Compelled: Chapter 16

The first ten minutes in the clearing were quiet. Shadow and Lucien were well versed in sitting in silence without fidgeting, while I, on the other hand, was more than a little uncomfortable with a beast-god and a master vampire on either side of me.

This was going to be a long afternoon.

“What’s the plan for Valdor,” Shadow said, and I was grateful for the distraction, even if the subject wasn’t my favorite.

“The plan is to get Simone through the selection alive and without ending up as Carter’s mate.” Lucien’s response was sharp—he wasn’t happy about this situation still.

That made two of us, buddy.

“Lucien nominated himself as a master looking for a mate,” I added.

This took Shadow aback. The beast didn’t let his real emotions slip much, but I saw confusion and surprise briefly crease his brow. “You were determined never to mate or have a family,” he said to Lucien. “You’ve never even drunk from someone or allowed any to drink from you in worry that would trigger something. Have you changed your mind?”

Now I was the one surprised. Lucien didn’t want a mate or a family… ever? I’d thought it was just about me being a shifter.

“I haven’t changed my mind,” he told Shadow. “I’ve lived a long life, and in that time I’ve witnessed much darkness. I’m just not sure I can risk children in this world.”

His eyes drifted toward the cabin. “Though I will admit to a slight pang in seeing young born into adoring families.”

“The fear is there too,” Shadow admitted gruffly. Reluctantly too, if his harsh exhalation was any indication. “I’ve always been untouchable. No one could hurt me because I had no weak spots. Then Mera came along, a damn sun that scorched through my shield and filled me with softer emotions I didn’t think existed within my being.”

“And your daughter,” Lucien said. “Has she changed you too?”

“Beyond anything I could have ever imagined,” Shadow admitted.

“I’m not sure I can handle it,” Lucien said softly as his eyes met mine. “It has taken me dozens of shifter lives to get my emotions under control. Vampires feel strongly, ten times amplified. The highs are incredible, but the lows… they’re not always survivable.”

I sensed there was some backstory there, and I hoped before this was all over, I’d at least know that part of him. The reason he remained eternally alone.

“Back to Simone,” Shadow said, clearing his throat. “How can you ensure that she will end up with you and not Carter? I assume this selection will take into consideration more than just your choice on a mate. There’ll be trials?”

Lucien started to pace. “The selection is a compatibility contest, and to ensure that, there are some trials. Selected females are eliminated throughout, and there’s the possibility Simone will be knocked out early, and then I’ll be able to bow out. But I have a feeling Carter will ensure she makes it through to the final round, so the stronger plan is to convince him and all the masters that Simone and I are the best match. They already know how protective I am of her, so I think this can work.”

“Do vampires have true mates like shifters?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Not really. We have what we call a blood call bond, where we find someone with compatible blood that can sustain us. It’s so rare. And you won’t know until you exchange blood and feel strengthened, not to mention a pull toward each other.”

“It speaks of a compatible soul,” Shadow added.

Lucien nodded. “Yep, it’s our deepest level of connection, but very few even look for it these days.”

“Sounds like a true mate bond to me,” I murmured. “The pull toward each other and the need…”

Lucien shrugged. “I mean, I guess it could be looked at that way,” he said. “I’ve seen enraged, blood-call bonded partners destroy cities when their mate was threatened. I’ve also heard the loss of such a mate is not survivable by the other.”

Shadow’s laugh was dark. “I can relate.”

“Me too.”

They both looked at me again, and I realized that I’d let my inside thoughts slip out. In a rush to explain, I added, “I relate in the way that while I don’t have a true mate, I understand why they destroy cities. I think it’s perfectly reasonable to lose your shit for those you love. I don’t even have to be mated to feel that primal drive. In a way, you’re fighting for your own life since you wouldn’t survive without your mate, and self-preservation is one of our strongest instincts.”

Two sets of eyes burned into me, one filled with flames and the other green, streaked in darkness. What I’d said had resonated with both of them, no doubt for different reasons, but it did make me squirm to be under this level of scrutiny.

The urge to fan my face was strong.

Angel better have her baby sooner rather than later because I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hang with all of this intense alpha-ness and keep my sanity.

“I understand why you are Mera’s best friend,” Shadow finally said, and he couldn’t have given me a greater compliment. “You will make a worthy mate and are the best example of what I expect shifters to be. Not the shame that many have brought on themselves.”

He patted me on the head, and fuck if I wasn’t his pet wolf now. Worthy.

Thanks, oh master of mine.

Even Lucien grinned at that, and once again, I was stuck ignoring fire in my belly and need in my soul. His definition of a blood-call bond felt like what was happening inside me right now, his blood taking up residence while need for him drove me almost crazy.

I knew better than to say anything about it, but maybe there was a deeper reason for the pull I felt to the vampire. Maybe our souls were more compatible than he thought.

Or maybe I was in so deep that, this time, I would lose my heart for good.