“All of your strong feelings.” He shot me a sheepish smile. “I’m not trying to snoop. It just allows us to be responsive.”
“And what does it smell like?” I asked as I raked a hand through my hair, then smoothed down my clothes, making sure I was presentable.
“Like burned feathers,” Kyle answered as he joined us. His wrinkled nose indicating what he thought of that.
“Oh.”
“It’s an evolutionary feature,” Asher replied, pocketing the car keys. “It forces us to take notice of how you’re feeling at all times. Negative emotions provoke an instinctual response in us to make sure you experience that as little as possible. Positive ones…” His eyes slid down my body, but he jerked them back up to meet my gaze. “They ensure we keep doing what pleases you.”
Like he had in my dream. I flushed when I realised each time I’d re-experienced that fantasy and he’d been in the room, he’d known what I was feeling, thinking. The blush grew fiery as I remembered every time I’d thought about it.
“That scent.” He nodded slowly. “Yes, we will do almost anything to inspire that one over and over, but…” His focus shifted to the building. “Our customs dictate you must go into this situation with open eyes. You’ll talk to the elders?—”
“I will?” I asked, glancing at them. “By myself?”
“It’s to make sure we’re not seen to be influencing your decision,” Lucas explained as he took my hand. “It’s really important that women consent freely to the mate bond.”
That put some steel in my spine. Reject the bond? Those books always broke my heart, but now it was my turn, I knew I wouldn’t. I could jump through some hoops if that’s what it took to formalise things. I nodded and then started towards the door.
“Hi!”A beautiful woman with bright red hair waved as she rushed forward. “I’m Natalie. Nat, really, that’s what my friends call me.” Her hands took mine. “And you must be Imogen?”
“Um, yeah.” I glanced over to a gorgeous woman standing by her side. “You’ve been given the heads up already?”
“Ellie,” she said, placing a hand on her chest. “And yeah. News travels fast in this community, something you’ll get used to. So, your guys are going to visit with the male elders right now, tell their story. The older men will listen and make sure everything they’ve done is on the up and up.”
“I know this must be completely nerve wracking,” Nat said. “I didn’t have to come before the elders when I met my mates. They’re a little less formal about things than Asher.”
“Asher, formal?” I replied dryly. “I’m not sure I believe you.”
“You’ve worked that out already, huh?” Ellie asked, then nodded to the sliding doors. “Well, come through. The ladies are lovely, really. They’re here for you. If you want to reject?—”
“Nope,” I replied firmly.
“A woman that knows her mind? That makes things easier,” Nat said.
“Well, if you know what you want, this will just be a formality,” Ellie told me. “But the ladies can be an amazing resource. So much knowledge about the process of becoming a sleuth’s mate.”
“Great babysitters,” Natalie added. “The only people that can talk you through having two freaking bear cubs for sons.” She flushed then. “If you want kids.”
“We’re probably jumping the gun a bit here,” Ellie said, shooting her a meaningful look. “Let’s get you inside to meet everyone.”
It lookedlike a really well resourced library, and the stacks of books drew me with their siren’s song, but I kept my feet moving, following the two women into the space. Rather than a formal meeting room with a big table and uncomfortable chairs, ladies of all ages, shapes, and sizes sat around in a loose circle created with a series of comfy looking couches.
“This is her?” The sharp feminine voice had my head whipping around, and a pretty middle-aged woman stared at me. Her eyes widened and she came rushing over. “Oh my goodness…” Her hands took mine and she gave them a squeeze. “Oh, you’re just beautiful. Isn’t she beautiful?” she asked the collective.
“Very,” a woman with bright blue eyes said. “She also has no idea why you’re clasping her hands so tightly.” Her gaze shifted. “Especially her injured one.”
“Oh!” The first woman’s hands shook as she saw the bruises, and I barely suppressed the need to shove it behind my back. “That fucking bastard…”
“Gail said fuck,” the blue-eyed woman drawled. “This will be a good meeting.” She rose to her feet, a picture of elegance. “I’m Ingrid and I say fuck a lot too. You must be Imogen.”
“So people keep saying,” I squeaked out.
“And this is Fern,” Gail said, ushering a quieter woman over with familiar blonde hair and freckles. “She’s–”
“Lucas’ mother,” I finished for her. One hand rose and I gave her a little wave, and that had her smiling.
“I am, and please, by all the bear gods, tell me my son has been behaving.” She looked down at my wrist. “And that he made short work of whoever hurt you.”