Chapter 34

The day was long, but thankfully it was busy. Grace’s schedule was packed, and I found myself running from one lesson or event to the next.

By the end of the day, I was exhausted, but the whirlwind of running and errands left me little time to think. It was a blessing. I was overwhelmed and my mind was swirling with things to think about.

The reality of this world I found myself in was only the beginning. I had to consider that my boyfriend wasn’t human and that I was his mate. I didn’t really understand what that meant, but I knew it was serious. I also knew that it scared me a little.

I didn’t want to think about it. Today, all I wanted was to live in a world where werewolves didn’t exist and all I had to think about was doing my job so I could pay for my next semester. I knew I would have to go back and deal with things eventually, but I could live in denial for a day.

Then I’m putting Grace to bed and my day of avoiding my problems is over. A knock sounds at my bedroom door, and I open it to find Julian there. A wave of dread washes over me. I’m exhausted and overwhelmed. I don’t really want to talk about things right now.

“We need to discuss something.” He says as he lets himself into my room as though he has a right to be there.

“Julian, I’m tired. Can we talk tomorrow?” I ask with a sigh.

“It won’t take long.” Julian promises and then takes my hands in his and looks at me intently. “What do you know about mates?”

“The concept, I think.” I admit. I decide not to tell him what Adrian told me. The two of them have fought enough for one day.

“Lily, from the day we met, I’ve known you were my mate. That we were meant to be together forever.” Julian pauses and sighs. Fear joins my dread. Is he proposing? “I know you may not understand what it means yet, but I want to make it official. I want to mark you?”

I pull my hands from his and take a step back, my fear compounding. “What does that mean?” I ask, my voice breaking a little.

“It’s nothing to be afraid of.” Julian says comfortingly. “It’s just a small mark on your shoulder. A short ceremony, just the two of us, and then the mark appears.”

“What is it for?” I ask.

“It shows that we have accepted each other as mates. It tells other werewolves that you are mine.” Julian explains taking my hands again, though his grasp is firm and possessive. Like someone might come into this room and take me away at any second. “I want to mark you. As soon as possible.”

Panic lances through me and I tug on my hands, though Julian’s grip stays firm.

“No.” The word comes out a little stronger than I intend, my fear evident in my voice.

“What do you mean, no?” Julian asks, his face getting hard. “Lily, I know you’re a little confused right now, but this is important. We need to do this.”

“No.” I say again. “I’m not ready for this. I don’t understand enough. I can’t make this decision right now.”

“Lily, you have to trust me. We need to do this. Right now.” Julian sounds urgent, and I don’t know why.

“Why? Why does it need to be right now?” I ask. He’s scaring me and my heart is beating fast.

“Because we need to show the others that you are mine. We were always going to be together anyway. Why wait?” He says urgently and I suddenly understand. There is no danger, he’s just being impatient.

“I’m not ready for something like this.” I say and he opens his mouth again to argue. “No, Julian!” I cut him off firmly.

His face hardens and anger fills his eyes. I tug at my hands, but he holds them tightly. I remember him shaking me and how quickly he loses his temper lately. Panic takes hold and I tug a little harder, trying to get away from him.

“Why are you rejecting me?” He finally snaps, letting go of my hands to grab my shoulders. “For once, stop arguing and just do what I tell you!”

“Julian, let go!” I push against him, but he’s strong. He ignores my demand.

“You are my mate! Stop defying me and just trust me!” He shakes me a little and a small cry of fear of escapes my throat.

Then suddenly, Julian is jolted back, and Adrian stands between us.

“That is enough!” His voice is commanding and authoritative. Julian staggers backward and glares at his father with a decade of hatred.

“This doesn’t concern you.” Julian practically spits at him.

“A mark will not be forced on an unwilling woman. Not in my pack.” Adrian growls. “She said no, Julian. Let it go.”

Julian squares his stance. He looks like he might launch himself at his father, but Adrian cuts him off. “You were hurting her, Julian. You will not do it again.”

Julian sobers a little and looks at me. I know I must look like a mess. I’m not even trying to hide my fear and I’m clutching my arms from where he grabbed them.

The anger dissipates and a look of sheer regret fills his eyes. “Lily, I’m sorry. This isn’t how I wanted this to go. It’s just the moon, I promise. I always get like this when the moon is full.”

He looks so sincere. Adrian did mention that the moon has a little stronger pull on them when it’s full. Julian has never been like this before.

“It’s okay.” He says again, taking a breath and looking calmer. “We can wait and talk about this later.”

I just nod, unable to conjure any words. I’m still in shock and reigning in my heartbeat, though the panic has subsided knowing that Adrian is here.

“How about a compromise tonight?” Julian offers. I’m suspicious. I don’t want to agree to anything, but I also don’t want to spark his temper again. “Let me plan a small party where I can introduce you properly.”

“I don’t know, Julian.” I sigh, thinking about the last party he took me to.

Adrian stiffens, but he doesn’t say anything. Letting me make my own decisions.

“It will be small, with only trusted families. It will be to introduce you to the community, so you will be completely safe. I promise.” He assures me.

“Okay.” I agree, though I don’t really want to. I’m exhausted and I don’t feel like fighting anymore. If this is what I need to agree to in order to end this tension tonight, then so be it.

He smiles, satisfied with my answer. Adrian steps aside as Julian approaches me and presses a small kiss to my forehead. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”

After he leaves. I turn to Adrian, who lingers at the door, looking at me with concern creasing his brow. “Are you alright?”

I nod. “Yes, just tired.”

“If you want to change your mind about that party, you can.” He assures me and I thank him before he closes the door, leaving me alone.

I’m exhausted, but I know my mind won’t let me rest. I need to talk to someone. I pick up my phone and call Erica.

She answers on the second ring. “Hey, lady!”

Her chipper voice brightens me instantly. I tell her everything. There is every chance that she will think I’m insane, but I can’t keep this to myself.

“I would ask what drugs you’ve been taking, but I know you too well.” Erica finally says. “I have no choice but to believe you.”

I sigh in relief. It was easier to convince her than I thought it would be. “You actually believe me?”

Erica snorts. “I’ve always thought these things were real. I’m a firm believer that there is more in this world than we see every day. Stories have been passed through my family for centuries. Things like that don’t survive unless there’s some truth in them.”

“How did I get so lucky to have you as my friend?” I ask, flopping back on my bed.

“Some people are just blessed.” Erica laughs.

“What am I going to do?” I ask, groaning a little as I turn back to the subject at hand.

“I’ve made no secret of the fact that I don’t like your boyfriend. Conversations like these don’t help.” Erica sighs, though her tone says she wants to punch someone. Preferably Julian.

“I’m just having a hard time wrapping my head around the idea that he’s supposed to be my mate. Picked specially for me by destiny.”

“Just a thought.” Erica says musing. “And only because I’ve noticed the way Adrian protects you and it’s clear there’s something a little more there than just a future-father-in-law situation, is it possible that the three of you are all mates? Maybe you have two.”

I bark a laugh. “Put down the romance novels, Erica. You read too many of them.”

I hang up with my friend, feeling calmer now that I’ve gotten everything off my chest. But her words keep circling back to me. Maybe Adrian and Julian are both my mates. Was it possible? If so, what will I do?