Page 77 of Forever Mine

“No, not at all. But, well, you're aware of the bonding practices of shifters.” Her voice softened. “You and Janie will be experiencing it firsthand soon, if you haven't already.”

“I'm aware,” I said, neither confirming nor denying her real question.

“So, anyway, during the age of exploration, people—shifters too—were traveling about more, and spreading out across this planet. Now, wolves are pack animals and largely moved together, but that's not the case with most shifters. Many had dispersed, leaving others desperate to find a mate. In the search for their mates, there became a practice among some that would leave them biting anyone they could find. A small few took it too far and humans began to notice as bodies were found drained almost entirely of blood at times, and so began the legend of the vampire as a smokescreen to protect the shifters.”

Everything she was saying made so much sense, and yet it was unbelievable to fathom at the same time.

“Wait, I thought the vampire legend came from theDraculabook, didn't it?” Maddie asked.

“Well, yes, there's some truth to that. It didn't actually come from the book, but he certainly heightened our cause with that one, didn't he?” Annie said with a smile in her voice.

“So you're saying he was Verndari?” Maddie asked.

“That's exactly what I'm saying,” Annie confirmed.

“So, if what you're saying is true, and the Verndari have been protecting our kind for all these generations, why the shift to testing and researching now?” I asked.

“Hold on, someone's at the door,” Annie said. I heard some commotion in the background coming through her line. Hushed voices I couldn't make out. “Janie, sweetie, I'm so happy you and Oscar are enjoying your vacation. We can't wait to see you both soon. Miss you. Love you. I'll be in touch again soon.”

“Goodbye, Annie,” Maddie said.

“What just happened?” I asked.

“Someone was there. She warned us it wasn't safe to talk on the phone. I just hope we didn't get them into any trouble.”

“You think their phone was tapped or something?”

“I don't know what to think, Liam, but she said she'd be in touch, so we have to believe they'll find a way.”

That was the last we heard from Annie and Jacob. Weeks went by and we settled into our new life. Oscar had his friends he spent a great deal of time with. Maddie and the girls were busy planning the wedding, which was coming up quickly. The house was on schedule to be completed in another month. They were knocking it out in record time. And Maddie and I still hadn't bonded. With each passing day I worried we never would. I feared it wasn't physically possible.

Love, desire, and intimacy certainly weren't our problems. We were growing closer and more comfortable and confident with and in each other by the day, but I still couldn't bring myself to try having actual sex again. Every time I even thought of it, I'd remember the fear in her eyes the day we'd tried and it made me sick. I had no problems pleasing her and loved how responsive she was to me, but for me, I'd taken to handling things myself in that department. It was never the same and seemed to be lacking more and more each day.

Just last night, Maddie had caught me jacking off in the shower. To my surprise, she'd stopped me and taken care of things herself. If I couldn't have her, that was definitely the next best thing. It made me hard as a rock just thinking about it. I wasn't sure which of us had been more shocked by her boldness, but I had loved it.

She was still asleep next to me as I grew harder and more and more uncomfortable from the memories of that shower. I tried to ease out of bed without waking her, but when she was using my chest as her personal pillow, it made it a little difficult. I felt guilty touching myself with her right there, but I was getting desperate and needed relief.

I started stroking myself and closed my eyes, willing back the groan wanting to escape. I was startled and my eyes flew open as I felt her soft hand wrap around mine and join me. She was watching me closely and I'd never felt so exposed. I wasn't exactly used to being vulnerable, not even in front of my mate.

She kissed me and increased the pressure as I groaned.

“I want to try something. I don't know if it will work, but it's worth a try.”

I couldn't talk, I was raw with so much need, and simply nodded. She smiled, looking a little relieved. As if I'd ever tell her no.

She sat up and moved to straddle me. I was once again surprised by her boldness but I just watched as she rubbed herself against me. I had to grip the sheets in fists to keep from reaching for her. I wanted her so bad. She seemed to be testing herself, or maybe me; I wasn't sure, but I could feel how hot and ready she was, too.

She grabbed hold of me and started to lower herself down on me. She froze and I thought she was going to panic again, but she didn't. She smiled and began to move, searching for a rhythm that felt right. I only lasted another minute before I had to touch her. I had to move with her.

Our breathing increased. My heart was pounding in my chest. Sweat shone on her body, giving her a beautiful glow as she rode me to her release and I followed her into ecstasy.

She collapsed onto my chest. I thought she was going to cry, but she didn't. She looked up and grinned. She was so unbelievably beautiful. “We're going to be okay,” she said.

“I'd say okay is a huge understatement.”

Maddie

Chapter 24

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