than he’s asking a question.
“No, which seems a little strange, right? How am I so okay with this?” I peer into his deep brown eyes, wondering if he has the answer. “Does it have something to do with this…bonding…mating? Is it controlling how I feel?”
Evan shakes his head quickly, and I can tell by the way he’s staring right at me that he’s telling the truth when he states, “No, no way. It doesn’t work like that. I promise.”
I squeeze his hand, letting him know I believe him. “I don’t feel any different,” I tell him with my brows raised. It makes it feel like I’m asking for him to explain.
“There are some things that are different though,” he tells me slowly. “Your scent, for one. Any shifter would know we’re mated.” I’m tempted to smell myself, but it’s not like I would be able to smell my own skin anyway.
I nod, it feels like he’s just warming up. “And?” I prompt.
“Your life is tied to mine.”
“What about your life? Is it tied to mine? Does that mean you’ll only live a human life span now?” I bite the inside of my cheek, feeling worried about his answer.
“No.” He drags out the word, speaking it slowly.
“So you won’t die when I die, but I will die if you do?”
“No, I’m explaining this wrong.” He rubs the side of his face with the hand that isn’t under mine. “I have a chance of surviving if you were to die, but it’s not our way. Once we’re mated, it’s forlife.” Evan’s eyes search mine for understanding.
I hear a deep chuckle from down the hall. Griffin steps out of the darkness and leans his shoulder against the wall. “I knew I’d get to watch you squirm.” He directs his comment to Evan, who scowls in return.
“Shut up, vampire,” Evan grumbles.
Griffin is dressed in a pair of loose-fitting pants and a button-up shirt, and his hair is still damp from his shower. He pushes off the wall and saunters over. I don’t know if it’s because we just had sex or what, but every move he makes is sensual. He takes the seat next to me and leans back in a sprawl with his arms on the back of the sofa. “I’m going to help him out, though he rarely helped me.” Griffin gives Evan a snooty glance.
Evan growls deep in his throat, then grouses, “Not because I didn’t try.”
“You’ll now live the long life of a shifter.” Griffin tugs at the ends of my hair softly, ignoring Evan’s comment.
I turn to look over my shoulder at Griffin. “Yeah right.” I chuckle half-heartedly.
He gives me a lazy shrug as if he’s not bothered by my disbelief. “It makes you a little less fragile, but when you start taking my blood regularly, that will be a much better solution.”
“A much better solution?” I repeat, even though I don’t have any problems understanding his words.
Griffin smiles and nods happily. It’s a strange look for him. It’s Evan’s turn to chuckle now. “Smooth,” he teases.
I drop my head into my hands. This is a lot to take in. I’ve been doing a pretty good job compartmentalizing, but this conversation isn’t making that easy. “What happened with the kids?” I change the topic, preferring to conquer that than deal with this.
“I left Wes with instructions. Speaking of, I need my charger.” Evan jumps up quickly and heads down the hall. He’s only gone long enough to retrieve his phone charger before he’s back, plugging it into an outlet along the wall.
Griffin is still playing with the ends of my hair when Evan sits down. “What instructions?” Griffin continues, ignoring Evan’s interruption.
