Chapter 12
Victor
My mate is a druid. Descended from one, at least.
The trip to the café has eased some of my concern.
Breaking a fate-block could attract attention, but it shouldn’t create any serious danger for my mate.
I can handle a Witch Hunter. With Silver Pack patrolling the streets, I probably won’t even have to.
They’ll deal with the problem before I even know there is one.
Now that we’ve met with Saul and Ingrid, we’re back in the SUV, and I can tell Taryn is nowhere near as relaxed as I am.
“What’s troubling you, mate?” I ask, looking at her. “I’m sure that was a lot to swallow over lunch.”
“That’s an understatement,” she breathes out. “It feels like all the history classes from school left out the really important parts.”
“Important? Sure. But it’s shit that happened a long time ago. Shifters are better at preserving history than humans, but sometimes it’s hard to separate facts from myths and legends that originated thousands of years ago. Same with human history.”
“Do you believe what we heard? That Gilgamesh killed Mother Nature?” she asks.
“I usually believe what I can see, but according to our history, the world has been unbalanced since Ishtar was slain,” I explain. “It’s why Mother Fate forgets some of us; She’s doing Mother Nature’s job, too.”
“Except she didn’t forget about you. I was… fate-blocked,” she is speaking quietly, and I can tell that she is disturbed by all the information that got dumped on her in the last 24 hours. “I’m still not sure I understand what that means either.”
“Fate-blocks used to be common, according to our history,” I say, remembering a few things from my own lessons.
“Some druids had higher callings that required them to make sacrifices. A fate-block ensured they would never be tempted by a mating bond. Later, some royal families had their children fate-blocked, so that they could arrange political marriages.”
“So, when someone is fate-blocked, what happens to their mate?” she asks.
“We’ve always believed Mother Fate would find a different mate for them, but maybe we’re wrong. Maybe that’s why so many wolves live lonely lives with no mate. Maybe they really are forgotten.”
Taryn goes quiet, her fingers twisting in her lap. I can almost see the thought forming in her head. Not just that she had been denied a mate, but that other woman before her might have been denied one too.
“That’s horrible,” she says softly.
“It is,” I agree. “Even if it was done to protect them.”
“Do you think there could be other fate-blocks?” she looks over at me.
“I wouldn’t rule it out. If they were as common as our history suggests and they persisted for generations, then there could be a lot more druidic magic in the world than anyone realized,” I say.
“But none of that really matters. What matters is that your fate-block is broken, and we’ve found each other. ”
She nods but looks pensive. “Where are we going now?” she asks.
“First, we’re going shopping. You need new clothes,” I grumble, glancing over at her. “Then we’ll find somewhere to stay that doesn’t have mold growing on the walls.”
I can tell by the shift in her demeanor that it makes her uncomfortable.
She’s not used to having someone to look out for her, someone who cares enough to make sure she has clothes to wear and a decent place to sleep.
But this isn’t just the mating bond. It’s common decency, for fuck’s sake.
Even that seems to be foreign to my mate.
I’m really starting to hate certain people.
I park the SUV in front of a row of boutiques and turn to her.
“Look, I know this is happening fast. I know I’m coming off as overbearing.
You’ll just have to get used to that with me, Taryn.
I can’t change what I am,” I try to make my voice sound calm and reassuring but inside, I’m pissed off at every person who made my mate feel less than.
“Normally, during this part of a mating bond, we’d still be getting to know each other.
Maybe even dating. Just think of it like that. ”
“A shopping date?” she asks, glancing at me.
“Exactly,” I say, nodding in agreement.
“I’m just… I guess I’m having trouble wrapping my head around it,” she sighs.
“I feel the pull. I know you’re my mate.
My body certainly does. But mentally… mentally, I’m just not there yet.
You said you can’t change what you are, but I can’t either.
You thought Mother Fate forgot about you; I’ve felt like the entire universe forgot about me. ”
Her words strike something raw in me. I know exactly what that feels like.
Years of waiting. Years of watching other wolves find what I was certain would never be mine.
But at least I had Silver Pack. Taryn had a basement, a diner, and people who taught her to thank them for scraps while ignoring basic human decency.
“Well, now Mother Fate and the universe have both remembered you,” I growl.
“They’ve remembered me, too. Providing for my mate is one of my most basics instincts.
Now, are you going to go in there and let me take care of you like a good girl, or do I need to put you over my knee until you stop arguing with me? ”
“I mean…” she looks down for a moment, a blush creeping up her neck. “I guess I could use a few things, if it’s not too much trouble. Clearly, you’re not struggling in quite the same way I am if you can buy a Land Rover on a whim. I just feel like I’m taking advantage of you.”
“I told you I was no hero,” I growl. “Silver Pack takes down a lot of bad people, and those people usually have a lot of resources. We’ve never felt bad about profiting off what we do. I’m not a billionaire like Saul, but I’ve got enough to live comfortably. Enough for you to live comfortably.”
Her eyes widen slightly. “Taking down bad guys is that profitable?”
“It’s not why we do it, but it’s a nice bonus,” I say. “So, look at it like this: you’re just spending money that would have been used for something much worse than a new wardrobe. I think you can put it to much better use.”
“Okay,” she says, a half-smile tugging the edge of her lips. “I guess I can look around.”
“Only one rule,” I add, looking into her eyes and grinning. “If you want me to buy it for you, you have to model it for me first.”
“Oh gosh,” she says, blushing slightly.
“Come on, mate,” I chuckle, opening my door. “Let’s see what dirty money looks like on you.”
When we reach the boutique door, I hold it open for her. There are two women working who quickly notice Taryn’s attire. I flash my black AmEx before they have a chance to say anything that would make me angry.
“She gets to try on anything she wants,” I instruct the women, looking around the boutique. “If she likes it, we’re buying it.”
Any objections the sales associates may have had quickly evaporate into enormous smiles.
They’re the kind of smiles the sight of this card usually brings.
I’ll have to remember to thank Saul for convincing me to get one rather than walking around with my pockets stuffed with cash like I used to do.
It’s certainly made things easier, now that I’m actually spending some of the money I’ve been hoarding for years.
The sales associates are named Jennifer and Susan. They escort us to a private area in the back of the boutique. They pour some champagne for us, and I get comfortable in one of the chairs while Taryn looks around. I’ve got the best seat in the house, because I get to watch her try everything on.
I don’t intentionally eavesdrop, but I listen to the conversation rather than tuning it out like I usually would.
“This blue would look incredible on you,” Jennifer says. “It’ll bring out the blue in your eyes, too.”
“My eyes are gray,” Taryn mutters.
“Yes, but there is some blue in them,” Susan says. “You just need something to draw it out.”
“And this dress will match your complexion perfectly,” Susan adds. “Let me find some shoes to go with it.”
Taryn glances at me from across the room, like she’s checking to see if I’m already annoyed. I’m not annoyed; I’m enjoying it, even if Taryn is a little uncomfortable.
Watching my mate get fussed over by women who know how to make her look even more beautiful than she already does is a much better use of my time than sitting outside her house like a feral beast. I take a sip of champagne, but the bubbles do nothing for me.
The only thing I want to taste is still standing across the room, looking overwhelmed by fabric.
“I don’t really wear dresses,” Taryn says hesitantly.
“Just try it on,” I say. “Maybe you’ve been wrong about what you should wear.”
Taryn’s cheeks turn pink, and Jennifer gives me a quick look. Almost amused. Almost nervous. Smart woman. She should be nervous. Anyone who gets near my mate should be nervous, whether they’re a threat or just trying to help her find clothes.
“I can pick out some everyday things for you to try, too,” Susan says quickly. “Jeans. Tops. A few sweaters. Some pajamas.”
“No pajamas,” I growl.
All three women look at me. I chuckle under my breath, because I’m sure Jennifer and Susan catch my drift, even if my mate doesn’t.
Taryn’s eyes widen. “What’s wrong with pajamas?”
“Nothing,” I say, leaning back in the chair. “Buy as many as you want. Just know I’m going to take them off you the moment you put them on.”
Her blush deepens, and the scent of her arousal blooms in the air. It takes everything in me not to grin like the savage wolf I am. She can glare all she wants. Her body likes when I talk to her like that.
Jennifer clears her throat. “I’ll, um, set up a dressing room.”
“Private,” I rumble.
“Of course,” she says quickly.
Taryn gathers a few dresses and some jeans and shirts before disappearing behind the curtain. I sit there, listening to the soft rustle of clothing. Listening to the little huff she makes when something gets stuck. Listening to her heartbeat speed up because she knows I’m waiting.