Therian Promise(11)
He wasn’t sure if she had accepted his offer or if she was just passing time, but hopefully her attitude would change once she saw him shift. Which meant he needed to feed ASAP. “Feline shifters are the most common kind, but the Therian nation is made up of all sorts of clans, wolves, bears, even raptors.”
She chuckled and motioned for him to take the lead. “People shift into dinosaurs? Must be popular at birthday parties.”
He ignored her sarcasm and continued their descent. “Not dinosaurs, birds of prey. And to my knowledge, Ian isn’t popular with anyone. Except maybe my mother.”
“You said we’re both part of the Therian nation. Are you going to try and convince me that I’m one of these shapeshifters too? If I could turn into a leopard or a lioness, I’m pretty sure I’d know about it.”
His response was interrupted as a section of the mountain required their undivided attention. They faced the rock wall and chose each foothold and grip with utmost care. Kyle reached the bottom first and steadied her as she completed the final few steps. She was agile and strong, just like a Therian female should be. A faint smile curved his lips as he reluctantly released her waist and stepped back.
The last section of the descent appeared gradual and hilly, far more hike than climb. Trees shaded them again, the coolness welcome after hours in the blazing sun. Hopefully he could keep his mind on her orientation rather than imagining all the erotic things he’d rather be teaching her. But her jeans rode low enough on her hips to reveal a teasing inch of bare midriff. Not to mention the way they hugged her nicely rounded ass.
Forcing his attention away from her body, he resumed his explanation. “Female Therians are born latent. The ability to shift is within them, but the specific animal into which they’ll shift has yet to be defined.”
Her steps slowed and her eyes widened. “In my last vision, Carissa…” She shuddered, unable to complete the thought.
“When a female is ready for her nature to be defined, she drinks the blood of the male she has chosen. His DNA becomes the pattern her body uses to define her animal nature. Is that what you saw? Was Carissa drinking blood?”
“I’d hoped it was just a dream, but… Carissa is a shapeshifter?” She shook her head and hurried on ahead as if she could outrun the truth. He kept pace with her anxious strides but allowed her time to absorb the information. Suddenly, she stopped short and faced him, her expression a tense mixture of confusion and dread. “If Quinn is her lover, why did she choose the blond man for her transformation?”
“I wasn’t there. You’ll have to ask Carissa to explain her decision. Still, you need to remember one important fact. Defining a female is not a sexual act. The ritual often stirs emotions that lead to sex, but sex is not necessary for the ritual’s success. Many females are defined by their lovers, but many are also defined by prominent members of their parents’ clan. It depends if the clan alpha wants to create a bond with another clan or increase his clan’s numbers.” He knew more about Carissa’s situation than he was letting on, but Ava would accept the complexities more easily if her sister explained.
Speculation narrowed Ava’s gaze and she moved closer, managing to appear fierce despite the difference in their sizes. “What does the clan alpha have to do with it? You said the woman decides who defines her.”
Damn, she was perceptive. This was the part he’d been dreading the most, the part she would find the most offensive. “According to the Charter, the set of rules governing the Therian nation, a female has until her twenty-first birthday to name her guide, that’s the male she wishes to participate in her definition.”
“And if she hasn’t decided by her twenty-first birthday?”
“Her father or her clan alpha can petition the council for permission to define her by force. I don’t agree with the practice and I’m leading the push to have the policy changed.”
“Glad to hear it.” She started walking again, her steps stiff and purposeful. She might not know where she was going, but she intended to get there fast.
“Ava.” A pause in her marching stride was her only response. “There’s another policy you need to understand.”
“I’m listening,” she assured him even though she didn’t turn around.
They wove their way between trees and around rock formations, following the gentle undulation of the ground. He ignored the persistent tightening in his belly and the pain intensifying with each step. He could not give in to his hunger until she understood the conflict surrounding them. “Once a female has been defined, she has until her twenty-fifth birthday to choose a mate.”