Sacred Bond: A Human Mate for Beta

Chapter Seventeen

EVERLY

What the f**k? What the f**k? What the actual f**k?! My mind was racing. I was scared because I am definitely inside some kind of wolf-worshippers cult. Who was this super nice Brittany chick? Why was she acting like we were lifelong friends?

I thought about Bianca and how right she was. She is probably worried about me and rightfully so! I landed myself in some delusional s**t! I’m so stupid! Why do I let bad judgement rule my life?

So what Joe was gorgeous? There’s tons of gorgeous guys and there would be tons more.

But how many gorgeous guys would stick around rubbing your hand? And how many gorgeous guys made me feel calm by just touching me? Ok, I can hear him out about wolf people. I do believe in ghosts. They aren’t much different, right?

“Joe, I already think you are crazy so you might as well tell me everything.” I say taking a deep breath and turning my body to face him on the couch.

He hesitated, but then ever so slowly reached his hand towards my face. He paused to see if I would react before gently tucking the stray hair behind my ear. Everywhere his fingers grazed my skin on my forehead was warm to the touch. I leaned my face into his hand. He cupped it and looked me right in the eyes, “I can never ask for your forgiveness enough. What happened earlier has never happened to me. Thank you. For giving me the chance to explain,” he said.

I nodded. He continued.

“It might be best if I explain what’s happening between us first.” He started. I perked up because besides my delusional attraction, I would like some answers. Not to skip out on the accountability, but everything has been happening against my better judgement. I’d like to think it was voodoo to make myself feel better.

Joe licked his lips to start talking and I felt a burning in my stomach thinking about his lips on mine. Focus woman! I screamed internally.

Did I see a small smile sweep across his face? Oh s**t—can he read my mind or something?

“Can you read my mind? Is that how you were able to seduce me so aptly?” I blurted out before he could start.

He belly laughed at my question. “If only men could read women’s minds!” He laughed, “it would save us so much trouble!”

I crossed my arms, not amused. We aren’t THAT complicated. We just have the capacity for one thousand thoughts and forty emotions in our heads at once.

“Ok, I was teasing. To answer your question—no. Not really.”

“Not really? Meaning—-?” I quipped.

“Meaning, I CAN feel your emotions. And the more we bond—if we, uh, bond, you will feel mine.” He stammered out.

I sat back for a second, thinking on my emotions I was feeling. Curious was the top one. A wave of anxiety hit me as I extended my thoughts out to Joe. I don’t feel anxious right now. Could that be him?

“Are you anxious?” I asked him. His eyes lit up and he grabbed my hand excitedly. Electric warm was encompassing my hand from his grip. “I am. You will understand why if I could just tell you everything.” He sighed, “It’s complex to summarize.”

I felt compassion towards him.

“What do you mean ‘if we bond’? I have a choice?” It sure didn’t feel like it.

“I’ll get to that part.” He patiently said.

“Last night, I saw you. I smelled you.”

“Smelled me?! How? I wasn’t even around you.” I retorted.

“But you were. I was in wolf form.” He said quietly, pausing to let it sink in.

Wolf form. The beautiful wolf I saw!

“Holy s**t! Did you use telekinesis on me too?! It was your voice! It’s all making sense. I’m not going crazy?!” I asked, long-winded at the tiny puzzle pieces fitting together.

He waited.

“Or I am totally insane and this is all a bad dream. No, onset schizophrenia. The deep dark thoughts of my mind, taking over!” I was breathing quickly now. I felt panic creeping up trying to process what the hell is being said to me.

“Everly, you are not crazy.” Joe’s voice soothes me a little.

“Your friends saw me too, remember?” He prompted, still with a steady voice.

I controlled my breathing. I recalled the wolf. “You said ‘Mate’. What does that mean?”

Now he shifted a little uncomfortably. He scratched the back his head, a nervous tick I realized.

“Well, werewolves are creatures who are blessed with lifelong mates. It’s kind of a biological and chemical bond to preserve the our pack and our species. You don’t know who it is or when the Moon Goddess will bless you—“

“Moon goddess?!” I interrupted. I continued to interrupt, “‘Lifelong mates’ but why did you say ‘Mate’ in my mind?!” I waited.

Joe took a deep breath and lifted his finger to put it under my chin, forcing me to look him in his beautiful bluish-green eyes. “It’s what we say to each other when we find our lifelong mate.”