“Peva disagrees. Don’t give up and settle for someone who isn’t your true mate, Red. I understand. I contemplated the same things you must be but then I met Dusti. It was completely unexpected.”
“I bet. Were you horrified at first?”
He hesitated. “Surprised. I worried about how she’d take to me but I wasn’t upset that she’s not what I’d anticipated. I just wanted to get her home to seal the bond. Bottom line, I don’t care what she is, just that she’s mine.”
“I get it. I have a lot to think about.”
“Yes, you do.”
“Perhaps Cavasia and I should put a limit on the number of years we share a home.”
“You mean like promise to live together for ten and then see if any women who’ve come of age are your possible mate?”
Red nodded. “Like that.”
“And what do you plan to tell this mate when you find her?”
“About what? I don’t understand.”
Drantos stared at Red. “It hurt Dusti when I admitted I’d bitten other women during sex to even test a mating. Imagine your mate’s reaction when she finds out you slept next to a woman every night for years and bonded in the ways a couple does when they live together.”
“Damn.” Red sighed.
“I just want you to consider the consequences.”
“I appreciate that.”
“We’re family. We look out for each other.”
“I’m just lonely. Last winter was the worst. I thought I was going crazy after two months of being snowed in. I envy the ones with mates and kids. It didn’t bother me so much before but I’m getting older.”#p#分页标题#e#
“I understand.”
“I know you do.”
“Just don’t do anything without putting a lot of thought into it. That’s all I ask. We live a long damn time and regrets stay with us. I’d hate for yours to be to find your mate and have to soothe her pain. Ask my father about that sometime.”
Red nodded. “I remember.”
Movement to the right caught his eye. “Break time is over. You go south. I’ll take north.”
Red inclined his head and they parted to cover more ground. Drantos hoped there weren’t any problems. He just wanted to get home to Dusti. He found the animal that had drifted into his zone. It was harmless.
Chapter Nineteen
Dusti staggered into the bathroom and debated on running a bath. She changed her mind when she had to lean against the wall to stay upright. She carefully made her way through the house into the kitchen, deciding food was in order. She hadn’t meant to drink so much but Crayla’s meeting had encouraged her to have a few too many.
The front door opened and she clenched her teeth. “Oh, you’re back. Fantastic.” She turned.
It wasn’t her new mother-in-law who entered the house. It was Yonda. The woman hesitated inside the open door and stared at her.
“You’re not family so you have no right to walk into this house.”
Yonda scowled. “I’m not in it. I’m standing in the doorway.”
“I’m learning about your tactics.” Dusti pointed at her. “You don’t like me. Get out.”
“I came to ask you to do the right thing by Drantos. I’m not his mate but you shouldn’t be either. He deserves a strong VampLycan woman.”
“I get it. You hate me and don’t think I’m good enough for him. I heard you the first time. Get out. You’re not welcome here.” Dusti waved her hand dismissively. “Bye.”
Yonda didn’t budge. “I don’t hate you. It’s true that I don’t think you’re blooded enough to be a good mate to Drantos.”
“We’re already mated so you’re too late.”
The other woman paled.
“True mates. I can read his thoughts and he can pick up mine too. It’s a done deal. Now get out. I’ve had a hellish evening already with his mother pointing out all my flaws. She said I need to get pregnant. Like that’s my only redeeming quality. Do you know how insulting that is?”
“I do.”
Dusti was Surprised Yonda agreed.
“It’s never easy coming into a new clan. Crayla has always been very protective of her sons. She threatened to rip out the throat of any VampLycan woman who got pregnant by either them. She worried someone might try to trap them into settling to take a mate if that happened. At least she’ll welcome a baby from you. It means she’s accepted your mating.”
“That’s gruesome. What is it with you people and throats?”
“It’s an effective way to kill.” Yonda took a step inside the house. “I didn’t know you’d already sealed the bond when I came here to speak to you. I take my words back. You’d hurt Drantos more if you left him. As you said, it’s a done deal. You must make the best of it.”