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It had been a week since Jackson had told me the secrets of the town and I had spent time with the wolves in his garden. It was like a huge weight had just been lifted from my shoulders. I knew I should have been freaking out more than I was, because - let's face it - everything had been pretty unbelievable. However, I couldn't deny what I had seen with my own eyes. Yesterday, Jackson had introduced me formally to the pack members. God, it felt weird to say that. He had explained to me the bonds between everyone and how his men would often patrol the area because they were protectors, keeping it safe from intruders. I remembered back to a conversation I had had with Logan during my first few days here, where he had referred to his wife as his mate before swiftly changing his wording. I wondered if this had anything to do with being a shifter, so when I had seen Jasmine sat on the porch swing outside Jackson's house, I cornered her to try and get some more information, asking her what the word ‘mate' actually meant.
"Okay, so you know humans get married when they fall in love?"
"Yes," I swallowed as I thought back to my failed marriage, trying to remain on the conversation at hand.
"The word ‘mate' in the shifter world just means husband or wife."
"So, are you Noah's mate?"
"Yes. He's mine too. Mating is similar to marriage but also so much more. With shifters, we mate for life and divorce doesn't even exist."
"Really? What if you fall out of love for each other?"
"It's difficult to explain. When we find our mate, it's like nothing else matters in the world. Our whole life suddenly revolves around that person, and we would do anything for them. Yeah, we argue of course, but it never lasts very long. We realise how much better people we are when we are together. The guys like to act all tough, but each and every one of them is searching for their mate. It's what we all strive for."
Now I felt even more devastated for Logan.
"Logan's mate died and yet he's probably the happiest person I've seen here."
The light in Jasmine's eyes dimmed slightly as she thought about Eva.
"Eva died a long time ago. There was a point where we didn't know if we would ever see the old Logan again. He lost himself for a while; it's taken about 60 years for us to get him back to this point."
"Wait, 60 years? He doesn't look older than 40!"
"Shifters age slower than humans. We aren't immortal, although we are strong so it takes a lot to kill us. Logan looks 40 but he's actually around 180 years old."
Okay, now my brain was definitely about to explode.
"180?!"
"Yes, and he had around 50 years with his mate, so I can't imagine how hard it must have been for him when she was no longer with him. It is possible to find another mate, but it takes time."
"God, I hope Logan finds someone. He deserves it more than anything."
"I think that's why he's so fond of you. He kind of sees you like the daughter he never had."
"They never had children after fifty years together?"
"No. Shifter children are incredibly rare. It takes years for a female shifter to get pregnant and even then most times they never carry to full term. I lost two children before having Annabelle."
"I'm so sorry." I reached over to hold her hand, as sadness filled her eyes.
"It was a long time ago. Annabelle is so precious; I don't have time to be sad. It's hard for her because she doesn't have many friends. There are a few children in the area, but we have no need for a school so we home school them, and I know she finds it lonely. She was so excited when you came to stay; I think she just loved having someone new to play with. Thank you for being so good with her."
"Oh, it's not a hardship, believe me."
Jasmine smiled and we sat there in silence for a few moments, just swinging gently on the porch swing. Noah had been out all day helping to construct their new home, with their own money but also funds donated by Jackson and the rest of the town. Apparently this long life malarkey meant you had enough money to spend on things like building houses when a crazy arsonist burnt them down.
"So, this mating business. Has a shifter ever mated with a human?" I regretted the question as soon as it left my lips, as Jasmines eyes widened and a smile graced her lips. She knew exactly who I was referring to and it made me blush that he managed to have that effect on me. When did this crush get so ridiculous?
"Well, it's rare, but I've heard of it happening through the years. Apparently, it is something pretty special. I don't know the details, but the times I've heard it happening, sounded amazing. Shifters have a high level of – um – stamina! Plus natural power. Mating though – that's different. The humans ageing slows naturally after mating happens, extending their life span and allowing them to live a full and long life with the shifter. It's an element of the shifter that is shared if you like – without the part that means you turn in to a wolf!"
"So, mating and sex aren't the same?"
"No."
I made a mental note to delve further in to that when we were in a less public setting.
"And can they have children?" Children? Haven't even had sex yet but already thinking about children. Standard Laura.
"It's difficult, but not impossible. Although the woman finds it harder to get pregnant, the child is born a shifter and pretty much as healthy as can be. I've heard of it happening, it's just rare. May I ask if there's anyone in particular who has got you thinking of these questions?" She winked at me and I blushed.
"Is Jackson always so serious?" I tried to change the subject, epically failing when Jasmine laughed.
"Jackson's a little more difficult to describe. Don't write him off as being miserable, though. He has a lot of pressure keeping this pack safe, and he feels his responsibility for everyone here. I've never seen him smile as much as since you arrived though, so I think you're good for him."
It was the next day and I had been mulling over my conversation with Jasmine, when Jackson had approached me and asked to introduce me formally to the pack now I knew about their secret. He had asked me to go with him to the pub where various members of the pack were waiting to meet me properly and I was feeling pretty nervous. I'd met most of Jackson's men briefly through my visits to town and when they popped over to talk business with him, but it felt different this time. Jackson introducing me properly felt like this huge thing, and I had butterflies in my stomach as we had walked in to the pub. Just like that first night, all eyes had fallen on me, but with less hostile gazes this time. The first thing I noticed was Logan working behind the bar. He gave me a quick wave, before going back to cleaning some glasses. It was then that I noticed the pub was full of men. I'd seen these men around town, but close up they looked even larger and more intimidating. They were stood around the room watching me, but with mild curiosity in their gazes, so I didn't feel uncomfortable at all.
"Okay, so I've explained what my men do, but I thought it would be useful for you to meet some of them, in case you need anything and I'm not available. They are not only my most trusted men who help me when I need advice but they also act as the local law enforcement, handing out justice when they need to. If you ever need anything or you feel threatened in any way, then find one of these men. There will always be one nearby." I saw the resolution in Jackson's eyes and I knew he was still worried about who had set fire to the B&B, as they were no further on in their investigations. They knew that the Grove Pack were responsible, hanging around like a bad smell, but with shifters leaving no scent to other shifters, there was nothing for them to track and it was stalling their efforts.
Jackson started pointing to various men in the room and I tried so hard to remember their names, but I knew I would forget them in about five minutes. Each of the men was huge, with built bodies that clearly showed a physical job, with various tattoos. They each had the paw print tattoo on their left hands and now I knew what they were, it made a lot more sense. Each of the men had longer hair apart from one guy who stuck out because his head was completely shaved. He also had a tattoo on his face by his right eye.
"Okay, so that's Jacob, Max, Liam, Joseph, Mason, Nathan, Elijah, Leo, Lucas and Tyler." Ah, the one with the shaved head. Okay, so I was going to try and remember their names but it seemed impossible at this point. The one named Tyler stepped forward with a grin, shaking my hand.