“Yeah, but I don’t know what kind.”
Stacy’s brow creases. “Isn’t that a little weird? Don’t you want to know?”
I nod. “Of course I do. But he was so nervous to tell me. Honestly, I don’t think it matters what he can turn into. I mean, as long as he doesn’t eat me.” My mind decides to supply that sexy image of Darius as a vampire again. I shake the image away.
“Uh, okay. I don’t even want to know what you were just thinking about.”
“Shush!” I smack her playfully with a throw pillow.
“Don’t worry about the whole him trying to eat you thing. Fated mates can’t hurt each other. It isn’t physically possible.”
“Wow, do I seriously have a soulmate?” I whisper.
“Fated mates!” She squeals. “You two totally have to be fated mates!”
“Oh my gosh, not so freaking loud, Stace!” This time, I glance around to make sure we are alone. “But damn, Darius is so handsome. He’s this strange mix of temptation, danger, and safety. I don’t know how to explain it, Stacy. He looks like home.”Even with those mysterious tentacle tattoos wrapped around his biceps.
Stacy grins. “Okay, I think you need to go tomorrow. Oh shit! Kaleb, you’re finally going to go meet your parents. This is the fresh start you wanted!”
I nod eagerly. “I think it is.”
Twenty minutes later, I’m sitting on the sofa by myself. Stacy decided to go out with a friend to try to give us some privacy. I’m a little surprised Darius didn’t come back inside when she left.
Wrapping a scarf around my neck, I wander outside until I spot Darius sitting near the curb. “Darius, are you okay?”
He doesn’t hear me, seemingly lost in thought. “Darius?” I try again, placing a hand on his shoulder. He glances up at me with tear-soaked cheeks. It’s obvious that he’s been crying. Something like rage rolls through me.
Who the hell hurt my mate?I gasp.Did I just think that?
But as the word rolls around in my head, I hear another one in reply.
Mate.
Darius' eyes light up with a beautiful golden glow. His beast.
Mate.
I don’t know how I know that it’s his beast talking to me, but it is. It’s talking to me through this magical connection we have. Damn, I have so much to learn. I can’t wait.
Darius looks at me with a wild, untamed look in his eyes. It’s sexy as fuck, but I also know this might be a vulnerable moment for him. It seems like his beast might be right at the surface.
I meant what I said; Darius can tell me in his own time. I trust him. I don’t think it’s similar to admitting one’s sexuality,but telling me what his beast is must be an intimate thing to do. It should be handled with love and care. With acceptance. Something he alluded to not having a lot of in the past.
I hold my hand out to him. He blinks at it, staring. I continue to stand there, hand extended.
I wait for him to take it.
Damn, I’ll wait forever for this man. My mate with the golden eyes.
Finally, he wraps his large fingers around mine and stands. He towers over me. Something about his dominance is so hot. Memories of us dancing in the club come to mind. The alcove where we kissed. The sofa where he trapped me between his body and the cushions. Fuck. His heightreallydoes it for me.
Silently, I lace his fingers with mine and tug him into the apartment. He follows me curiously. I tug him into my room and close the door.
He smirks. “What about dinner?”
“Are you hungry?” I ask, voice husky.
He shakes his head. “Not for food.”
