Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 62: Grace: Transference (II)

"Oh—he didn’t... I’m not..." My hand jumps to the side of my neck awkwardly. "We aren’t mated or anything."

She rubs her forehead. "That’s not what I was asking. Do you know what happens to two shifters when they complete a mating bond? The marking scars are just the physical expression. The real bonding happens on an energetic level. When a shifter claims their mate, there’s an exchange of energy. Usually, it’s balanced. A give and take."

A cold feeling settles in my stomach. "Okay..."

"It isn’t much, and there are levels of sensitivity to a bond. Some pairs can feel each others’ emotions, for example. There’s almost always a mental link between pairs. And they can share in each others’ pain and healing to a small extent."

I nod.

"And then there’s you."

Now she’s just getting ominous. "I’m listening."

Lyre’s expression softens with something that might be pity. "Caine... took. A lot. Though I don’t think he meant to. To be fair, you’re a bit of a special case, yourself."

I squint at her. "Um. Lyre? Not to sound repetitive, but Caine wasn’t trying to mark me."

She runs her hands through her hair with a groan. "Grace, you need to work on your relationship aversion. I know he wasn’t trying to mark you, but are you really trying to say you still haven’t figured out you two are fated mates?"

Time stops. My mouth hangs open. The twinkling lights grow dim in my vision as I process her words.

Lyre arches one eyebrow, waiting for my response. The silence between us stretches uncomfortably long.

My heart jumps at the thought, but then I crush the hope ruthlessly in a mental fist. No. Stop daydreaming.

"That’s..." My voice comes out flat, emotionless. "That’s impossible. Humans can’t be fated mates with shifters."

Lyre snorts. "Says who?"

"Says... everyone. It’s common knowledge. Fated mates are a shifter thing. It’s about compatibility between wolves. Humans don’t have that... that biological imperative."

"You sure about that?"

I say it, doubt creeps in. Lyre

we

my thoughts

what she’s saying is true... if Caine and I

races back through every interaction, every moment we’ve shared. The way my skin prickled with awareness whenever he entered a room. The inexplicable pull

my body seemed to recognize his before my mind

touch, his scent, his voice. The way my heart raced and my stomach fluttered and my breath caught in my throat.

all to fear, to adrenaline, to simple physical

if it was more?

himself. The brutal, dangerous Lycan

him in. Dropped my

reason, despite all self-preservation instinct, I’d

crashes over me. "Oh. It makes so

snort. "Figured it

press my palm against my forehead, feeling

a flick of her

mind stumbles over this distinction. Not

humans and shifters can be fated mates. Even when the human doesn’t

it in one hand as she squints at the ceiling. "The idea of mate bonds being only through wolf souls is also incorrect. Their soul is a dyad. A twinsoul, if you will. The wolf’s half of it is just more sensitive

I’m learning things we’ve never been taught in school. In fact, I’m pretty sure the stuff

her to continue, but she simply studies me with those unsettling cat-slit

"What?" I finally ask.

told you before—you’re a special

vaguely recall something along those lines. I’d been a bit distracted and hadn’t focused on her words

gaze drifts to the window

frown. "Come on, Lyre. What do you mean, I’m

against her thigh in a rhythmless pattern. "You know, it’s funny. Humans are so obsessed with

hell. She’s the one