Page 33 of Breathe Again

“Mom, he’s my mate. I love him. I’ve always loved him. Be happy for me.”

She started crying harder. “I’ve waited so long to hear you say that. I’ll set up a meeting with the Council immediately.” She hugged me and then pulled back, her nose scrunched up from the smell. “Elizabeth,” she scolded. “There’s a proper process to follow here.”

I laughed, knowing she was smelling our combined scents. Every wolf has a unique. scent. Every Pack member has a similar smell, too, which allowed for packmates to easily identify each other. When two shifters mate, their scents combine to match each other. No doubt ours was a combination of both Collier and Westin, too. It was an exclusive scent that only Cole and I would ever carry.

“Mom, he’s my true mate. I don’t need the Council’s permission.”

“I get he’s your mate, but if he was your true mate, Lizzy, you’d have known about it long before now.”

“I’ve always known, Mom. We’re both just far more stubborn than you can imagine. Look, it’s been a really long, emotional day. Ask Dad to explain it to you.”

“What? Your father knows?”

I nodded. I saw her eyes sort of glaze over and I knew she was berating him through their bond. I smiled, wondering if I had that glossy-eyed look when I spoke to Cole through ours. I was amazed that our bond still wasn’t freaking me out. I should ask my mother or father about it. I knew it wasn’t normal for a newly bonded couple, but it seemed so precious that I couldn’t bring myself to talk about it with anyone but Cole.

Mom knows. She smelled me,I told Cole through our bond.

We’d have gone over and told them tomorrow anyway,he replied.

Why tomorrow?I wondered.

Because, if you’d politely get your mother out of the house, we have big plans for the evening, and they only involve you and me, naked, in bed.

I knew I was blushing when Cole walked in, loaded down with groceries.

“Lizzy, you looked a little flushed. Are you feeling okay?” Before I could stop her, she had her hand to my forehead, checking for fever.

“Mom, I’m fine,” I said, swatting her hand away.

Yeah, you are,Cole smirked.

“I thought you said a salad,” I scolded him, craning my neck to see what all he got. I wanted to go to him, but I could feel the effects of the painkillers setting in and knew I shouldn’t attempt it. They made me groggy and a little dizzy.

Cole swayed a little, grabbing hold of the edge of the counter just in time to steady himself.

“What the hell?” he asked.

“Cole, what’s wrong?” Mom asked him.

He shook his head. “I don’t know. Just got a little dizzy and I feel sort of heavy, and suddenly very tired.”

“Like your legs are filled with cement and you’re walking through quicksand?” I asked.

He looked at me in confusion. “Yeah, I guess.”

I laughed, not sure what else to do. It had been a strange day. “I think it’s my meds.”

“Don’t be silly, Lizzy. Just because you mated doesn’t mean you’re entirely bonded. That would be a ridiculous assumption,” Mom chastised me.

I stared at Cole. “How does this feel?” I asked seconds before I pressed down on the incision on my leg, sending a shock of pain that was nearly crippling.

“Ow, son of a bitch!” Cole cursed, as he fell to the floor, holding his leg.

“Sorry,” I said sweetly. “But I told you, it’s the drugs.”

Mom was turning white and I feared she may pass out for real. “This can’t be happening.” Her eyes glossed over again before she spoke next. “Your father’s on his way.”

How much more do you think she’d freak out if she knew we could do that, too?I asked my mate.

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