I give this ring to you as a mating gift from me. Our vows will be said at the Winter Solstice, but until then, take this as a symbol of our bond.
Evie slid the silver band onto her left ring finger. It fit snug against her skin and she tested the weight, realizing Kye had found her a ring she could still wear if she ever had the need to fight. It wouldn’t hinder her in any way.
A soft knock sounded on the front door, and her mother began to tear up. Her father stood tall and squeezed Evie’s hand before walking to the door. Noah, Kye’s brother, was standing there on the porch. His smile was bright as he nodded toward her father.
“Mr. Sawyer,” Noah began, “I am here as a Guardian of the Shaw pride to safely escort your daughter to meet with her destined mate on the eve of her twentieth birthday. Do you give permission for your daughter’s hand to be sought by Kye Shaw?”
“I do,” her father said, moving aside so Evie could step over the threshold. It was an ancient ritual, one not often practiced anymore, but Evie didn’t mind. Kye had been a little old fashioned in his way of thinking up until a year or so ago when she began learning how to fight. The thought of him planning everything for their evening sent a thrill through her veins.
It was time.
Her mother handed her a backpack and kissed her cheek, whispering, “Call me in a few days.”
Evie nodded and followed Noah as he began to walk. The road up to the home she’d share with Kye was paved with worry, nervousness, and excitement. There was also a sadness that hung over her, and Noah as well, the closer they got to the house where his mother had once lived.
“You don’t have to walk me the entire way,” she whispered, knowing he could hear her with his enhanced hearing. Noah had the hardest time with the death of their mother, resorting to drinking heavily to numb the pain. He’d been doing better since the alpha had stepped in, but Evie could tell that he still mourned the loss.
“No,” Noah shook his head. “I’m okay. This is a special night, and I’m happy for you and my brother.”
“Okay, thank you,” she replied, and kept walking.
The cabin lights were on. A soft yellow light shone from the window in the living room. The porch light was on over the door, and she released a breath as she climbed the steps behind Noah. He knocked on the door and stepped aside.
Kye opened the door, and the first thing she noticed was that he was wearing denim jeans and a baby blue, button-down shirt that she loved. He didn’t look at her right away, and she knew this was tradition.
“Kye Shaw,” Noah smiled. “I have escorted your fated mate, Evie Sawyer, to you as you have requested.”
“Thank you.” Kye nodded, looking at her for the first time.
She’d fretted all day about what to wear. Evie wasn’t one for frilly dresses or girly things. Her mother had eventually stepped in and told her to wear whatever she wanted. There was no dress code for this sort of thing. Evie had chuckled and thought that it really didn’t matter about the clothes toward the end of the night, either. After her mother’s pep talk, she’d decided on jeans and a soft beige sweater.
“Hey, baby,” Kye greeted, stepping back into the house so she could pass without being touched. She really just wanted to say fuck tradition and get on with it, but she’d wait because it was important to him.
“Hey.”
Evie looked around and saw that Kye had placed small candles sporadically throughout the living room. Several were placed on the mantel above the fireplace. Two small glass holders were on the coffee table.
“Come,” he said, holding his hand out toward the kitchen, “I’ve made you dinner.”
“Thank you,” she replied, walking into the kitchen. The table was set for two. Tall pillar candles were lit on the centerpiece made of fall leaves and vines.
Kye took his seat after pulling out her chair. He waited until she was seated to hand her plates of food and bowls of vegetables. He’d made grilled chicken and mashed potatoes. There was a warm loaf of bread in a basket, wrapped in a red cloth.
“Thank you for my gifts,” she said, holding out her left hand to show him the bracelet and ring. She kept her new gloves in her backpack, because she wanted to make sure she had them for the next time they sparred.
“You’re welcome.”
Kye nodded and tucked into his food. She was nervous, but ate as much as she could. The thought of food was making her ill, but her panther pushed her to eat. Her strength was important, and the animal inside her knew they would be in for a workout later. Again, she blushed from her thoughts.
“Relax on the couch while I clean up,” Kye said as he picked up their plates.
Evie took a seat, but she couldn’t relax. All she could think about was when they’d touch. She wiped her hands on her jeans and wondered how he planned on doing it. Would he just come over and kiss her? Did he have some ritual he wanted to attempt for the contact?
“Stop worrying,” Kye said, standing in the doorway that led to the living room from the kitchen.
“I don’t know what to do,” she admitted, biting her bottom lip when she noticed his eyes were throwing amber sparks.
“Stand up,” he ordered, moving around the table that sat in front of the couch. “We can either do it here, or go to my room upstairs.”
“Here,” she blurted, feeling heat creep up her neck. “Just do it, Kye. I’ve waited long enough.”
“If you’re sure,” he grinned, moving to stand in front of her.
“I am,” she whispered, looking up into his eyes. He was so close, she could feel the warmth coming off of his body.
“I’m going to kiss you now,” he warned as his hands raised to cup her face.
Evie closed her eyes in anticipation. This was it… the night they’d been waiting to arrive for over three years. They didn’t have to live separately anymore, or go by the terms of boyfriend and girlfriend. It was time to be mates, forever.
Kye cupped her face and immediately pressed his lips to her, starting slow. The passion of the kiss heated, coiling tightly around her body. His tongue was rough, but it didn’t matter because so was hers. Heat swirled between them from the dire need for each other, but nothing happened.
The spark wasn’t there.
The overwhelming urge to mate was nonexistent.
“No,” they both gasped.
Evie’s birthday had come to an end… and Kye was not her mate.
The healer put away supplies as he watched the local news. The breaking story was yet another hidden facility used by the Community being busted and the people inside were arrested.
A source close to the National Guard has confirmed that they have now started finding shifters in other forms than human. This facility alone has been found with the bodies of wolves, black panthers, and brown bears. It is assumed, but not proven, the animals are part human. An autopsy has been ordered on the remains.
“Fuck,” Harold cursed, his heart aching for the ones who were lost.
How many more hidden facilities were there? So far, the count was five, but he was sure there were more. According to the sheriff, there was one that might possibly take Evie, and the Shaw pride had vowed to keep her safe until the danger was over.
Harold was sure that the sheriff’s vision was indeed going to come true. The Watcher had abilities beyond simple supernatural enhancements. They’d been searching histories and mythologies to find out what type of other beings had been seen in his vision of them taking Evie to the scientists, and so far, had come up with two possibilities: vampires or aliens.
Vampires were few and far between. They kept so well hidden, Harold hadn’t seen one since he had been a young cub. Thankfully, their kind were not enemies. As far as the aliens, the healer had to laugh. It wasn’t a possibility. The human government had too many technologies in place for an extraterrestrial being to be able to slip past to infiltrate the Earth, let alone work for a cult such as the Community.
A knock on the door brought him out of his thoughts. He set aside a box of gloves and opened the door to find Talon standing there with his wife’s hand held tightly in his. The overwhelming calm that hit him square in the chest had the healer smiling. Liberty’s scent was strong, and the alpha’s concern was thick in the air.
“So, looks like we have another cub on the way.” Harold grinned, hiding the worry over another innocent being brought into the world they lived in that was no longer safe.