Page 45 of Jayce

“When it’s done this way, in order for the female to prove she isn’t lying about hearing the bull, the ceremony brands the couple.”

“I don’t understand.”

“The invitation isn’t just for the herds. Helios is called upon to bless the unions. We can’t accept a mate bond as valid without his blessing.”

“Okay, so it’s barbaric, but if it saves Cill, Emjay, and I shouldn’t we…”

“What of the others? Those girls think that having a family and longevity is so important they would trade their freedom.

“It’s all my fault.” Tears pour from his eyes.

I get up from my seat and walk over to him. “How is this your fault?”

“If I’d waited for you…If I hadn’t led them on.”

“How did you lead them on? Did you make them any promises or commitments?”

Jayce shakes his head.

“If these nutso women decide to go through with this…can you?”

“Can I what?” He sounds hopeful.

I shrug. “I don’t know. Maybe invite more than just this feral herd to the ceremony.”

He turns toward me and pulls me into his chest. “Shay, that’s brilliant.”

“It is?”

Jayce releases me and paces the length of the kitchen while working out the details of my idea.

“We won’t subject other herds heifers to this madness, but if we’re the ones sending the invitation, we set the terms.”

“What stipulation would protect these women?”

“If a mate bond forms, the male has to join the heifer’s herd. They can’t take a woman back to their labyrinth.”

“What about me?

“What about you?”

“Jayce, I’m not your true mate. When are we going to face that?”

He looks at me with hunger in his eyes. “I didn’t want to do it this way, but you’re just so stubborn.”

I back away. “What way?”

His eyes shift as he gets closer. I’m his prey. My instincts scream at me to run. Yet my mind tells me that running from a predator is dangerous.

Ours. No one else’s. Mate.

With those words from his bull, I run.

Chapter 30

Circe

“What if we get stuck with one of those monsters?” Daphne pushes.

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