Chapter 20 #2
“I know, and I believe you. But, I mean, I know that Maverik was mated before and it didn’t work out. And now he’s with the right mate, the love of his life. So, I just figured that maybe there’d been someone else…”
“Why would you think there may have been someone else?” Boon asked.
She shrugged shyly, not really making eye contact. “I don’t know…”
“You know, or else you wouldn’t have asked,” he said patiently.
“It’s just… it wasn’t new to you. You knew what to do, what you wanted, and how to make me… So, I just thought…”
“I see.” He relaxed his hold on her, but didn’t let her go.
He turned so that he was leaning against the counter top and she was leaning against him, but still he held her with his hands clasped behind her back.
“You’re right. It wasn’t new to me. It wasn’t my first time.
Far from it, in fact. But it was the first time I’ve claimed anyone — and the last.”
“So, it’s not just making love that forms the bond,” she said, still shy about the subject they were discussing. There was something different about discussing sex in the light of day versus nighttime in the bedroom.
“It’s the bite — I marked you. Making love is only part of it. But it was the first time I’ve ever made love.”
Angelle’s head came up quickly and she looked at him with confusion in her expression.
“You can have sex and not make love. I didn’t understand that until I met you.
But now I know you can. And while I’ve had sex, and thought it might have been with the right person, I never claimed her.
And I’m thankful I didn’t. Because though it might make me look like a selfish male, if I’d claimed her and then met you, I’d have been out of my mind until I broke from her and made you mine.
I wouldn’t have been able to control myself.
You’re mine. Period. She wasn't. At the time I was so angry, so frustrated because she wouldn’t just accept me.
She kept talking about wanting to experience life and needing more than Whispers.
But really, what she was saying was that I wasn’t enough.
Oh, I was enough for sex, and a lot of it, but I wasn’t enough for a lifetime.
I am thankful to all the powers, all the gods, all the spirits that may or may not guide us that she never accepted me.
Because you’re where I belong, and I was on my way, I just didn’t know it. ”
Angelle nodded.
He continued to maintain his hold on her, but watched her closely for a response. When there was none, he canted his head just a little..
She gave a quick little smile, when the mannerism reminded her of the way a wild animal will tilt its head when considering something it isn't sure about approaching.
“Did you expect it to be my first time?” he asked.
“No, not really. I never considered it one way or the other. But it’s occurred to me since.”
“Does it matter?” he asked.
“Yes, it does,” she said. “Can you imagine how we’d have fumbled around if one of us wasn’t experienced in what we were doing?”
Boon laughed, relieved to know that it didn’t upset her. “I’m sure we’d have found our way regardless.”
Angelle laughed softly and pushed against his chest so he’d release her. “I’m starving,” she said, going back to slicing the ham “Who was it?” she asked quietly a few seconds later, without looking his way.
He looked over at her. “Saige. She’s Destroy and Rowan’s daughter. Marauder’s sister. I told you about her, remember?”
“Well, I do now!” she exclaimed exasperatedly. “I didn’t realize yesterday that we were in her parents’ house!”
“It’s not a big deal. We didn’t work out. You and I have.”
She looked at him in surprise. “But they’ve been so nice to me! I was in their house; in her house!”
“Angelle, she didn’t want me. Was never my mate and declared it repeatedly, and made sure I wasn’t the only one she declared it to. It’s not news to them that Saige and I didn’t belong together. And technically, she doesn’t live in Whispers anymore — it’s not her house.”
“They said they were happy for you, for us,” Angelle said, thinking back over their conversations.
“And they meant it. There’s no bad blood between us.
I never mistreated her. I always treated her with respect.
I treated them with respect. I always treat everyone with respect until they make me disrespect them.
And we were not the only ones of our age group experimenting.
Life here is much slower than where you’re from, but the pains of growing up still apply.
And we’re not quite as formal as when our parents were courting.
I’m pretty sure they knew what was happening. ”
Angelle nodded again.
“So, we’re okay?” he asked.
“Of course. I don’t care what you did before me. I was just curious. And now I feel bad because I didn’t realize it was her mother who hosted us yesterday. And her brother that gave me a gift.”
“What would you have said differently?”
Angelle shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Nothing. You’re always respectful, you’re always kind. And you were both yesterday. Don’t feel bad.”
Angelle sighed and nodded.
Before she finished slicing the ham he reached out and ran his fingertips along her jawline, then turned her face toward him. “I love you. There will only ever be you.”
“Good. Because I’d probably feel really bad if I had to castrate you some day.”
Boon burst out laughing.
Angelle did not.
His laughing died out as he realized she wasn’t laughing.
“I may be human, but I was raised in a clan of shifters with a Dragon for a father. I know how to field dress a deer, and any other animal we’ve hunted. I’m sure it’s not that far off to figure out how to remove someone’s balls.”
“Thankfully, we’ll never have to know. I will never touch another female.”
“And another female will never touch you,” she said.
“Absolutely. And same for you,” Boon said. “Though it goes without saying because we are formally bound and mated.”
“Exactly. Another female will never touch me,” she said, straight faced, before she started laughing.
Boon grabbed her and started tickling her.
“Nobody!” she shrieked, “Nobody will ever touch me, nor will I ever touch anybody but you!” she promised as she twisted to get away from his tickling fingers.
“Good. I will never harm you; never, no matter what you’ve done. But I will not hesitate to eviscerate anyone who is stupid enough to try to touch you, and they’ll be alive when I do it.”
Angelle looked up at him, and though he’d been honest he wondered if he’d taken his brutal declaration too far, but she smiled softly at him and kissed his shoulder. “I’m glad we understand each other, my mate.”
Boon looked into her eyes and got caught up in her all over again. “Don’t know what I did to deserve this, but rest assured I’ll be continuing it as long as I live.”
Angelle smiled as she looked back into his beautiful slate colored eyes; still in awe that such a beautiful, strong, kind, and desirable male wanted her.
“But just so you know, I’d hog tie you and hide you in the closet if you ever tried to leave,” he said, teasing her.
“Hide me from what?” she asked laughingly.
“Anything that thought to take you away from me.” He pecked her lips then took the knife out of her hand and gently moved her aside so he could slice paper thin slices of ham for their sandwiches.
Deciding to let him do the slicing, she instead went for the loaf of bread in the bread box, took out a bread knife and started slicing it.
Boon smiled to himself as he glanced over at Angelle standing beside him, as they stood together working in their kitchen to prepare a late lunch for themselves.
He started another slice of the large ham he was carving from, and stopped halfway down.
His attention on the door, focused in on whatever it was she obviously couldn’t hear.
“Someone coming?” she asked.
He listened for another second or two before he finally nodded. “It’s Marauder.”
“Oh, how nice.”
“Nice? You obviously don’t know the real Marauder. He’s always got an agenda.”
“He seemed really nice,” Angelle said.
“Honestly? He is. But he’s also always on the lookout for placing himself in a better position.”
~~~
Marauder jogged up the steps to Boon and Angelle’s front door, knocking rhythmically on it.
“Come in!” Boon called out.
Marauder opened the door and stepped inside. “Is that some of Simon’s ham?” he asked, quickly taking in what they were doing.
“It is. Would you like a sandwich?” Angelle asked.
“Definitely.”
“Tomato?” Angelle asked.
“Yes, please,” Marauder said.
“So what brings you here?” Boon asked.
“Can’t I just come to visit my oldest friend?”
“No. You always have a reason.”
“True. I’ve come to get you to join us.”
“Join you where?” Boon asked.
“Here’s your sandwich,” Angelle said, passing Marauder a plate with a ham and tomato sandwich on it.
“Thank you,” Marauder said, to Angelle. He turned his attention back to Boon. “I thought it best that I summon you. We’re decorating for the party.”
“Summon us?”
“Yes. Lily has grand plans — and she’s doing it all by hand — again, so she needs us to help.
I’m pretty sure I remember hearing that the party will be understated and presented as a celebration of Elijah, with the two of you in the background, or at least celebrated at the same party, so I thought you may want to come participate in the preparations. ”
Boon looked at Angelle, who handed him a plate with a sandwich on it. “No. We’ve just mated…”
“I can tell,” Marauder said, tapping his nose. “Wasted no time, did you?”
“I wasn’t finished speaking. We’ve just mated and we are not coming to be manual labor for a party we didn’t want to begin with.”
“I think you should be involved in the planning of the event.”
“We’ll attend the party because it’s important to my sister, but not because it’s something either of us wanted.”
“Do you not want Angelle to be embraced and welcomed into the community?”
“Of course, I do. However, they’ll accept her anyway, or I’ll pay them a visit,” Boon said before he stuffed half his sandwich in his mouth and chewed as he stared defiantly at Marauder.
Marauder shrugged. “Have it your way.” He finished the sandwich, which had only taken him a few bites to inhale and handed the plate back to Angelle. “Thank you, Angelle.”
“You’re welcome,” Angelle said, placing the plate in the sink before she picked up her plate and walked over to the table to sit down.
Boon walked over to the table to sit with her, though he’d finished his sandwich as well. “Tell Lily and the others, no thank you. We’re bonding.”
“I don’t think you understand. No one told me to come for you. I walked outside, heard some of the plans being discussed and thought you might want to be involved. But, I’ll keep my opinions to myself and allow it to play out as Lily envisions it.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Boon said.
“Don’t blame me if she does the whole thing like a flower garden threw up, spring time wedding, formal vows and all.
Thank you for the snack.” He opened the door and paused there for a moment as he looked back at them.
A mischievous grin curved his lips. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.
” He winked at them then hurried through the door, laughing riotously as he slammed it behind himself and jogged down the steps.
“I want another sandwich,” Boon said, getting up to go into the kitchen again.
“I made you another. It’s there on the counter top.”
“Aren’t you thoughtful?” he asked, grabbing his sandwich and taking it back to the table to eat with her.
“Sometimes,” she agreed. She ate quietly, her mind thoughtful as she considered what may be happening at the party Lily was having. “So, is she really planning a wedding?”
“I don’t know. Does it matter?”
“Yes, and no. If we’re going to have a wedding, I want all my people to attend. But I’d like it to be on our terms, the way we want it, not a surprise the way anyone else wants it.”
“Agreed. And it should be done in your community with everyone in your clan. You’re the bride.”
“If we do it at all. Some of my clan are married, but some are not. All are mated and are bound regardless of a little piece of paper.”
“That’s how I feel about it. You are my mate, my wife, my life. Any additional ceremony only confirms what we already know, but I’m not against it if it means something to you.”
“I’m not against it, but I’d like the opportunity to plan it myself and have it with my clan present at least. It won’t be tomorrow.”
“You want to go over and let them know?” he asked.
“Not really. I had enough peopling yesterday. And today we’ve had quite a few visitors, too. Which is fine. They’re family for the most part. But I’d really like some quiet time.”
“Tell you what. I’ll run over there, take care of any misguided plans they may have, and you stay here and unwind.”
“I was hoping to unwind with you.”
Boon grinned at her. “Be careful what you wish for, my mate,” he teased, his voice going growly and even deeper than it was naturally.
“What if I know exactly what I’m wishing for?”
“I’ll hurry.”
“You do that.”
Boon finished his second sandwich and kissed the top of her head before he rushed out of the door.
Angelle took her time finishing her food, then washed the dishes, and put the ham and the bread back where it belonged.
She wandered around the house for a little while, rearranging this or that, placing little things in a new place.
She walked over to the windows a couple of times but didn’t see Boon coming back.
The view was lovely though. She knew she’d never get tired of looking at it.
She looked around the room once more, then out at the land that was now hers and Boon’s.
“I can go walk around out there if I want to. It’s mine,” she said to herself.
She took Terrus’ book of flora and fauna off the shelf, slipped on her shoes, and headed out of the door to explore her new world.