Chapter 32
Nigel Quintin Ulysses

My parents came for a few days and they left again almost immediately. There are times that I wish they could just be the normal parents, the ones that almost everyone has. I want to talk to my mother and ask how she likes to keep the receipts of the things she buys and why she never throws them away, and I want to talk to my father about basketball and how he became an MVP when he was in high school. The trophy is still inside their room, placed on my mom's desk table because he always wants her to see that she married an athletic and amazing guy. My mother has always been proud of that and she has always admired dad. They stayed home and we talked for hours, catching up on the things we've missed together. We ate ice cream, played solitaire, and my dad even went as far to have a basketball game with me. It turns out that he's still good, and my mom was watching us play. This was what I needed – a distraction.

It's been days since Marcus went to the Cornerstone Pack to make a deal with them and I'd say that my days were very lonely. I miss him, like a lot. My heart aches every time I think of him, and how I miss his touch. I miss his voice, and his body on mine. I miss his lips. I think about his lips all the time and how wonderful it is to be placed on mine. Have I really turned into a beast-loving human? I would have never thought that I'd be with a werewolf. Hell, I didn't even think that they ever existed. But somehow I got caught up in this and I ended up having a werewolf boyfriend.

There are werewolf warriors watching me just to keep me safe. Trust me, I really don't mind. But sometimes they get under my skin. Like, do they have to watch me all the time? Ever since Marcus and I's relationship became public in the werewolf world, and ever since I got anointed as the first Guardian of the Mortals – which I don't really know how that stuff works, they have been keeping watch on me. I know that this is what Marcus wants, and if that's what he wants, then so be it. I can't have him worry about me much when he's not supposed to be.

When I spent time with the Alpha's mate, Kieran, he told me that it's never okay for a werewolf to have a human mate, as it's considered dangerous and even deadly. He told me a story about a werewolf who had a human mate, and it didn't end well for both ends – humans and werewolves. Hunters were born. They are born to hunt and give nightmares to the werewolves – they are to kill them mercilessly. So that's why the first generation of Elders decided to consider a werewolf having a human mate unacceptable. They forbid it. As Kieran told me that, he just shook his head and told me that a werewolf would never abandon his mate, regardless of who or what it is. It can't be stopped. Even though the Elders are werewolves, they have a different thinking than the regular ones. The only reason I'm not being given a hard time is because of the order of the Alpha and the Marcus.

As I saunter my way towards the dining area of the pack house, where a lot of people are already seated as they eat their meals, almost everyone looks at me. They are still not used to having a human around them. I can't blame them, though.

Kieran immediately grabs my hand without uttering a words and I hear a low growl, and it comes from the Alpha himself. I hang my head down and try to pry hand away from Kieran's grasp, but he holds on tighter until we're seated on their table. He puts a roasted chicken in front of me with carrots on the side and gives me a small smile as he motions for me to eat. I purse my lips. On the table, it's only me, Kieran, the Alpha, Perry, and Dave.

"Have... have you... heard any news about Marcus?" I ask hesitantly as I lower my gaze down on the roasted chicken in front of me, grabbing the fork and dabbing it. I guess it's just to help me keep my heart from beating loudly. I haven't talked to Marcus yet, and the last time we spoke was before he left. "I miss him... terribly." I really do.

Surprisingly, the Alpha says, "He's going to be home soon. Very soon." I look up at him and my eyes meet his, so I lower my gaze down again. Even just by staring at his eyes, I can already feel that he's so powerful. So powerful that he can suffocate me with it. "And he told me he misses you so badly. He couldn't even keep his mouth shut about you."

"Really?" I purse my lips, but a small smile is beginning to tug on my lips.

"You're his mate, why wouldn't he?" Kieran chortles as he grabs his mate's hand. I look at their intertwined hands and I wish I could do that with Marcus right now. "It's normal for a werewolf to gush about his or her mate."

"Yeah, but I still can't believe Marcus hasn't jumped your bones yet." Perry butts in, shoving a large piece of roasted chicken in his mouth as he stares at me. Oh right, the Beta. My cheeks redden and I suddenly feel hot. I've been with these werewolves too long to know what he meant by that. Dave whacks the back of his mate's head and glares at him, but smiles at me apologetically. Perry chokes on his food and immediately grabs a glass of water and downs it then he turns his head to his mate with wide eyes. "What did you do that for?"

"Because you are an idiot." Dave crosses his arms across his chest and raises a brow at his mate.

"But I'm your idiot... and you love me."

"True that."

The truth is... before Marcus left, I told him that I had a surprise for him. I know how important it is for a werewolf to claim his or her mate by having sex with them, or something along like that. Like I said, I've been with these werewolves for too long that I know how they really work. So it's my plan to surprise Marcus and tell him that I'm ready to be claimed by him.

I would be lying if I tell myself that I'm not scared. After all, it's going to be my first time, and it's going to be with a man. And a fucking werewolf. So tell me why should I not be scared again? A probably huge dick is going to be up in my ass, and I'm supposed to find pleasure with that. I have already figured that I would be the girl in this relationship, and I should be mortified with that, but I'm not. How fucked up is that?

"Kieran... can I talk to you?" I ask him, staring hopefully in his eyes. He stares back. "In private. Please?" Everyone turns their eyes on me, and I'm getting uncomfortable as each second passes by. Finally, Kieran nods, stands up, and motions for me to follow him.

We have arrived to a much less crowded place, but the people are far enough to hear. I guess so. I mean, I know werewolves have a strong sense of hearing, but if this is where Kieran brought me, then I would assume that they wouldn't be able to hear us talking. Plus, there's too much noise going on.

"What do you want to talk about?" he asks me.

Biting my lower lip, I look down, suddenly finding the floor interesting as I kick my foot on the ground. He waits for me to speak, and I'm more than grateful for that. Finally having the courage to as him directly, I look at him and muster up a courage to say it. "How does the mating thing work?"

At first he looks at me like I've grown a second hand and I immediately regret asking him about this stuff. "Don't mind it. I'm just going to figure it out..."

As I'm about to turn around, Kieran grabs my arm and turns me around. He gives me a small smile and shakes his head. "You don't have to worry about that. I promise you, if you're ready, then he's ready. You don't have to take things further if you are not ready. Marcus will not like it. He cares for you deeply, and he will always put your feelings first before his. And when you're ready, Marcus would know and you just let the things flow."

Somehow his words strike a chord in my heart and I smile brightly. "You think so?" He nods. "I think I'm ready. I mean... to be honest, I can't think my future without him there, you know? Like I need him 24/7. Does that sound bad?"

Kieran shakes his head. "No. I feel the same way." As if on cue, he looks past my shoulder where his mate is and he sighs dreamily. "You know our story already. It wasn't the perfect story; we never had a good start. But somehow, look at us. Look where we are. He was a bully, he didn't like me, he didn't like men at all. He wasn't gay. I ran away, lost my wolf, practically caused havoc. But he stayed. He held on when I let go. And I wasn't aware. I didn't know. But if I hadn't run away, I was sure he would beg me to stay."

I remain silent, fumbling with my fingers. He grabs my hands.

"Don't ever let go of Marcus." He says as he looks at me in the eye. "Believe it or not, he will always be stuck with you. He was looking for his mate his entire life, and once he saw you, he would never ever let you go. Just enjoy your time with and I guarantee you, you'll be at your happiest."

"Thank you... that means a lot." I give him a hug and he returns it back.

"You're welcome." Kieran grins at me. "Now let's go back before Cloud thinks I'm having an affair with you. I can't risk two men fighting over us. Marcus and Cloud will put up a hell of a fight."

Chuckling, I shake my head and we both head back to our table where my friends are. Yeah, I consider them as my friends. Because they are Marcus' friends, and I'm pretty sure they've accepted me already.

When Marcus gets back... I'm definitely going to mate with him.

There's no stopping.

***
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I love you all.