Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 19506 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19506 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Trey slowly panned to look at me. "Did you say…immortal?"
"Yes. We are impervious to disease and we regenerate if wounded. The only thing we cannot survive is decapitation. Our immortality was a gift from the gods for our protection of humans."
"So if you protect us, why have I never heard of you?" Trey asked. I was glad that his fear was changing to curiosity.
"Over time, humankind's need for us dwindled, thanks to weapons, industry, and modern medicine. Those who knew of our kind became threatened and scared of our strength. They hunted us and wished to eradicate us all."
"Well, that's a nice thanks," Trey grumbled. "We appreciate you fighting our wars, but you did a little too good of a job, so we're gonna lop your heads off."
I huffed a laugh as I nodded. "That was before my time, but it was understandably hard on many of my elders. They became bitter and withdrew to a life of hiding. They turned their backs on humans, and some even condemned any interaction between the races. They'd exile any shifter who made contact with humans. That's what happened to Rowdy."
"You said that his family disowned him," Trey remembered. "Does that mean…he's a shifter too?"
"Rowdy and Ridge are both shifters. When Rowdy was a child, he accidentally revealed his identity to a human, and our pack expelled him from the family. He was too young to fend for himself, so Ridge and I left our pack to take him in and form our own pack."
"You gave up everything to care for him. You really are a great guy."
"Thank you. You don't know what your words mean to me." I picked up his hand and pressed a gentle kiss to his knuckles. His expression no longer held any fear as a smile tugged at his lips. "Because of my old pack's beliefs and actions, they are missing out on the greatest gift that has been granted to our kind."
"What's that?"
"The goddess Fate was particularly fond of the shifter kind, so she bestowed a very special gift to each one; a human mate to spend their eternity with. She promised us each a lover to provide and care for. They would fulfill our need to protect a human soul, along with every need of our hearts. We know them by sight and instinct, and desire and love them from the first moment we meet. Zane is Ridge's mate, Grayson is Rowdy's," I paused to take a fortifying breath. "And you are mine."
Trey gasped, but said nothing as he took in everything I just told him. When he finally spoke, I was surprised by his words. "So the only reason you helped me is because you had to? If it weren't for some magic gift, you never would've approached me or even been interested in me? I don't want to be an obligation."
He had spent so long hearing that he wasn't good enough that anything else seemed absurd. I clasped his hand in mine and looked into his saddened eyes.
"It is my duty and honor to help anyone in need," I assured. "But when it comes to you and me, please understand; you are not my choice because Fate picked you as my mate. Fate picked you because you are my choice. Fate sees everything that we are and everything that we need, and chooses the person who is our perfect match. You are everything I desire, from your looks to your personality; everything that makes up your soul also makes up mine. Now that we've met, I can't live without you."
"So am I the one who doesn't have a choice?"
"Of course you do. I would never force you to be with me, or to do anything you didn't want to do. Your life is your own; I just wish to share it with you. I will dedicate my life to showing you how amazing you are, and that you deserve every good thing in this world. My purpose is your safety and happiness; to make sure you are loved."
Trey let out a long breath. "Since we met, I've felt this pull to you. Something inside me was telling me to trust you; to get close to you."
"That is the pull of our mate bond," I explained. "Your spirit recognizes mine."
"This is a lot to take in," Trey admitted, running his free hand through his hair.
"I know, and I'm sorry to dump everything on you like this; I just wanted to be open and honest with you."
"I appreciate that. I guess I just wasn't prepared for 'your fated immortal boyfriend is a cougar'." Trey's eyes grew sad once more. "How could this work? You're immortal."
"If you choose to bond with me, you will inherit my immortality as well. Our lifelines will be linked. I can't live without you; we can't live without each other. And from now on, I will never desire another. You are my future."