Page 83 of Locke

I scooted my chair closer to her, our knees touching.

I knew she’d got a lot of emotions running through her right now. She cried in my arms, because she’d seen my past; I could feel her heart squeeze in mine when she looked at me. It isn’t pity, it’s—an understanding of why I’m the way I am. On top of it all, she was in heat, and I'd heard from my men that is fucking awful.

All I wanted to do was to protect her, be the mate my mother would want me to be.

A male that showed her protection and care, not just give her the severed hands of her enemies.

Wait, no, I’d still do that.

I held the fork up to her and she tilted her head. I let my eyes plead with her just to take the food. I didn’t feel like explaining to her why I needed to do this—that this was the way of a shifter; to provide food and substance.

I didn’t want any smart-ass remarks, no joking, no—-none of that. My heart just wanted her acceptance.

And she did.

Because she is perfect.

My mate leaned forward and took the bite I had ready for her. We stared into each other’s eyes. It was such an intimate moment that I felt my heart grow two sizes. She finished her plate, and I wiped her clean. The only sounds we could hear were the birds outside and the rustling of the trees.

My throat constricted when I pulled her into my lap from the kitchen chair. “Thank you.” I rubbed my cheek against hers.

“For what?” she whispered, her hand touching my chest.

“Letting me feed you. It is a high honor when a female eats the food that a male provides.” My voice was quiet while I said this, soaking up every moment. She really was my church, and I wanted to be reverent to it—for now.

My mate ran her finger over my cheek. “And what else do shifters do? To please their mate? Are there other traditions?” Her voice was so understanding. There wasn’t a hint of malice or anything condescending.

I swallowed, my throat bobbing as I nodded. “Yes, one is to make a proper nest. Especially when their female is in heat and it’s their first time.” My hand trailed up her side and tickled the underside of her breast.

“You are having a heat because of me. My bite, not only helped solidify the bond between us but also—it’s going to change you, Emmie.”

Emmie’s nails raked across my back, sending shivers up my spine.

“You will be a shifter. I don’t think you will be Lycan, but a wolf. Like what I was. I’m sorry—I should have told you.” I turned my head away, too fucking embarrassed to see her yell at me. But she grabbed my chin firmly in her hand and brought it toward her face.

Instead of seeing anger, I was met with her soft eyes and a gentle kiss on my lips. “I had a feeling. I don’t know how to explain it. I’m just glad you confirmed it.” She took a long, steady breath.

“You aren’t angry?” I squeezed her thigh.

She shook her head. “I’m more relieved you found out I was hunting you. That I was going to sell you off to get my family.” She winced and looked at the time on the wall.

“I need to call them, but—”

I could feel her dampness already pooling on my leg.

“And, so you know, I’m on birth control. I’m not ready to have any babies.”

“Pups,” I corrected. “And no, human birth control won’t work. Now that you are changing, human contraceptives aren’t a thing.”

Her mouth opened slightly.

I kissed her cheek. “Don’t worry, I’m taking my contraceptive. Males are usually in charge of the reproduction control, if they are proper mates.”

Emm blushed and smiled. “That’s amazing. I hated that stupid shot.”

“But, Emm,” I said and tilted her chin back to me. “I need you to do something this time. It will solidify our bond, more.Just so you know, if you do this, I will see everything in your mind just as you can see everything in mine. I’ve only been able to see fragments, just as you have with my life. After your teeth sink into my skin,” I shuddered, “we will see each other’s—everything.”

She looked away and fiddled with her fingers. “That’s intense,” she finally said. “Just—don’t go digging into when I was a teenager, when I had a crush on Jonathan Taylor Thomas. It’s kind of embarrassing.”

---