What had just happened? Tatum couldn’t understand. He felt her hurt through the bond but he didn’t know why. How could she be hurt? He had just told her she was his saving grace. How could that be a bad thing?Frustrated, he sprinted through the woods, the wind blowing his face violently. He didn’t mind. His wolf seemed to love it. Nothing had prepared him for the confession she’d shared about Eugene. Anger, betrayal, hurt… all of it had rushed through him. It was as though he was experiencing deja vu. A similar situation had happened with his brother and Wonjo. He felt like he had gone back in time—like he was reliving history. Eugene had kissed Baka and then stood next to him talking so casually about her, as though nothing was amiss. As though he didn’t know what her lips tasted like.He’d said nothing about what they had done—simply stood there listening to Tatum share his innermost desires about Baka.He wanted to throttle him.The full moon cast a pretty glow on the surroundin
Nothing could have prepared Baka for what Tatum had just told her. Even if she had suspected it, hearing it being confirmed was a different thing entirely.How could she be his mate? Who even determined that? She was human, he was part wolf. So how could they be mates in any universe? She didn’t know how mates worked but she was pretty sure it was uncommon for werewolves to mate with a human. If not, she would have heard rumors about it. And she had heard nothing.Yet when he had spoken to her in her mind, she knew that couldn’t be normal. She remembered hearing about werewolf mates whose bonds were so strong that they could talk to each other telepathically. She just hadn’t known it could happen with a human. “We’re not just mates, are we?” she asked after a few minutes had passed.Tatum shook his head. “No. We’re what my people call true mates. Have you heard of that?”“A little.”“True mates are rarer and more powerful than normal mates. One significant difference is that we can
With a tentative look, Baka squared her nose at Tatum. “I don’t know how you werewolves ask someone out but there’s usually a question involved.”He laughed, sniffling a little. His eyes had become moist again. The most surprising thing about him was how easily he cried. It amazed her every time.“Right, where are my manners?” He grinned at her and to her utter surprise, bent down on one knee. Her jaw nearly dropped as he stayed on a bent knee, wiping away at his eyes. He leaned closer to her and whispered, “Bakady Ruby Clark, will you do me the honor of becoming my mate?”She smiled at him, pouring all her emotions into her eyes. They had begun to well up again with fresh tears. She wished she wasn’t so constrained. She wanted to reach out and hug him to herself. She couldn’t remember ever feeling so happy. “Yes, Tatum. With all my heart.”Tatum hung his head in relief, then stared adoringly down at her, his eyes lingering at her lips. She could see the pure torment in his eyes. “Rep
The cans of baked beans lay abandoned on the table as Baka and Tatum talked about everything and anything well into the night. It was as though the months of hiding their emotions and thoughts finally leaked out that night making them express themselves to one another in a way they never had before.Tatum found himself telling her about many things in his life and childhood that he’d never told a soul before. And he enjoyed it. He enjoyed listening to her too, telling him about her life with her family—her brother, Henry, her father, and mother. What their lives had been like before the werewolves first attack.He noticed that her tone no longer sounded accusatory towards him when she retold her past, as though she had forgiven him. But Tatum knew that was too much to hope for. For now, he was just happy that she had accepted him as her mate. He still couldn’t believe it. He refused to think about her dalliance with Eugene. One kiss didn’t make them soulmates. And she had said it woul
Baka could scarcely believe how healed she was already. Her broken wrist and fingers had righted themselves and she barely felt any pain around her body. It felt like seeing a miracle. But she knew it was their bond at work.They were heading back to the palace in the same car they had used to go to Avenue City. Baka couldn't believe how close the cabin was to the palace and yet no one had an inkling because of how buried it was in the woods.It was a little past midnight the next day. Tatum had said it was best to return to the city under the cover of night since she wasn’t particularly dressed appropriately, being in his shirt and small boxer shorts. She loved how comfortable his clothes were on her skin given how baggy they felt. And secretly, she loved the feeling of wearing something that belonged to him. It was as intimate a thing as ever.He had told her that the marking had made them one in every sense of the word, that they now shared the same scent, and that it would be not
Tatum sat at his desk reading a couple of reports Thorin had left for him. For all accounts, the city was doing well despite his short absence. He’d seen Aisha Aethelite’s note on what she intended them to do for the day; a small picnic near the bank of the river within the woods. She’d chosen a quiet, intimate setting. It gave him a little glimpse of her character and he hoped he was not mistaken as he had been with Tamara. But it didn’t matter. He simply didn’t want to spend the day with another intolerable woman. He didn’t want his happy mood ruined. The events of the past few days spent with Baka still felt surreal to him. But one thing was for certain—she was the only person he wanted to do anything intimate with.Her attack on Aja had surprised him. He knew she was fierce but he had no idea she could be that fierce. Violence was one thing he did not condone and only allowed when necessary. Yet he couldn’t blame Baka. If it were up to him, he would’ve allowed her to continue
Baka’s mother never seemed to run out of tears as she held unto Baka like her life depended on it. She inspected her daughter thoroughly trying to check for any wounds and wouldn’t let go of her. Baka let her hold unto her for as long as she wanted to. She had missed her mother so much. Missed her scent and her voice and her crushing hugs. She would never forgive herself if anything were to happen to her mother because of her.It was just shy of curfew and they both sat together on the floor in the room they once shared. This was the only time they could meet without arousing suspicion. But it was only a matter of time before the other girls joined them too.“Thorin has had his eyes on me like a hawk,” her mother was saying. “I’m not sure what to think about it, except that it cannot be good.”Tatum had told her he had left a trusted friend looking after her mother. Baka knew it had to have been Thorin. “Don’t worry, Mother. We’re safe.”“Don’t worry? Child, you were gone for days wit
Baka made her way upstairs as quietly as she could. The house was asleep but anyone could still be awake at this point. Habit had her walking into the slaves quarters before she remembered she was supposed to make the Alpha King’s bed.He was out on his date with Aisha Aethelite and she suspected he wouldn’t be back till much later in the night. She had only stayed with him for one night since the incident with Aja. It would’ve been too suspicious even with Aja recovering at Freya’s shop.She often saw Emily throw weird glances at her, eager to question her. But for whatever reason, she hadn’t made her questions known. Wasting no time, she headed for the stairs. Her hand rested on the newel cap and she started her ascent.“Baka,” someone whispered behind her. She turned around and saw Eugene looking back at her. Her palms became clammy. She’d almost forgotten he was still around, having delayed his departure to be of some help to Tatum after what happened to her. A part of her was