Page 91 of Monstrous Truths


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TALIA

Cato kisses me once more before holding my hand as we stand side by side and face his brother. His brother hands over the knife, and Cato turns to me. “Talia, I here tonight vow to be yours forever. I offer you my heart.” He bangs his chest. “I offer you my soul and my blade.” He kneels.

I try to remember everything Aria did earlier. I swallow nervously but take my strength from him. “Cato, I here tonight vow to be yours forever. I offer you my heart.” I bang my own chest, copying what he did and wincing at the pain. “I offer you my soul and my blade.” After I finish speaking, I kneel as well.

“Cato, my brother, leader of Acumen, do you here tonight take Talia as your mate?” He grins at us both.

“Forever,” Cato replies immediately.

“Usually we repeat it, but since there’s no one here, and I think if I make Cato wait any longer, he might hit me, we’ll skip that part. Cato, bleed for her and show your dedication. Make your body hers. Give her every inch of you,” he orders.

I get queasy at the idea, but I know it’s tradition. I spent enough time listening to the women tell Aria about what to expect.

I won’t dishonour him by stopping him.

He leans forward, nuzzling into my chest as he presents his back to his brother. His brother seems far too happy to carve my name into his back—overjoyed, actually—which only highlights our differences. When it’s done, Cato kisses my chest and leans back, tracing the knife as I blink.

“Brother—”

Cato ignores him as he takes the bloodied blade and winks at me. “Your name is over my back as a symbol that you will always protect it.” He presses the tip to his heart. “However this has belonged to you since the day I was born, so it should be emblazoned across it as well.” I gasp as he carves my name over his heart, grinning at me the entire time.

The crazy, crazy man.

“Cato…” I shake my head, tears in my eyes. “You crazy bastard.”

They both chuckle. “Well then, let’s carry on.” His brother claps. “Tally, my new sister, do you take Cato, leader of Acumen, as your mate?”

“Yes,” I reply without hesitation.

“Thank fuck,” his brother whispers, making us laugh, and then I make a split-second decision. The same as Aria. I won’t dishonour this tradition.

I will show them exactly how strong humans are. “And I offer my skin willingly.”

Cato’s head snaps around to me. “Tally, no—”

“You wear my name, and I want to wear yours.” I reach out and kiss him. “It will be okay.”

“Don’t you dare, brother,” Cato snaps at his brother as he steps towards me, taking my face as he searches my gaze. “You do not have to do this. I know you love me, I know I am your mate.”

“It’s not just for us, but for them. I am yours, and you are mine. I am doing this with or without your blessing.”

He grinds his teeth, but he must see the determination in my eyes. “Fine.” He keeps the blade in his grip and circles me. “Then I will do it.” I hear the horror in his voice as I pull up the back of my shirt and kneel. When I feel the blade pressing to my skin, I brace for the pain.

Before he begins, he tries again. “Tally, you do not need—”

“Fucking do it,” I order, and his brother chuckles.

The next few minutes are agony, and I can tell Cato hates every minute of it. When it’s done, he kisses me all over, telling me how brave I am and how much he loves me. “You can show me later with your tongue,” I murmur, shaking from the shock and pain, but I have no regrets.

“I did not need to know that,” his brother mutters before carrying on. “Cato and Talia, you have bled and vowed to be mates before our people. Rise as one.” Cato lifts me into his arms and kisses me soundly.

“We are officially mated, Tally,” he murmurs.

“And that is my cue to leave so you can bone.” His brother gently touches both of our arms. “Thank you for letting me be part of it. I’m going to find someone myself. Night, mates,” he calls, and I can’t help but giggle as we watch him go.

“What do you want to do now, mate?” Cato wiggles his eyebrows.

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