Chapter 63: Sarn

"Do you like it?"
Sierra looks so hopeful but I downplay how wonderful it is. I finish chewing and take a long drink of water before answering. "It's good." Her lips purse slightly and I try again, "It's really good."
Now her smile lights up her face. "I'm glad. My other mother, Amy, taught me this recipe and I've always loved it."
"Other mother?" I ask before I can stop myself. I shouldn't be encouraging conversation. I need to maintain a mental distance from what she is obviously offering. I'm not an idiot and her wanting to be friends is a ruse. She desires me as much as I desire her.
"My birth mother was killed a few weeks after she gave birth to my brother and me. Marcus, the liege of the Southwest Clan, and his mate, Amy, raised me and my brother for a few years. When my father mated again, we moved to Florida to be with his new clan. I grew up traveling between the clans and spent many hours in the kitchen with Amy."
She smiles wistfully at the memories she conjured and it's impossible for me to remain silent and uninterested. I have enough painful memories of the deaths of those I've loved and decide against asking about her birth mother. "I thought vampires didn't eat or drink anything but blood," I question instead.
Her lashes do the sweeping cheek thing, which makes my cock stir. "Mostly they don't," she answered, "but they will enjoy some wine now and then. Marcus changed Amy to vampire and she discovered that she loves to cook. She began preparing meals for the clan when her chef found his mate and he cut back on how much he works. Amy's a great lady and really the only mother I've ever known. Talya, the she-cat my father mated, is more of a sister to me." Sierra lays her fork on her plate and laces her fingers with her elbows resting on the table. "Talya doesn't enjoy cooking, so I did a lot of it when I grew older. I love to cook, but I don't want to step on any she-bear toes while I'm here." She gives me an exaggerated wink. "You're the perfect guinea pig."
Her smile is teasing, but I don't take the bait. I like conversing with her. "What about your brother? Does he cook?"
She bursts out laughing at the question and I love the sound as it echoes off the cabin walls. "No, he can't cook to save his life. He'll need to find a mate who will provide food for the table or he'll starve."
I think about the argument she had with her brother. She yelled the entire time and I couldn't hear his side of the conversation. It leaves me curious. "You challenged him for not having a mate..."
Her smile fades quickly. "I guess I did. I was angry and shouldn't have antagonized him with a subject that is very painful for him."
"The absence of a mate is not painful for you too?"
She shakes her head. "I haven't given up on finding a mate. That special shifter is out there somewhere and I will wait for him to sweep me off my feet." Her eyes grow dreamy for a few seconds and I know she's thinking about this suitor that will come one day. The thought shouldn't bother me, but it does. Her teeth flash with another grin and she speaks again. "Impatiently, but I will wait." Her expression turns serious. "My brother has an entirely different problem and he's hiding his true nature. He won't even speak to me about it." She takes a long breath and meets my eyes with an, I dare you to say anything negative look. "He's gay," she says bluntly.
I choke on the piece of meat I'm in the process of swallowing. Before I can clear my throat, Sierra's arm swipes across the table and our plates crash to the floor. I stare at the mess of broken dishes and food for a long moment before bringing my stunned gaze back to Sierra.
Her eyes are a dark vortex of anger. "You son of a bitch. He's no less of a man than you or any other shifter," she yells as she jumps up from her chair. "I hate you," she adds as she heads for the door.
I'm so shocked at her sudden loss of composure that she's almost outside when I manage to speak. "Will you give me a chance to respond?" I ask calmly.
She turns and her fists go to her waist with her legs spread to evenly distribute her weight. My little wolf knows how to fight, though this doesn't surprise me. If she often has fits of temper like I'm witnessing right now, she needs the skills. "Go ahead, I dare you," she replies as a low growl escapes her throat. Her face is flushed and her rapid breathing causes her chest to rise and fall. The tight leather of her top is like a second skin. My cock twitches in appreciation. If she sees the reaction I'm having to her temper tantrum, the situation could become violent.
To turn my thoughts away from my aching cock, I look to the empty space in front of me and think of the ruined food that I'm almost tempted to pick up off the floor. It's that good. I need to fix the situation first. I peer back up at her as I gather the words that will make her understand how I feel. "There were only four dragons left after the curse. Now Bastian and Laryn have found mates. For Tahr and I, every bride we love eventually dies. While we wait for another claiming, we are alone." I clear my throat before continuing. "Do you actually think I care if Tahr finds a mate who just happens to be the same sex? I don't. It means his mate transcends to dragon and flies forever by his side. I will rejoice for him." I can't help my slight smile. "Though, from the way he is with his past brides, I don't think his true mate will be other than female." I snap out of humor quickly. Both his and my life will be filled with empty years and it hurts so deeply I want to scream-year upon year of loneliness that we've been through so many times before. I speak again before I'm sucked into the misery that is my fate. "I choked on the food only because your blunt words surprised me. The Goddess chooses our mate. If your brother's mate is another man, so be it."
The blaze in Sierra's eyes fades and I can do nothing but look away. I don't need her pity.