She shrugged, still looking down. “Why should I? It was made clear early on that I wasn’t a real Lupa. I didn’t see the need to learn about, or be a part of something where I wasn’t wanted.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” He embraced her tightly, nuzzling her hair as the pain and shame she felt came through their bond loud and clear. “I’m so sorry for all you’ve suffered.”
She shrugged again, her scent and demeanor conveying resignation.
That was definitely not acceptable to Roan. She may not be able to shift yet, but she was still a Lupa and a part of his Pack. She was also his True Mate, his other half, the one destined for him. She needed to understand all this. And since anything of an intimate nature wasn’t happening until she got all the facts, he might as well start with the explaining.
“We need to have a long talk, sweetheart. One, I think, that is way overdue.”
She glared up at him. “Nothing you say will change my mind.”
“This isn’t about changing your mind. This is about facts, truth, and what can’t be reversed no matter the circumstance.”
“I don’t understand.” Her brow furrowed.
“I know.” He gave her a tender smile. “But I promise to tell you everything, alright?”
It took a moment, but she nodded.
“Come, we’ll have a seat on your boulder.” Letting her go took great effort, but he knew that if wanted to keep her, an explanation was in order.
As they took the couple steps back to Rivera’s perch, it suddenly came to Roan that he seemed to be in the same situation as his twin. The thought caused him to laugh aloud.
“I’m glad this situation amuses you.” Her dual colored gaze narrowed as they both hopped up onto the big rock.
“My apologies, sweetheart. I find nothing amusing about this, believe me. But my twin, Flynn went through a similar ordeal with his True Mate. Only she had once been human, not already a member of the Pack.”
Her expression turned thoughtful. “Hmm, yes, I remember that mom had mentioned a new female Alpha and that Jenna and her mother were dead. I didn’t really pay it much attention since it didn’t concern me.” One shoulder rose and fell with nonchalance.
“Not concern…” Unbelievable. “Rivera, no matter the circumstances of your non-transformed state, you are still a member of this Pack.”
“But-“
“No, you will listen and you will understand all I have to say.” He put a little power behind the words, needing to punch through that stubborn shell.
Those remarkable eyes widened with surprise as she nodded.
“First of all, being a True Mate is not a choice. It is a very rare and sacred bond that only a select few are destined to have.”
“What do you mean, not a choice? Of course it is. We all have free will.”
“Not for a True Mate bond.” He held up a hand when her mouth opened to protest. “If you had kept up with your Pack history, you would understand just how special and wondrous an occasion this is. Out of the sixty Mated couples in the Pack, only nine are True Mates pairs. We make ten. That’s just how rare the bond is.”
She nodded. “Okay, but that still doesn’t explain why I have no choice in the matter.”
“True Mate pairs, after they meet and exchange scents, start a bond. Once that bond begins to form, it ties them together on an emotional, physical, and spiritual level. It can’t be reversed and the only way it can be severed is through death. For if one True Mate dies the other follows. The bond is just that strong.”
The play of emotions across her face and the scents that followed told Roan she was struggling with the truth of his words. The bond he shared with her told him she was still sad, but if he concentrated, he could make out a small kernel of hope. Of course, he knew convincing her would probably need further proof. She had spent the majority of her life keeping as far from the Pack and everything it stood for so long all the knowledge he thought of as basic fact would be foreign to her. It was unbelievable really, that Ian and Lillah had let her education about her heritage just fall by the wayside because of her inability to shift. After the talk he had with them, he could, in a way, see her reasoning for it. But she was now the True Mate of an Alpha and as such, her knowledge of the Pack needed to be complete.
Drawing her legs up, she laid her cheek on her knees, gazing at him with curiosity. “Why me, Roan? Why me, out of all the Lupa in the Pack?”
He gave her a gentle smile, wanting so much to hold her close and offer the comfort of his body. Instead, he settled for putting a lock of gold hair behind her delicate ear. “Because out of all of them, you are my match in every way. You are my other half, the one I’m destined to love and have a family with. To laugh and grow old with.”
“Love?” She gasped.
“Oh yes, sweetheart.” He palmed the other cheek, loving how soft it was. “True Mates share a love like no other.”
“But-“
He laid a finger over her warm lips. “The Fates would never have paired me with a weak True Mate, Rivera. You are perfect for me.”
With that, he leaned in and gently touched his lips to hers, rubbing them back and forth. There was no pressure. The contact was feather light. It still sent his senses reeling despite its lack of overwhelming intensity.
“I…I can’t think.” She moved closer to him. Her arms snaked around his neck.
“There’s nothing to think about, sweetheart. We belong together. That’s all that matters.”
She drew back, expression and dual colored eyes so full of hope and longing, it made Roan’s heart hurt. “Are you sure?”
Staring right into her eyes, he took her head in his hands. “I swear on everything I am that you are mine. You are my True Mate, the other half of my being and the one I’m meant to love, cherish, and spend eternity with.” He put all his conviction and belief into those words, feeling them to his very marrow that they were true.
She gazed back, seeking any hint of deception. She wouldn’t find it. When the moment came that she finally realized Roan was telling the truth, that shell, that stubborn aloofness she had blanketed herself with, began to crack. Roan watched it happen. Crystal tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.
Before the first choked sob tumbled free, Roan had her in his arms and snuggled close as all the pain, sadness, and utter despair she had felt for decades seemed to pour out. He couldn’t believe how this stunning creature, this Lupa of such unique beauty had borne it all, yet continued to persevere. It was a testament to just how strong she really was. Solid proof that she was his perfect match.
When her sobs had turned to sniffles and she was calmer, Roan pulled back, wiping away the remaining wetness on her cheeks. She was such a beauty. Though not in the classical sense. Her cheekbones were too sharp, her chin too square. Her nose was a tad long. But her dual colored eyes were up tilted with an exotic slant, the lashes long and thick and a darker shade of gold than her hair. Her rose tinted lips were full and lush, and her skin like fine porcelain. No, not a classic beauty, but one as unique and ethereal as the waterfall they sat near.
He kissed each of her features, needing to taste her, to comfort and soothe her.
“Wha…what are you doing?” Her voice was soft and tremulous.
“Learning you.” He kissed the tip of her nose.
Her gaze lowered. “I’m not…not like the others. Not beautiful or glamorous.”
Lifting her chin up with a finger, Roan’s gaze bored into hers. “I learned a long time ago to not judge a book by its cover. Outward beauty can hide a multitude of sins.” He gave her a tender smile. “Yours is a unique beauty, Rivera. The kind DaVinci captured on canvas and poets created odes to. Never doubt your appeal or the fact that the moment I saw you, I wanted you.”
She sucked in a quick breath, no doubt smelling his arousal. “But the bond…”
“Sweetheart, I saw you long before I ever drew your delectable scent into my nose.” He chuckled. “Trust me, it’
s you I want. The bond is just an added bonus.” He winked.
“Oh.” Pale cheeks flushed a soft rose. “I want you too.”
That definitely earned a kiss. He gave her one, careful not to let it go too far. They still had a few more things to discuss. Unfortunately.
“Damn, sweetheart.” The woman was going to be the death of him. If a man could die of blue balls that is.
“You taste good. Like mint and spring rain.” She ran a pink tongue over her lush lips as if she were trying to capture more if his flavor.
“Christ.” He groaned, closing his eyes and slowly counting to ten.
“Roan?”
Opening his eyes, he couldn’t help but smile at her look of confusion. “Sorry, sweetheart. I need to tell you the rest about True Mates and being with you like this makes it very…difficult.”
Her own smile was carnal at that, but she did nothing further. Roan wasn’t sure if he was relieved or disappointed.
“What else did you need to tell me?” She sat back, taking both his hands in hers. It was a sweet gesture.
He brought her hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “Two things. One, we can’t be separated for any length of time. I’m sure that not long after you ran out here, you began to feel odd.”
“Now that you mention it, I did feel strange.” She nodded, an expression of thoughtfulness on her face. “As if I had misplaced something important and needed to find it. It was almost like a compulsion.”
“Yes, the female symptoms usually run that route. The males are much worse. From the skin crawling to sharp pains in the stomach and chest.” He grimaced.
“Shit! You felt that because I ran, didn’t you?” She squeezed his hands, her gaze showing concern.
“I’m fine, sweetheart,” He assured her. “I found you before it got bad.” Though it was a near thing. Talking with Ian and Lillah had also helped.
She let out a breath. “Okay. What’s the other thing?”
“Well, it concerns the first time we mate.”
Another blush rose to her cheeks. “It’s about sex?”
“Not sex, making love. There’s a difference,” he grumbled.
“Yes, there is.” She winked at him.
The little minx, he thought as he chuckled. He could see now that she would keep him on his toes. He couldn’t wait.
Shaking his head with mirth, he continued. “It was a tradition that began with the very first True Mate pair. Because the Alpha thought so highly of his mate, he let her set the time and place of their First Mating. Now, a millennia later, that tradition has evolved into our very beings. You are my True Mate and as such you are the one who has to initiate our First Mating.”
Those extraordinary eyes blinked. “You mean to tell me that for our First Mating, I’m in charge?”
Taking a moment to compose himself lest the visions of that question unman him, he breathed deeply a few times. “Yes.”
That earned him a low moan and mis-matched eyes glowing faintly with lust. “Of all the places to tell me that, it had to be on top of a big rock in the woods.”
“Well, someone didn’t leave me much choice.” He squeezed her hands with a grin.
“Sorry.” Her smile was sheepish. “You kind of caught me off guard.”
“Forgiven.” He brought her hands up and kissed her knuckles again. “Now, we need to go. It’s late and you need to have a talk with your parents.”
They climbed down off the boulder, making their way hand in hand to the trail and through the woods.
“Yeah, I suppose I need to apologize to them. They were really looking forward to your visit and I go all drama queen on them and ruin it.”
“I’m afraid it’s a lot more serious than that, sweetheart.”
Her head popped up quickly, giving him a sharp look. “I’m probably not going to like it, am I?”
“No, but I’ll be by your side the entire time.”
“Promise?”
“With everything I am.”
Chapter Three
After making their way back to the house, Roan grabbed up his clothes and put them on. A shame really, he looked so much better out of them. Now she knew all that glorious skin was tanned. She couldn’t wait to begin exploring every inch of it. Her lovers had been few and far between over the years and most were human. None had looked like Roan though, not even close. Or exuded such raw sensuality. She didn’t think he would be a passive lover either, their First Mating notwithstanding. His personality said he would give as good as he got. Which was fine by her. Her last lover had the thought that if she didn’t get off before he did, she was SOL. They hadn’t been together that long.
It was scary really, and a little intimidating. This was the first time they had met. Yet, through the bond they shared, she could really feel it now that she knew what was going on. His emotions were clear to her. Smelling them was easy. Just because she couldn’t shift didn’t mean she wasn’t a Lupa in every other sense. But this bond they shared gave her insights that no sense of smell could ever give her. It was the main reason she’d believed him about being True Mates. Because there were so few of them, she thought that maybe the pair had gone through a special ceremony or rite that the Alpha had granted them, tying the two together. She had no idea that True Mates were considerably more.
“Are you all right, sweetheart?” A warm palm cupped her cheek, bringing her out of her musings.
She couldn’t help but smile. His concern for her was loud and clear through their bond. “Fine. Just a lot to take in, you know?”
He expelled a harsh breath. “Yes, and now I’m afraid talking to your parents will only add to that.” Apprehension was rolling off of him in waves.
“Is it really that bad, Roan?”
“Trust me when I say that if there was any way I could spare you from this, I would.” He took both her hands in his. “But they have kept this from you long enough.”
Having no clue what it could possibly be, Rivera just nodded her head and went inside with a now fully dressed Roan. There was no use prolonging the inevitable. She was going to hear whatever bad news her parents had to impart whether she wanted to or not. Better to get it done and move on though. There were more important concerns that needed her attention. Like claiming her True Mate.
Following her nose, she found her parents in the living room. They were seated together on the sofa, composed and outwardly calm. But Rivera could smell the tears and anxiety. Not good.
“Mom, dad, you wanted to tell me something?”
“Sit down, baby,” her father said, his voice unusually somber. “If you want to leave after, your mother and I will understand.”
“Okay, you’re really starting to scare me now.” She took a seat in the armchair, Roan by her side.
“We don’t mean too, Rivera, its just…” Her mother’s voice was soft and full of sadness.
“Tell her. Now.” The power behind those words was strong and unexpected, but the stony expression on Roan’s face said clearly he would brook no refusal of his command.
“Yes, Alpha.” Her father bowed his head then began to speak.
When he was finished, Rivera wasn’t sure if she wanted to puke or run screaming back to the woods. She was pretty sure both were a possibility after the initial shock wore off.
“Sweetheart?”
She blinked, just then noticing that he was kneeling in front of her, ice blue eyes full of worry, their bond even more so. “I’m really half human, Roan?”
He nodded.
“Did…did you know about this? Before we met?”
“No.” Those mahogany waves moved as he shook his head in the negative. “I was told moments before I came after you.”
“Good. I…I don’t think I could have stood it if you had known before. I mean…I…”
“Shh, sweetheart. I know exactly what you mean.” He drew her close, enfolding her into his warm embrace. “I swear I never would have kept such a thing from you.”
&nb
sp; She felt the truth of that and it helped. But not much. Pulling back, she gazed into those light eyes and nodded. Roan touched her cheek then helped her to her feet. She then faced her parents.
“I want you both to know that I don’t hate you or despise you. But at this moment, I am no longer your daughter.”
Her mother sucked in a harsh breath, her father paling visibly.
“Rivera, please,” her mother begged.
“No, no more.” She held up a hand that was surprisingly steady to forestall anymore pleas on their part. “You let me believe that everything was my fault. From the beginning when I stayed sick to when we all realized I’d probably never shift. All those tests and procedures. The poking and prodding, the sneers, the snide comments and being treated like a freak. I have been shunned all my life and you both knew why. You knew!” The last was said loud enough to rattle the windows. “My life was made hell because of your silence. I hope it was worth it.”
Both of them merely watched her with tears in their eyes, the scent of sadness and despair surrounding them. Rivera was unmoved.
“Do not call me, do not try to contact me in any way. When I am settled, I will send for my things. This will be the last time we speak, see each other, or I acknowledge you both in any way as my parents.”
Before she could turn to leave, Ian spoke. After all she had heard, calling the man father, even in her head, was wrong.
“Rivera, we never meant for you to be hurt, I swear. We just…we just wanted to have a family.”
If it wasn’t for Roan’s hand lightly touching her arm, she would have gladly ripped Ian’s throat out. Not being able to shift didn’t mean she was weak in any way.
“When you have children of your own, Rivera, you will understand why,” Lillah said as she wiped away her tears.
Even with Roan’s hand on her arm, Rivera snapped. In a blink, she had her hand around Lillah’s throat, pushing her back into the sofa.
“Understand? What I understand is that on two separate occasions, two so called doctors wanted to open my skull and poke around in my brain. What I understand is that I was nearly bled to death numerous times. What I understand is that I was electrocuted, starved, and basically tortured for the first twenty-five years of my life while the two people who gave birth to me and professed to love me stood by and let it happen. Let those atrocities go on for years when they could have stopped them with one word. But to keep your family, you kept your mouth shut and let a child pay for that silence with her blood, pain, and tears.”
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