“Can’t you guess?” He smiled and took a couple bites before he elaborated. “I was a young adult when I became responsible for three teenage females. The idea of arranging marriages or pressuring them to accept advantageous definitions seemed ridiculous to me.”
“But it wouldn’t have seemed ridiculous to your parents?”
“Probably not. Their marriage had been arranged by their parents. And my father’s parents met on their wedding day.”
She paused with a forkful halfway to her mouth. “This is the twenty-first century. Even humans have abandoned arranged marriages. Why have Therians clung to the practice for so long?”
“Bloodlines are more important to us than to humans.”
She snorted and shook her head. “I think it has more to do with power than pedigree.”
“Managing bloodlines is one way of ensuring a female’s power,” he pointed out.
“I didn’t mean physical or metaphysical power. I meant authority. It’s as simple as, males have it and females don’t.”
“Which is why Erin was so determined to resurrect the Omni Prime. A few extraordinarily powerful females will help restore balance to the entire nation.”
They ate for a few minutes in silence. Doubt kept bubbling within Heather but she couldn’t make herself voice her concerns. Jake had been nothing but kind and protective. Even Erin had given her no reason to be suspicious. Still, everything they said was so fantastical and so much of it had to be accepted by their word alone.
“Have you actually seen them manifest as more than one animal?” she finally asked.
He paused for a drink of water then wiped his mouth. “Ava hasn’t gone through the ritual yet. She’s in basically the same position you’re in. She’s waiting to see what happens to Carissa before she agrees to the ritual herself.”
“And Carissa? Have you seen her power with your own eyes?”
“I participated in her definition. I’ve seen Carissa shift more than once and into more than one animal. Everything we’ve told you is true.”
She looked deep into his eyes and let her desire smolder. “Will you participate in mine?”
He pushed his plate aside as his gaze fixed on her mouth. “You better eat fast, if you’re still hungry. My tiger won’t wait much longer.”
Chapter Seven
Jake didn’t realize he was holding his breath until his lungs began to burn. He exhaled then inhaled, easily detecting Heather’s unique scent despite the smell of food and an unfamiliar environment. He’d been patient. He’d done his best not to take advantage of her vulnerability but he could no longer ignore the heat smoldering in her gaze. She wanted him, had been attracted to him even before this conflict began. And there was no denying how much he wanted her.
“I’m hungry,” she whispered with a tentative smile. “But not for food.”
It was all the encouragement he needed. He slid his chair back and stood, gaze locked with hers. “If you’re not sure about this, tell me now. Once I touch you, I won’t be able to stop.” And he meant every word. His tiger was so close to the surface he was struggling just to maintain control. He felt raw and ravenous. And his tiger kept flooding his senses with possessive lust. She was a wolf. He’d expected his tiger to object or at least be reluctant to any sort of connection. Instead his animal instincts were urging him on, demanding that he claim her as his.
She licked her lips and stared up at him as he moved steadily closer. He dragged her chair back from the table then grasped her upper arms and pulled her to her feet. Therians were immune to STDs and there was no possibility of conception until she was defined. Just the thought of being inside her, skin on skin, sent desire surging through his body and made him groan.
“You okay?” Her smile turned playful and she lowered her lashes, partially hiding her eyes.
“I’m not sure I can be gentle right now.”
“So don’t be gentle.”
With a growl he grabbed her wrist and hustled from the kitchen, dragging her behind him. Her laugh assured him she wasn’t afraid or even intimidated by his aggression. He found a bedroom and pulled her into his arms, his mouth sealing over hers.
She clung to him, lifting one leg to his hip so she could rub against his thigh. Her lips parted and her taste filled his mouth along with her moist breath. Her eagerness thrilled him and he tangled his fingers in her long hair. He ached for her, wanted her with bone-deep longing. Why did this feel so different?
He didn’t stop to analyze the feeling, just accepted the fact and sank deeper into the sensations. She was soft and giving but still clothed. Unacceptable.