82. The Marking

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