Page 31 of Blood Moon Bound

“Please?”

“Like I said, I’m not much of a dancer.”

I held out my hands. “We’ll figure it out together.”

He rubbed his dirt-stained hands on his pants again and took mine with a laugh. “What do you think we should do now?”

I thought about the way Constantine and I danced at the ceremony. “Put one of your hands on my shoulder and the other on my waist, it’ll be easier to move together.”

He did as I suggested and we began to sway together.

“How’s that?” John asked.

“Yes, just like that. This is fun.” I did prefer dancing with Constantine, though.

The song ended, and we carried on dancing to the next one when it started, slower this time. “Thank you for this, John. Do you think…we could be friends?”

“I’d be honored.” His expression grew more serious. “Though, I’m not sure Constantine would like it.”

“You don’t?”

“Males are possessive of their mates, Del.”

“Oh, we’re not mated. I thought we were, but there’s something we have to do before that happens. Though, I’m not sure what it is.”

“You’re not?”

I shook my head. “We’re blood bonded, but that’s all.”

“Do you want to become his mate?”

I thought about it. I never had before, it was always just a fact that whoever came for me the night of the blood moon ceremony was who I’d be mated to. I’d never had a choice, so I’d never allowed myself to consider it. “I think so. He can be grouchy and bossy and intense, but he’s never cruel.” He was also very handsome, and the way he touched me… I barely suppressed my shiver.

“Wouldn’t you rather be mated to someone who makes you happy? Someone who isn’t grouchy or bossy? Someone who dances with you and laughs with you? Wouldn’t you prefer that?”

A weird feeling gripped me at the things he said, and it was unpleasant, because I did want those things, badly. “I don’t think I want to talk about this anymore. I’m not sure I should.”

“Of course. I’m sorry if I offended you. But I do want to be your friend. I’m here if you ever want to talk. I know this must be hard for you, especially after how sheltered you must have been.”

My face heated. “You didn’t offend me.”

His hand remained loose at my waist. “Where’s Mr. Caputo now? Why isn’t he with you?”

“He had to meet with some of his brothers.”

John nodded. “I expect he’ll be leaving again soon.”

My heart gripped. “Leaving?”

“He’s a warrior, Del. The commander of The Five, a protector of our race. He’s never here long before he’s back out patrolling the borders of our territory. The war might be over, but they’ll need to remain vigilant, and a warrior like him won’t be satisfied stuck in one place, under one roof when he’s used to sleeping under the stars. The fighting and the blood, it’s part of him.”

Constantine was going to leave? He was going to leave me? I was going to be all alone again? I couldn’t bear to think about it. “I need to go.”

“You’re upset?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“I shouldn’t have said anything.” He kept swaying to the music. “My cottage is just over there.” He motioned to it on the other side of the garden. “I feel bad that I upset you. I could make us tea, we could talk some more, as friends,” he said.