Page 8 of Harbored By My Mate
“I am one,” he says slowly.
He holds my gaze, looking for signs of what I’m thinking or how I’m feeling.
“You’re a shifter?”I ask, trying to keep the judgment from my tone.
“Yeah, a bear shifter.”
“All right.”
“I’ll show you my bear.He can’t wait to meet you.”Knox pauses.“But there’s more.”
“More?”
God, I wish I could say more than one word at a time.
“Shifters have fated mates.We have one person who’s perfect for us.Our soulmate.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Shifters don’t date; they don’t need to.We’ll never love or be with anyone but our fated mate.”
“Sounds nice,” I muse.“To be so certain about that, I mean.”
“It is, but it can be hard to find your mate.”
“Oh.”
“But you’re mine.You’re my mate.I knew it last night.”
“I—How can you tell?”
“It’s your scent.My bear and I could smell it as soon as we got close to you.”
“What do I smell like?Last night, it was probably grease and oil,” I joke.
Knox grins.“No, you smell like citrus.Like lemons and oranges and pineapple.It’s addictive.”He leans closer, inhaling deeply.“When I said you were mine, I meant it.You’re my everything.”
I blush at the look on his face, wondering how to respond to that.
“I know this is all different for you because you’re a human, but I hope you’ll be able to feel the connection between us.You need more time to get to know me, and that’s fine.I’ll prove I’m perfect for you.I’ll show you that no one will ever love you more or better than I will.”
I want to tell him I can already feel the connection, but I’m uncertain if what I’m feeling is the same as him.I’m attracted to Knox.Who wouldn’t be?I’m comfortable around him, and he makes me feel safe.But is that the same as what he’s describing?
“Your feelings might be more intense during the full moon in a few days.”
I raise an eyebrow.“What happens during the full moon?”
“It’s the mating moon.It’s when shifters and their mates experience an intense need to be together… sexually.”
“The mating moon,” I whisper.
“You might not feel any differently.I’m not sure if humans feel it or not.I can ask around if you want?”
“When is it?”
“Two days from now.We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to,” he rushes to reassure me.“I would never pressure you.We’ll go at your pace.But I wanted to prepare you for it.”
I relax.“Okay.”
