Page 124 of Shifted Desire

Xae, not known at all for their restraint or subtlety, gives us an uncharacteristic, curt nod as we take our places.

If Nathan were in his shifted form, I swear his hackles would be up with how much he’s bristling at the tension in the room. I do my best to send him support through our bond, but it’s hard when I’m on edge too.

I lean over to Max. “Seriously, what the fuck is going on? Is this an intervention?” I whisper.

He snorts and shakes his head. “Mom and Dad made us swear not to⁠—”

“Sorry, is no one going to ask about the giant bite marks on Sam’s shoulder?” Maggie asks loudly, cutting my brother off.

“Margaret!” Mom glares at her in warning.

“Oh, come on! I know you told us to be nice and not pester them with any questions until after the ritual, but this is ridiculous,” Maggie retorts.

Dad grimaces at her calling out their request. “We were trying to make it more comfortable for them.”

“Which is sweet and all, but that went out the window when she walked in here rocking a mating bite,” Xae says drolly, flashing Nathan a sharp grin.

I exchange a look with my mate, and find that he’s fighting back a laugh at the absurdity of everything.

“Mom, Dad, it’s very thoughtful of you to try to keep things calm, but this is awkward as fuck.” I stand and yank Nathan up beside me, brushing my hair off my shoulder so everyone can look their fill at the bite marks. “Yes, we bonded.”

Claire gasps softly, and Dad grows paler than usual.

I hold up a hand before anyone can speak. “No, it wasn’t an impulsive decision. I know I’m notorious for that, but trust me when I say that a lot of thought and deep discussion happened before we decided to do it. We bonded because we love each other.”

I wrap my arm around Nathan’s waist and look up at him to find him watching me with clear adoration. My heart skips a beat before I continue. “I’m Nathan’s mate and he’s mine. That’s never going to change, and I hope the awkwardness will fade with time because we love all of you and want you in our lives.”

“Who said anything about not being in your lives?” Maggie huffs, and Claire elbows her.

Dad’s eyes are misty as he tries to speak. “I…Please tell me you’ll still have a ceremony at some point.”

I blink at him, taken aback. “Huh?”

“I know it’s not necessary, but I…I want to be able to celebrate two of the people I love the most.” He swipes a tear away and gives Nathan a lopsided smile. “I’ve been your friend for over forty godsdamn years.” He shifts his focus to me. “I’m your father. Having a bonding ceremony or wedding is the least you can do for a sentimental old fool like me.”

Nathan sniffs and nods, his smile watery and more than a bit surprised. “Of course we’ll have a ceremony.”

“Eventually,” I add. “When we’re ready.”

Mom beams, and her happiness radiates throughout the entire room. “As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”

“Happy and well-fed,” Claire says, waggling her eyebrows at me.

Maggie cackles beside her, and they devolve into giggles as Dad gives them an exasperated look.

“I hope you’re prepared to tell the story of you and Nathan falling in love,” Max says under his breath. When I look at him in horror, he shrugs. “It’s tradition. Mom and Dad tell their story every year, except for the years when we’ve found a new partner. Maggie had to do it. I had to do it. Claire had to do it three times. You’re not exempt.”

Fuck my life. He’s right.

I flush and clear my throat. “If everyone’s done gawking, can we get on with the ritual?”

Dad nods. “Right.” He lights the candles on the altar in front of him, the chalk circle on the floor glittering as he begins the ceremony. “We’re here tonight, joined by family, friendship, and love.”

We all join hands without his prompting, the ritual familiar and comforting. Max’s soothing support trickles up my arm on one side, and Nathan’s adamant affection on the other.

For all that he claims not to be good at this kind of ritualistic casting, I can feel the energy of my father’s magic buzzing in the air immediately, resonating with the magic he gave me and my siblings.

“Tonight the veil between this world and the world of spirits is thin. We gather together to reach out to our ancestors for guidance and to recognize and embrace the smaller deaths and transitions in our mortal lives.”