Page 26 of Sasquatch's Claiming

“So what do you propose we do?” Coraliane asked. “The council is here and we can figure this out. We can’t let an almost breach happen again. The attack on Ben was too close for comfort.”

Bernadette looked at Ben and her heart sank. Was she putting him in danger? Was she putting all these other beings in danger just because she happened to be falling in love with her Sasquatch?

Why couldn’t things just be simple for her?

Aoife was shimmering again, her eyes closed as she was deep in thought. “We need to patrol the confines of the veil. In all our parts. Put the word out to others. I think it’s important weallow intermixing to happen, but again…it has to be consensual. I don’t want mates being carried off into the night. The human has to willingly be able to see or be with one of our kind.”

“That’s going to be hard to monitor,” an elf piped up. “Especially, when Sasquatches are known for centuries to raid the villages for brides.”

Ben snarled and all his brothers did too. Adam took a step forward. “We haven’t raided for a mate in a long time, elf.”

“Well, King Tiene didn’t want the breeding,” the elf responded. “What if he declares war? You know him and his son Ivar are all about powerful magic.”

Ben was increasingly hatingthis discussion. But everyone was making valid points. When that wendigo broke through, it was specifically coming for his mate. For Bernadette. And this wasn’t the first time she had attracted the wrong kind of being to her.

The demon, the chthulu, even Cillian had been called to her presence.

What was it about her blood that sang to others?

It had certainly called out to him when he saw her atThe Lusty Krakenmonths ago.

“I will go to speak Tiene,” Coraliane responded. “This is our realm and he can’t rule us. Besides, he’s so battered and broken, I don’t think he could attack our realm again.”

There were some relieved murmurs.

“You think so?” Aoife asked Coraliane.

“Positive.” Coraliane pursed her lips together, her brow furrowed. “You’re right, we have to loosen the laws and allow the intermingling. It’s the only way.”

“What about this wendigo?” Bernadette asked.

Coraliane ignored his mate. “Is the human pregnant yet?”

“Why do you ask that?” Ben snarled, knowing it was a sensitive subject for Bernadette. He saw the pained expression briefly cross her face.

“I can smell her heat from here, so it’s clear she’s not,” an orc snarled.

“You need to impregnate her,” Coraliane stated. “It’s the call of her fertility. Since she has mingled with magic, since her blood is so powerful, she’s calling all sorts of beings to her. Ones that wish to use that powerful call to breed.”

“What?” Bernadette murmured. “How can I get pregnant?”

“No one explained it to you?” Aoife asked.

“No, it’s not that. I mean I can’t. I was told I’m sterile.”

Coraliane sighed. “Maybe if a human male tried to impregnate you, but it’s obvious you were made to breed to a magical being.”

Ben looked down at Bernadette. She looked a bit overwhelmed and scared. He wanted to believe it. It was a lot of information that was being thrown at her. He slowly got to his feet.

His brothers gathered around him, trying to steady him, but he shook them off. He was already feeling much better.

“I think I need to take Bernadette back to our home.” Ben scooped her up with one arm, holding her tight to his chest. Coraliane was right though, he could smell her heat. It permeated his nostrils and made his cock throb with need.

Almost like a mating frenzy was about to take him over. They had mated many times in the last couple of weeks, but he had yet to feel that burning frenzy, until now. He could feel it firing through his veins and it took all his extra strength to hold back the animal. The beast was growling and possessive over his mate.

“You sure you’re going to be okay?” Adam asked. “It was a nasty bite.”

“I’ll be fine. Aoife healed it. I’ll be okay.” Ben turned to Caleb. “Thank you for bringing Bernadette to me.”

---