Page 15 of Jayce

Anjal and I lock eyes. A silent understanding passes between us. No one will take our mates from us. In this moment, our hearts beat as one.

The air is thick with the sound of clashing horns and the echo of mighty blows.

My cousins, nephews, friends, patér, grandpatér, and friends won’t sleep tonight. Our muscles ripple with strength as we engage in a dance of combat. We practiced every evening until our movements were fluid and precise.

Each clash of horn and sinew is a testament to my people’s unyielding resolve to protect the ones we love from the encroaching threat.

As the sun rises, casting an ethereal glow upon the clearing, our training reaches its climax.

With a final, thunderous clash, they all lower their horns toward Anjal and me in a gesture of mutual respect.

While our bodies glisten with sweat and exertion, our spirits unite in the face of adversity.

Chapter 11

Shay

Neither of us could sleep. We let Anjal and Jayce believe we were fine as they left us.

“Where do you think they went?” I ask Priscilla while she pours the wine.

“They went to spar. We can watch from the window.” She points to the pillows laid out underneath the window frame, as if Cill watches the men in their bull form often.

I fix my gaze on the clearing full of what appears to be all the men in the herd. They’ve already shifted. All but two of them. Our two.

A sense of urgency courses through me as I watch Jayce. I’ve never seen him shift.

When Priscilla and I accidentally stumbled into the labyrinth for the first time, our attention remained on Anjal as he shifted from bull to human.

The bones under Jayce’s muscles morph. Priscilla assures me that the transformation doesn’t hurt.

My heart clenches in my chest with a mixture of awe and trepidation. Can I get used to this? Fear and admiration well up inside of me.

He stands tall. His horns beam in the moonlight like twin crescents of silver.

Jayce carries himself with a sense of purpose as each step of his hooves move toward the others.

They’re all on the field preparing to defend my sister and me against an unknown herd.

My soul swells with a sense of pride at my mate’s unwavering courage and determination.

I ignore the word “mate” that came to mind while he moves in and out of the choreographed steps without faltering.

As if he sensed me watching him, he pauses and looks my way. Ours.

I slink away from the window at the one word I heard in my thoughts. Did his bull just speak to me?

Frick, I’m never going to be able to walk away from him. Not even when his true mate claims him.

Chapter 12

Jayce

With a trembling fist, I knock on Anjal’s door where Shay is staying until I convince her to move in with me.

I wait nervously. It’s a new sensation based on my history with women. I’ve never had to woo anyone. It’s not my fault that they throw themselves at me. I only wished I’d been a stronger man and controlled my sexual urges more.

My heart pounds in my chest. And the bouquet of tulips I’m clutching seems to wilt in my hand.

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