Page 46 of Purrfectly Trapped

“That’s not possible,” she said, shaking her head.

“Of course it is, Gretchen. Humans simply tend to ignore things they can’t explain. I assure you Shifters are real, and Reg is one of them. If he claimed you with a bite, as you say he did, then he must be suffering greatly at this moment.”

“What? Why? Did something happen to him?”

She felt alarm well up inside of her. She didn’t want him hurt. Not in any way.

“Easy, there, no one has hurt him. You see, Shifters havefated mates. A mate is someone, or sometimesmultiple someones, created by the universe specifically for that Shifter. They are soulmates, and a bite is what physically binds them together. Think marriage but stronger than the human ties you know of.”

“So, you’re saying Reg is a Tiger and I am his mate?”

Gretchen’s mouth opened and closed on a dozen questions that popped in and out of her mind. Why wasn’t she more upset? She wondered.

Mine.

A voice inside her, the same one who’d erupted in jealousy earlier, whispered inside her head. Could it be because deep down she’d known the truth? Her breathing became shallow as she tried to stem the pain rising in her stomach.

“Yes, that is what I am saying. Really, he knew better than to behave this way. I told him to tell you all this before he gave you the claiming bite and believe me when I say I will take him to task about that! I assure you I will,” Uncle Uzzi said and stopped with a wide smile on his face.

He opened his arms, a gesture of peace, she knew, though why his fingertips were sparking with little lightning bolts of blue lights she had no idea. Then she heard herself and Gretchen realized she was growling at the man. And it apparently amused him.

“Excuse me,” she said, and grabbed her teacup.

That certainly never happened to her before, but the second Uncle Uzzi had said he was going to yell at Reg, all these protective feelings got stirred up.

Mine.

“I see,” Uncle Uzzi continued. “Gretchen, there are other things you should know before deciding whether you want to go through with all this.”

“Like what?” Gretchen sipped her tea.

Part of her wanted to run screaming, but another part of her insisted she sit and listen. Her stomach clenched again, and suddenly, she felt very, very warm.

“Well a fated mate is the one person in the entire universe who will love you like no other. He will be unwavering in his devotion and his loyalty. You see, Shifters are not like humans. The moment he met you, and scented you, you became the most important thing in the world to Reg.”

“What?”

Could that be true?

Oh please, let it be true.

“I mean it. His entire world revolves around you now, Gretchen. He will protect you, provide for you, and be there for you through thick and thin. I imagine Reg has been trying to contact you.”

“Yes, he calls every couple of hours, and he’s come by, but I’ve avoided him,” she said in a low voice.

“Gretch, are you okay?” Elissa asked, stepping forward.

Gretchen turned around to look at her best friend and felt a spark of happiness ignite inside her. Unfortunately, it was quickly squashed by a brighter flash of dizziness. Something wasn’t right. She felt awful.

Maybe the food was bad? With a loud groan she collapsed to the floor, noticing everyone had backed up a few feet. Uncle Uzzi’s face was concerned, but Kylie and Jessica had blanched.

“Elissa?”

“Oh. damn it. Someone, call Hunter now. Gretchen, I need you to look at me,” she said.

Gretchen turned to see her friend staring at her with glowing eyes. She backed up and tried to stand, but her legs refused to cooperate. More pain coursed through her veins, like a river of lava was flowing through her instead of blood.

Everything hurt, and Gretchen was scared. She wanted Reg. She wanted her mate.

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