Chapter Nine #2
“The whole point of having this,” he points at the open washer, “Is to make less work for us.”
“I agree.” Hunter stares at him until Lawson rinses the plate. I roll my lips, and Hunter glances at me and winks.
“You're on my side, right? Haven?” Lawson asks.
“Totally.” I smile.
“How do we end up having such odd conversations?” Bane asks.
“We’re making up for all the years of missed ones,” Remy says.
“Probably,” Lawson mutters.
“Haven,” Remy says softly, and I look at him.
“I’m leaving for a bit. The restaurant is open, and I need to check in.
” He doesn’t move from the end of the table, so I walk toward him.
He smiles, and I know it was the right move.
“I’ll be back before supper to cook.” I stop in front of him, and he tilts his head.
“It’s always your choice to come to us,” he whispers, playing with the ends of my hair.
“So much of it.” His focus is on his hand.
“Makes me have ideas.” My body warms, and I want to hear his ideas.
“Not yet.” He threads his fingers through the hair behind my ear and leans down.
“I’m not going to ask.” My question about what he means is answered as he kisses me.
Two thoughts: Damn, he can kiss, and I’m glad I brushed my teeth.
I place my hands on his stomach and stretch to my toes.
He holds my head, so all I have to do is hang on.
What a ride it is. He’s not forceful. He plays languidly, his tongue caressing slowly, thoroughly, consumingly.
He kisses like he moves. Controlling every movement, yet you can sense the danger if he doesn’t get what he wants. My skin vibrates with need.
He eases back, kissing me gently before dropping his hand. I drop to the balls of my feet and stare at him. My doubts are gone. I’m drawn to him in a way I didn’t think existed.
“Be good,” he says.
“Why wouldn’t I be good?” I breathe.
“I was talking to them.” He nods at his brothers, grins, and walks out the door. I exhale harshly and press my hand to my stomach.
“I have to check in with Heath,” Bane says, and I shake my head.
“Same. Be good.” He glances at Lawson and Hunter.
I watch him walk toward me. If he kisses me, I’ll become a puddle on the ground.
“Keep my shirt on.” He trails his knuckles down my cheek, and I lean into his touch. “Bye, baby.” He opens the door.
“Bye,” I whisper, and he leaves. I stare at the door a moment before turning to watch Lawson finish cleaning.
“Come here.” Hunter stares at me. He said it softly, yet I knew it was a demand. As I move, he walks around the counter and meets me on the other side of it. I let out a breath as he lifts me onto the stool. “How are you doing?”
“Can you be more specific?” My emotions are chaotic and vast.
“Do you have doubts about the mating bond?” he asks.
“I believe that I am your mate. It’s hard to wrap my head around what will happen.” I stare into his gorgeous eyes and know he will be the one to make everything clear.
“They didn’t explain well.” He looks at Lawson, who shrugs.
“We weren’t very thorough.” Lawson leans against the cupboard.
“I like information,” I say.
“So you can make an informed decision,” Hunter says, grinning.
“Yes. You live in a world that I didn’t know existed. I want to know the rules.” I rub my palms on my thighs. Hunter makes me feel comfortable and safe, but he’s smoking hot. He hasn’t been this close to me yet, and my body is reacting.
“Shifters can mate with a human or another shifter of the same species. It’s rare, but there have been successful matings between different species.
Our one rule is never to reveal our world to anyone except our mate if they are human.
” I open my mouth. “Rylee told you because you're close, and she knew you needed to know. It happens sometimes, and usually it’s not a big deal since whoever it is, they trust. Humans would panic if they knew of our existence, and in some cases, we would be hunted and studied. Our animals know when we meet the one meant for us. We trust the universe and its plan. Mates are sacred. Many shifters never find their partner and live their very long lives alone. It’s sad, and in some cases, they lose their humanity.
We like being around others like us and living in groups.
We will be yours, just as you are ours.”
“You said you wouldn’t get jealous,” I say softly.
“No. We respect each other and the bond. Each of us will have a separate relationship with you, just like any human pairing. You will connect with us in different ways. We hope love will grow as well as the life we build together. Our need for you is already present.” He smiles gently.
“When you're ready and have accepted the bond, we'll complete it. The four of us will bite you and turn you into a shifter. Turning into a jaguar won’t be painless. Your body will change from the inside out. We'll never leave you as you transition. It’s necessary. We live a very long time, and we couldn’t go on if you died as a human.”
“I know your senses are enhanced. Will I have the same power?” I’m not ready to think about the pain of the change yet.
“Yes. Your sense of smell, hearing, sight, and strength will be powerful. Healing will happen automatically. You won’t be human anymore.”
“Will I still be me?”
“Of course. Sometimes your personality is more, but you will still be the same person.” He tilts his head. “What are your thoughts about being a jaguar?”
“It’s hard to imagine,” I hum, frowning. “Do you like it?”
“There have been times in my life that I wished to be normal,” he says softly, and glances at Lawson. “All of us hoped that.”
“Every day for many years,” Lawson says.
“But, I can’t imagine a life without my animal. He is inside me, a reassuring presence. I rely on him every day. I’m strong and resilient. If I were human, I would think something was missing.”
“Do you want a family?” I ask.
“That’s all I’ve wanted my whole life,” he says softly. “Do you?”
“I’ve dreamed of having children. I wanted to have a family, a real family. My father wasn’t good to me. Having my own to love and protect would make me happy.” I look at Lawson. “What about you?”
“I didn’t think I could be a dad,” he mutters.
“Why?”
“I thought I had too much rage inside me to be a good one,” he replies.
“That’s not true,” I say.
“You don’t know about my life yet.” He looks between us. “I want to have a family with you.”
“We can talk about kids more, later,” Hunter says. There are many things we have to talk about, including their mysterious past.
“Can we have sex without completing the bond?” I ask, and both of them tense.
“Yes,” Hunter grits out.
“Good to know,” I mumble. “Do we have to be together? At the same time, when we do?”
“No. There are no rules as to who can be with you at any time. The only time it is necessary for all of us to be in the room is when we bite you,” Hunter says.
“Is the bond pushing you, or do you think you could love me?” I ask, knowing that if they only like me because some unknown force is pushing us together, I would always wonder if they would choose me, regardless.
“I can understand your doubts,” Hunter starts, brushing my hair behind my ear.
“It’s difficult to explain to someone who isn’t a shifter.
” He pauses, crossing his arms. “We have a ball of need in our gut, urging us to claim you.
At our core, we are animals, and we are constantly prowling, waiting to have you.
Also, we're men. You're a beautiful woman, kind, and loyal.
We want to get to know you and learn about your life.
The bond is more about trust than anything.
We have to trust that the universe and our animals know what's meant to be.”
“And me?” I ask.
“You have to trust that we would never do anything to hurt you,” Lawson says. “That we're true in our claim. It’s like any relationship, it’s scary at first, but the love grows.”
“What do you want?” Hunter asks.
“What do you mean?” I frown.
“In a relationship? In us? What would make you happy?” I stare at Hunter, honestly stumped for a moment.
“No one has ever asked me that,” I whisper.
“We're asking,” Lawson rumbles. “We want to make you happy.”
I meet his eyes and fall a little in love. Just the fact that they want to know tells me that I don’t think I will ever leave them.