Page 44 of Jayce

Anjal’s ancestor built this herd. If we had an official leader, it would be his grandpatér, the oldest living descendant in that line. He’s living out his last days with his mate in their home. They are of the few not in attendance today.

We’re a community. Not a government or a pack like wolves with an alpha. We’re family.

Lucas Drakos, Anjal’s patér, stands up. “My son and his cousin are asking for our help. Who has any ideas?”

“We could challenge them to a mating ceremony?” Angelina, one of my many indiscretions, timidly suggests after Circe whispered in her ear.

Lucas looks her over before speaking. “A mating ceremony challenge would mean we have to allow them to test our women. Are you saying you’re willing to see if any of these twelve feral Minotaurs are your mate?”

Angelina slinks back into the crowd.

“We have to find our mates somewhere. Surely, a true mate would heal whatever’s broken in them,” Circe says, finding her courage.

“It sounds as if you are broken yourself, if you’d volunteer yourself or your sisters to a life of slavery on a what if.” Emjay’s disdain for Circe is clear in her tone.

Circe holds her head higher. “We want children of our own. Our men refuse to give them to us unless we’re mated. Don’t we deserve a chance to have a family however we see fit?”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing.

“Does anyone else feel this way?” Lucas asks.

One by one, hands raise. Daphne, Angelina, Lydia, Alexa, Maria, Amara, Cassandra, Sophia, Evangeline, Penelope. All heifers I’ve bedded.

Circe smirks in my direction.

Emjay cries out, “You can’t be serious. There’s an entire world of human men out there who will give you a family.”

“And rip us of our longevity at the same time,” Amara speaks up.

“Besides, how do we know for certain Anjal and Jayce won’t match with one of us during the ceremony?” Circe’s real motive is now clear.

“Parents talk some sense into your daughters. We’ll reconvene at the same time tomorrow. Please, bring some other ideas that don’t involve sacrificing our people,” Lucas says while running his hands through his hair.

Chapter 29

Shay

Jayce remains quiet on the walk back to the house. I wait until we’re inside to ask my question.

“What is this mating ceremony?”

He walks to the kitchen and pours himself a double shot of whiskey. I wait for him to finish. Is it that bad? Is he worried Circe will prove she’s his mate?

I take a seat on a stool while he pours another.

“It’s an ancient ritual. One that proved we really are cattle.”

“Okay.”

“The more we integrated with humanity over the years, the more barbaric our ways seemed.”

He finishes the drink.

“Our ancestors would send an invitation to the closest herds. Think of Cinderella and the glass slipper. We were desperate to procreate—to find our true mate. All the heifers would line up in front of every available male. We called on our bull.

“You see, our bull is telepathic. We communicate with our thoughts only with the other men in our bull form. There’s one exception. Our true mate.”

“That doesn’t sound so awful.”

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