“Wait, you two got married without having your father and me there to watch?”
Cassie and I exchanged a look and this time I wasn’t the only one blushing.
“It’s more of a… private ceremony,” I said weakly.
Mom frowned, then looked at Dad, who was turning a dangerous shade of red.
“I don’t get it. Your parents should be there with you at your side when you make a commitment.”
“Mating happens during sex,” Alexei said matter-of-factly. “Is private.”
Eleanor smacked him on the arm and he looked around. “What? This is how it happens.”
“I’m confused,” Mom said faintly.
“There’s a bite,” I explained slowly, pointing to the healing scar on my neck.
“So you’re a vampire now?” Mom asked, cringing.
“No, just mated to one.”
Dad got up so quickly his chair fell over. He pointed a finger at Cassie, then at me. “You’re supposed to be protecting my daughter, not fucking her.”
He stormed off and Mom rushed after him, leaving the four of us an uncomfortable silence.
“That went well,” I joked.
“You fucked me too,” Cassie mumbled, a look of devastation on her face.
I reached for her, my hand gripping her shoulder.
“They’re not rejecting you. They’re just surprised. Mom always imagined I’d have some big fancy wedding and now that’s been taken away from her.”
“You can do a human wedding,” Alexei piped up. “Most of our friends do both. You must be married under human law for legal protections. Eleanor and I already plan to go to the courthouse once our assignment is over.”
“I’m going to go talk to them.”
“I should come too,” Cassie said, looking like she wanted to puke.
“No, I’ll go.”
I found my parents in my father’s study, both of them sitting on a small leather couch and having a shot of bourbon even though it was only eight-thirty in the morning.
“I want you to know I started it,” I said. “I kissed her first, I told her I wanted to be mates. Even though the biological pull is stronger for her, she waited for me to not only give consent, but to make the first move.”
When my parents didn’t say anything I added, “I fell in love with Cassie the minute I saw her. I’ve never felt this way. And for her,mating is a lifetime commitment. I hope once you get to know her, you’ll love Cassie as much as I do.”
“I wanted a wedding,” my mother sniffed.
“We will have a wedding,” I assured her. “We are married by supernatural law, but not by human law. We want to do both.”
“So we can buy a dress?” Mom asked, perking up. “Your father can walk you down the aisle? We can invite all our friends?”
Poor Cassie would hate a big fussy thing, but I knew she’d go along with it to please my parents. “Yes, of course.”
Mom popped up, then leaned over to give me a hug. “That’s great news. I’ll get started on the planning.”
My father still looked angry.
