Chapter Nine
Liam
I still had a few things to do in preparation for the storm, so while Spencer was getting some rest, I came out to the four-season porch to make sure I had the windows reinforced properly and the doors secured. Everything was weatherproofed as much as I could, but I needed to verify a few last-minute items.
“Hey, the bed got lonely.” Spencer leaned against the doorframe, bundled up in my comforter and wearing my fuzzy slippers I left by the bed. He looked adorable wearing my things, and I couldn’t help but stalk over to him and capture his pouty lips with mine.
Breaking away, I rested my forehead on my mate’s. “Sorry about that. I needed to make sure I had everything prepared. The storm is really picking up now and we will probably be snowed in here for a couple days.”
“I guess it’s great timing for my heat. We couldn’t have gone anywhere anyway.” Spencer came a bit closer and rested his head on my chest. “I could use a little snack though; can we make a sandwich before you finish up here? I think I used all my energy and now I need a refuel.”
“I’m actually done here. And the generator is ready to use if we need it at any point this weekend. Let’s go fill your belly. I think I have some tomato soup, want that and grilled cheese?”
“Oh my goddess. I haven’t had that in forever. Can we please have that?”
“Definitely.” I let Spencer into the kitchen and had him sit down at the table while I prepared our late-night meal. “Did you get a good nap?”
“I did. But I missed your arms around me when I woke up.” Spencer lowered his head, but I saw him turning red just before he hid his face. “Is that strange that I missed you so much after just meeting you?”
“No. That’s the fated mate bond.” I heated up the soup in a pot and started grilling the bread for the sandwich, grabbing some muenster cheese from the fridge. “I know it can feel a bit foreign if you haven’t grown up seeing it in the relationships around you. But I remember my parents talking to me, Isaac, and our sister Nicola about it. They said that once you meet, you will always feel that connection. Even if the couple decided not to mate and separated. There would always be an invisible string between your two souls and a feeling of something missing. That’s why most mates move the relationship so quickly; it just feels natural to be together.”
“Some couples decide to part ways?” Spencer tilted his head.
“A few will. Whether they choose to or are forced by other circumstances.” I grabbed two mugs from the cabinet.
“Does it hurt them?” Spencer’s lips as he spoke tempted me to kiss him, but I continued preparing our food and answering his questions. “For humans, it would be a mild ache, like they are missing someone dear.”
“And for shifters?” Spencer leaned back in his chair. “What happens to the shifter if their fated mate rejects them?”
Fear and pain pierced my heart at the thought of that possibility, but I answered honestly. “It’s like missing a part of your soul. You can survive it, but you won’t be able to completely heal and move on. There will always be grief inside your soul.”
“Wow.” Spencer breathed out.
“Yeah. But don’t let that scare you into making the best choice for you.” I would never force the decision on him.
“What do you mean? “Spencer lifted his head higher and straightened his shoulders.
“You don’t want to be claimed yet. And I am okay with that. Until the claiming, our bond isn’t complete. You can leave and live a different life still. You can say no to this.”
“I don’t think I can.” Spencer stood and walked toward me. “I already feel like you are in my heart. We are already connected more than I ever thought possible, and I don’t want to lose that.”
Checking on the food and seeing I could spare a moment, I pulled my omega into my arms and kissed him. “You are already so important to me. I just want you to be happy.”
“I think I will be, as long as I am with you.”
Spencer
“This food is amazing. Thank you.” I couldn’t stop the moan that erupted when I took my initial bite of the gooey grilled cheese dipped in tomato soup.
“It’s one of my favorite meals during fall and wintertime. That and chili.” Liam sat across from me at the kitchen table as we ate. I never thought eating could be sexy, but he proved me wrong during the meal. When he named two of my favorite comfort foods, I swear I swooned. “I think I might make chili tomorrow night for dinner. Do you eat yours plain or add it to something?”
“I eat it in several different ways. That way I can eat the same meal but have variety at the same time. I may have sensory issues but luckily it doesn’t affect my food tastes too badly. I have a cousin with a very restrictive safe food list and I’m always thankful I have more freedom in my food choices.” I took another bite of my sandwich and savored the way the tomato and cheese mixed together.
“I get that.” Liam wiped his mouth with his napkin. “I have a few issues with textures myself. And visually, the food must look appetizing. I love sushi rolls, for instance. But if I ordered an unagi roll and it’s on top of the roll instead of inside it, I can’t eat it.”
“Seriously?” I put down my spoon, shocked by what he had told me. “That is, I have the same issue. I’ve never met anyone else who had that complaint. I had to learn the difference in roll names at my local sushi places because the caterpillar roll would have it tucked inside with avocado on top and I would devour that for lunch any day. But the dragon roll had the eel placed on top and I wouldn’t be able to even look at it without gagging. That must be why Isaac never made fun of me for it like other friends had.”
“Yeah, he would have just respected your feelings on it. But let’s circle back to the other thing you said. Your friends who make fun of you for how you reacted to that roll? What assholes.”
“I guess they were more like co-workers, classmates, or Alan’s friends. Your brother is probably one of my only real friends.”
“I hope I can be your friend too.” Liam reached over and took my hand in his.
“I think you already are becoming that.” I felt my lips turn up, thinking about how he made me feel. “My friend, but also so much more.”