Page 133 of Empowering the Wolf's Heart

I shoved her out of my brain.

He stopped chuckling, his dark eyes warm with both mirth and something I couldn’t—or wouldn’t—name as he checked his nose for blood. “Remind me not to do that again,” he said to my answering wince. But he held up his hand, stopping me before I could apologize again. “I am the one who should apologize, Alia. Lycus gets away from me at times.”

I blinked. “Lycus?”

He rubbed his thumb on his dagger. “My wolf.”

“Your wolf is a different entity?”

He stared at me for a moment. “You did not know?”

I shook my head.

“A werewolf’s animal side is a part of us. Our soul is split at birth. Our human side is what you see, but within lay the animal, the wolf you met when you set us free.”

All of that made zero sense. It was a bit like going into a cave without a light and wondering if you were about to be eaten by a hibernating bear or if you were safe. “Can he speak to me?” I asked.

A tiny smile crossed his lips, his eyes burning around the edges. “Sweetheart, he wants to do much more than that. But he knows you are not ready for the extent of his devotion, so he is holding back.”

He tweaked my nose and I unscrunched it. “Let him out. I wanna meet him.”

He shook his head, even though his eyes glowed bright for a moment. “Not yet.”

“What, afraid I’m gonna be scared off?”

His chuckle was deep and sent tingles down to my toes. “No, I am afraid you would scarehimoff.”

My honk of laughter scared a very disgruntled owl from its slumber.

“What does mating mean?” I asked, trying not to show a hint of the apprehension boiling in my gut.

But his sharp eyes softening said he noticed the slight increase of my heartbeat. “Mating is a bond between werewolves. A way to connect the souls. For fated mates, it is an increase of what has already been; we are tied on a soul-deep level. Mating is the next step, should you wish it. But you canalso sever the bond anytime you wish with rejection, even after mating.”

I scuffed my toe along the pathway, not able to look him in the eye. “What—” I swallowed, my throat going dry. “What does that mean?”

He put his finger beneath my chin and slowly lifted my eyes to his. There was a soft, gentle smile caressing his lips. “It is a tying of the souls, not of the physical bodies. That comes later, after both have settled into their mate’s minds and wish to complete the bond.”

“So… it's almost like an engagement?”

“A bit. It is a promise and a connection. I will know you on a soul-deep level, as you will know me.”

I gulped down my nerves. The prospect was terrifying—and electrifying. Why did I always feel I was on the edge of a cliff when I was around him?

Because vulnerability is terrifying to your sensibilities.

Shut up, Ran.

She snickered, but went silent.

I found Shen’s eyes waiting on me, studying me.

“What does it entail?” I asked at last, and his eyes sparkled with happiness.

“You will allow me to mark you, and allow my wolf into your soul.”

“That’s it?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.

“It is much more than it sounds, but yes, that is all it takes.”

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