An hour later I sat on the couch pouting, which made me angry because I liked to think I wasn’t the pouty type. I’d actually tried to wash the markings off my arm, it didn’t work. It still burned, a constant reminder that it was there.
When someone knocked on the door, I ignored it. I was pretty sure it would be one or another of the eight males I really didn’t want to see right now. They could just wait until tomorrow or longer. What I really wanted to do was go home and almost had, then I remembered that Crissy was there and explanations would be required for why I had a full sleeve tattoo. I wasn’t in the mood.
My phone vibrated across the table. Grabbing it, I planned to turn it off when I saw the message notice. Troy had text me, I didn’t even know he knew how. Scowling, I opened the message hoping it wasn’t some stupid denial muttering. Instead it read Open the damn door for Mitz before she threatens to castrate me again! I had to smirk, even though I didn’t want to.
A knock on the door had me scowling once more. Feeling like I had no choice, I went over and unlocked the door. Mitz peaked in and then came in and closed and locked it behind her.
She came over and just stood there, with compassion and understanding on her face. Her eyes moved slowly over my arm. “If it’s any consolation Troy feels like a heel right now.”
I huffed out a breath, a non-descript sound and dropped back down on the couch. “He claims he didn’t know it was happening.”
Coming over she perched on the edge of the cushion and turned to look at me. “He’s not lying. Fate has a way to insure mates are …” her eyes flicked to my arm. “mated if they’re in close proximity of each other.”
More details no one had shared. “What do you mean?”
Clasping her hands in her lap, in a way that was so patient I wanted to growl, she smiled. “When mates are near to one another they are irresistibly attracted to each other.” She shrugged. “You aren’t the first to be marked without prior agreement and I dare say you won’t be the last.” Flicking an imaginary piece of lint off her skirt, she kept her head down. “It almost happened with Chase, but he was able to sense it happening. Troy was overcome with …” she gave me a little smile, “well, you know more than I on that matter. What I mean is he couldn’t have stopped even if he wanted to. The male is driven with the desire to claim their mate, even in some cases when they don’t want to.” Sighing, she leaned back against the cushions. “In history I can’t even recall a male that escaped it, not even the strongest or most fierce of our kind.”
My head began to throb with this new information. “What does all of this mean, really?” I caught myself rubbing my hand over the tattoo on my arm.
She smiled again and leaned forward. “It is lovely, you’re very lucky to have one that looks both feminine on the woman and masculine on the male. It hasn’t always been so.” Clearing her throat, she gave me a serious look. “What it means is Troy will never want another, ever, even if you don’t do the blood rite.” She shrugged. “Many don’t. You may be marked, but if you truly…” she reached over and brushed the hair back from my face. “Truly don’t want to be his, then that too is your right.”
Confusion swirled inside my mess of a brain. “But you just said he won’t ever want anyone else, doesn’t that go both ways?”
Another patient smile appeared on her face. “I didn’t say it would be easy. You’re both going to be drawn to the other constantly and there will be some discomfort.” She smirked. “I used to know a woman that fought it for close to a year, she was very determined, but in the end they ended up together and have been gloriously happy for the last five decades.”
I heaved out a sigh, I wanted to cry and whine, something to make me feel better. “I don’t even know if I like Troy.” I looked down at my arm. “I mean I’m certainly attracted to him, but as a person, I don’t even know him.”
Reaching out, she patted my arm softly. “I have no doubt you’ll like him, fate isn’t that cruel. Just give it some time, there’s no rush, love.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “I’m sorry, I’ve just felt like I finally have a daughter since you’ve come and I worry constantly those beastly boys are going to screw that up.”
Well, crap. Dropping my head down, I took a deep breath. It wouldn’t do any good if I started blubbering too. “I’m not going anywhere, Mitz, I may run and hide from time to time but I’m staying.” She launched herself at me and hugged me so tight I thought she was going to squish all the parts inside me.
“It’s been nerve wracking, the things you’ve going through since you found us.” Straightening, she masked her face and became the strong motherly woman once more. “Now, you and Troy need to discuss this and get it out in the open. We can’t have you not focusing on the present tasks.”
I knew she was referring to Marcus, and she was right, but I didn’t know if I could talk to him just yet. “I’ll go find him later.”
She smirked. “Honey, he has been camped outside your door since you took off in his bed linen.”
I blushed.
“He’s been growling at any brother that even enters the same hallway as your room.”
I groaned, knowing I would have to talk to him now. Nodding, I sat up. “Fine.”
Getting up, she took two steps toward the door and then stopped and looked back at me. “Any more questions before I leave you to tend to things?”
Closing my eyes, I sighed again. “This blood rite, what exactly is it and how do I avoid it?”
She chuckled. “It’s exactly what it sounds like, you exchange each other’s blood and irrevocably tie yourself to one another.” She smiled. “I guess the best way to avoid it is try not to take a bite out of him.”
Rubbing my hands over my face, I suddenly felt really tired. “Good to know.”
“Try to get some rest, love.” She went over and opened the door, Troy appeared in it before she could take another step. Craning her neck, she glared up at him and poked him in the chest. “You. Behave.”
His eyes flicked to me briefly before he glanced back down at her and nodded.