Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75457 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75457 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“There is wisdom in that but sometimes the bond hovers just out of reach.” Raxius seemed to gain confidence as he petted his human mate, but he did not seem as comfortable with the professor. “New situations are not always easy.”
“But they’re worth it in the end.” My human mate glanced over at me, giving me a look that I thought said he wanted to pet me as well. “You just need to find ways of communicating what you’re thinking, the good parts and your worries.”
Was that just information for the confused mates or was he speaking to us as well?
“Communication comes in many forms.” It seemed like Professor Zorin was ready to search for a variety of ways. “Nonverbal signals are an interesting way.”
They were also helpful when a mate could not use words or the mate bond to give information.
“Three…three fingers will mean stop or red…but…but I’m green now.” Shiloh seemed to find confidence in their touch, but I wasn’t sure how long his ability to give information verbally would last.
He seemed to be feeling overwhelmed but he was a submissive that was not getting enough steadying support from his mates.
His Dominants?
What was the professor besides confusing and annoying?
“Thank you for providing us with that information.” Raxius continued to pet Shiloh’s head and it seemed like both of them were doing better because of the action. “It is important that we know how you are feeling.”
For many reasons.
“We do not want to upset you.” The professor looked like they had already done that and he didn’t want to experience the situation again.
“Mates…mates are always compatible.” Shiloh repeating the words made my own mate want to smile but he did his best to keep that to himself.
“Whether it is the magic that made us or the ancestors looking into each heart and finding the perfect match, the outcome is the same. Mates are always right for one another. Sometimes it just takes us a while to remember that.”
And for the bond to settle in and provide the reassurance someone needed.
“It’s been a long time since anyone in my family found their mates.” Shiloh sounded more confident but I wasn’t sure if it was the topic or his mates’ touch that made him so. “They’ve had happy marriages but not mates.”
Oh.
That was…
How could…
No.
Reminding myself to stay on track and not get distracted by images in my head, I nodded slowly to give him encouragement to keep talking. “I’m glad the portal opening seems to have changed that for your people.”
Taking a deep breath, Shiloh let it out slowly and smiled. “Me too. But…but since I don’t have any practical experience, I don’t know what to expect.”
Knowledge was important.
“Like…like how long to expect it to form and…and stuff like that.” Shiloh’s anxiety rose significantly and I could almost see his brain doing the shutting down behavior he had described previously.
So could my mate.
“Raxius? Move your hand to the back of his neck and grip it firmly. You’re just trying to hold him tight enough to remind his brain that you’re with him and you’ll keep him safe.” My mate nodded as Raxius seemed to perform the move admirably. “Yes, that looks right. Fear isn’t always easy to manage, so we just have to help give him ways of feeling what we call grounded.”
My emotions did not appear in this way, but I had read about it several times. “Fear of this nature seems to be like flying without wings and without a way to control the power. You are holding him to the ground and making him feel safe.”
My human mate glanced over at me, nodding slowly with a look that I knew was pride. “Yes. I like that explanation.”
“Thank you.” My mate was proud of me.
No.
I had to stay on track as the humans would say.
That meant being patient and waiting while Shiloh found his way back from his panic. My mate took help further and made a show of taking a deep breath while meeting Shiloh’s gaze. His caretaking abilities could not be held back and he was showing Shiloh’s mates how to care for someone from Earth.
We may have been the same species but we were not the same.
They were both generally smart individuals, though, and watched my mate carefully. The professor even shifted his touch so he was making small circles over Shiloh’s chest which seemed to please him.
When it seemed like fear had been conquered and his breathing was steady again, I went back to his question. “The bond is different for everyone. I have seen it connect deeply almost instantly. The mates in question met at a planet-wide gathering we hold every five years.”
Well, what we would see as every five years.
“They met. They said hello. The bond fell into place. That was it.” I shrugged as Shiloh giggled. “It was odd to watch. Like…like going to Walmart and coming home mated instead of cereal.”