Page 78 of His Wild Mate

“I thought we were mated. But if we're not and there's more to it, then maybe that's why it hasn't stopped.”

“The curse?”

She nodded. “My grandmother said the curse would lift when I took a mate. She was so certain of it. I thought I had, but if I haven't, then the curse is still alive and well.”

“Thomas, did you hear that? If you lift the damn order, I can claim her and the curse should end.”

“That's all hypothetical. I need to ensure the order holds first. You saw what happened. I can't take any chances with this. You're just going to have to be patient.”

“You're an asshole,” I muttered under my breath.

Paige turned my face to look at her. “If this is true, then the curse could end in a month. One more cycle and it could all be over.”

She looked so hopeful that I almost hated to explain to her what it actually meant to bond herself to me. And I hoped like hell she'd still want me once I did.

Dinner stayed light in conversation after that, the usually jovial bantering that always occurred when we all got together. My family was no exception to that. When we were done, Kate refused to let any of us pay for the meals, claiming it was Wyatt's turn to pay anyway. It was true we all took turns picking up the bill, but this was different. Plus, it never went unnoticed that by taking turns it usually meant a battle between Wyatt and Thomas, despite the fact we were all more than capable of paying.

I knew better than to argue with her. She was as stubborn as they came.

We said goodbye to everyone in the parking lot and then I took my mate home, though I went the long way and gave her a quick tour of Collier territory. It felt right to do it while she wasn't in heat and I was there to protect her.

“It's nice,” she said.

Something seemed to be troubling her, but I didn't know what it could be.

“Are you okay?” I finally asked her.

My wolf was very in tune with hers, and I could feel that something was definitely bothering her.

“I just feel stupid. I know I'm not the smartest person. I didn't have the chance to go to high school. Hell, I barely went to middle school. And I don't have a lot of experience in the world because I've been running and hiding from it most of my life. But I thought when you said I was your mate that it was done. We were mated. Or atthe very least that when we had sex that had sealed us together. Now you're telling me that wasn't it and we aren't mates?”

A growl ripped through me before I could stop it.

“You are my mate, Paige. Hell, you're my one true mate. The one person in this entire universe that was created just for me, as I was created for you. But no, we haven't sealed that bond yet. You can still walk away, though I can't imagine it would be easy to break the bond already forming between us. If that's what you want, then I'll find a way to make it happen.”

Pain sliced through my chest and I wanted to scream out in anger at the thought, but somehow I managed to keep my composure and wait for her response.

“What? No! That's not what I want. I already decided that I want to stay with you. I tried to leave once before and it hurt too much. I think I need you, and it scares the shit out of me. I've never needed or wanted anyone in my life, but I desperately need you.”

I let out a sharp breath. “Oh thank God.”

“So will you tell me how we're supposed to become mated if we haven't already done so?”

I pulled the car over next to the river. It had been a favorite hangout spot for me and the guys back in the day. We'd spent hours fishing and just laying out on the rocks talking, and later drinking.

“Please?” she asked.

I nodded. “It's more than just sex.”

“Obviously. I've figured that much out.”

Smiling, I continued. “It requires a blood exchange. I have to bite you, and you have to bite me back. It will mark us physically as a sign of our bond.”

“That's it? I just have to bite you?”

“And I have to bite you. See the problem?”

“Not really. I mean you are perfectly capable of using your mouth on me. We’ve definitely confirmed that.”

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