Page 54 of Scorned

After he installed the car seat, Peach strapped the baby in, then her and Lyric said their goodbyes to Lane and entered the Jeep.

“It was nice meeting you, Lane.” I put my hand out to shake his, but he took it instead, gently kissing the back of it before letting go.

“I wish you all the luck finding the one you love.”

The kind gesture made me feel like he was a genuinely nice guy. It also made me want to play matchmaker.

“There are a few girls back at the camp that may tickle your fancy, or however you say it.”

Lane laughed, then shook his head. “I was kidding about flirting with you. I’m sorry if I came off as a creep. I know you’ve had it rough lately, so I said it to break the tension that was in your face and maybe make you feel a little better. It’s weird to say aloud because only a few people know but I’m actually in love with someone else. I do appreciate the offer to help me tickle my fancy, though.”

“Shit. I’m sorry. Dani said you were single, so I didn’t know.”

“She’s always trying to fix me up.” Lane pushed his blond hair behind his ear and nervously glanced at the cabin before turning his attention back to me. “You’re pretty good at keeping secrets, I hear. Can I tell you something?”

“I mean, at this point, I feel like I know so many secrets I probably can’t remember them all, so go for it.”

“I’m not sure you’ll even know what this means, but I actually found my fated mate.”

I sucked in a hard breath.

After living at Drag’s camp for months, I heard a lot about the wolven and their fated mates. Sometimes, destiny chooses the person they fall in love with. They can’t run from it or control it unless they’re rejected by that person. It’s similar to the blood bond a vampire has with their mate. I also heard how much of an honor it was to bring your mate and present them to their pack, so the fact that his sister-in-law didn’t know, confused me.

“Why haven’t you told Dani?”

“That’s the secret part. My fated is also a promised luna, which is a woman who’s obligated to marry an alpha male due to hierarchy and family ranking. Most of the packs don’t follow the old ass tradition anymore, but the one she’s in still does.”

“That’s horrible. How does she feel about the situation?”

“She, umm . . . she doesn’t know because I’m too scared to tell her.”

“Wait.” I shook my head and put my hands up. “Heston told the humans back at camp that both wolven know the instant a fated mate thing happens. Each person has to agree or reject the bond, or something like that.”

Lane laughed. “The fated mate thing is called a pairing, and the bond is called a nexus. Wolven have to claim their mate to seal the nexus. But for some reason, her being promised to another wolven is blocking her from feeling our bond. I talked to some elders about it, but it’s a situation no one’s ever heard of happening before. And personally, I would never reject a fated mate. Which most of the wolven I know wouldn’t unless they see an immediate issue. Possibly if there was a huge age gap or they’re in love with someone else. Otherwise, I don’t really see why anyone would reject someone. At least not after the feelings that surged through me when I met her.”

Lane’s pupils dilated as he stared off into the distance, his yearning expression thickening the air. “When I looked into her eyes for the first time, it was like she was the electricity that lit up my senses that were shadowed in a house I didn’t even know was dark. ”

I stared wide-eyed, unable to comprehend that feeling. “I wish I could say I understand, but I didn’t have that with Luka. I never felt any kind of electricity or connection click into place. Not like the ones I’ve heard the wolven talk about.”

Lane put his hand on my shoulder and gently rubbed his finger back and forth. “It’s because humans can’t feel a lenxus bond. If you had paired with a wolven, you would’ve sensed the nexus, but since you bonded to a vampire, you won’t experience it the same way he does because you’re still human. He won’t even feel the full strength of the lenxus until you’re turned into a vampire.”

I pulled my shoulder away from him in confusion . . . or possibly irritation. “Who said I would turn?”

“If you don’t turn, then you are the person who rejects their mate. It’s sad, but I’m just being honest.”

“I . . . umm.” My breaths became fast as I swallowed down the words at the tip of my tongue, unable to process the twenty different thoughts running through my head.

Will Luka feel rejected if I stay human? Will he stay with me when I get old? Do I want to be a vampire? Do vampires still have periods?

Because if not, I may quickly decide to change because the cramps I had were killing me.

“You’ll make the right choice when the time comes, Sage.”

The baby in the car let out a wail and Lyric tapped on the window, rushing me.

“You better go. It was really nice meeting you. I hope you save your mate from the eternal hell he’s in.”

“And I hope you save yours,” I whispered, my heart hurting from the sadness glistening in his eyes. I couldn’t help but put my hands out for a hug that he gracelessly accepted.

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