BK 3 - Chapter 41 - Mark me
Wesley led Mindy to his room. When they walked inside, he was nervous. Melanie, Cat, and the cubs had helped by talking to her about shifters, but what if she didn't accept being his mate? She pulled him over to the small couch and sat down.
"So you're a werewolf?" She asked, looking him over from head to toe. She then started laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes.
"Yes, I'm a werewolf. What's so funny?" Wesley asked, amused by her reaction.
"Now I understand why Lisa insisted on watching Twilight. She had never seen it before, but that little girl has good instincts. Now what is it that you need to tell me? For the record, I feel like I'm in a dream. I shouldn't feel this happy when I know what happened to Raul, but I do. I feel almost giddy knowing he won't be hurting anyone else." Mindy took his hand as he stared at her in shock.
"Before I say anything, I need to ask how are you taking this so well? Most humans are scared or think we're freaks, but not you." Wesley asked, thinking that maybe he was the one dreaming. He could still feel the satisfaction of killing Raul, but nothing felt as good as being next to Mindy. She shrugged and looked toward the window where she could see the night sky.
"I don't know. When you've been hurt your entire life, finding out there are incredible beings that can do the things to the monsters of your nightmares that you could only dream about is refreshing. I'm not scared. I'm excited to learn about all this." Mindy took Wesley's hand in hers. He still wasn't buying that she was okay. She'd been raped less than twenty-four hours ago and couldn't be over that yet.
"I'm glad you're not running from me because I want to be there for you when everything that's happened hits you. I've dealt with enough victims to know that what you survived yesterday will take time to recover from. I want you to know that I'll be with you every step of the way." Wesley looked into her eyes as he brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. She shivered from the touch.
"I know I have a lot to deal with, but I don't want to think about that right now. Tell me what Lisa meant when she said you could tell me about us." Mindy squeezed his hand while biting her lip in anticipation. She had a feeling that whatever he was going to say would make her happy. Wesley took a deep breath and brought his chocolate-brown eyes to meet her blue ones.
"Shifters, vampires, and some witches are all destined to be with one person. This person is their other half or what we call our mate. Werewolves identify their mates by their scent. When I got to the hospital, I could smell your scent the minute I entered the ED. Walking into your room, I knew you were my mate." Wesley paused to see how she would react. Mindy let what he said roll around in her head. When she smiled, her eyes lit up with joy.
"I'm your mate? So that means we're meant to be together? How does that work exactly with me being a human?" Mindy thought about having Wesley by her side forever, and her smile grew.
"We can mate with anyone no matter what their species. If you accept me as your mate, I will mark you." Wesley was careful with his words. He was still concerned that, at some point, this was going to be too much for her.
"Mark me how exactly?" Mindy pictured him using something to brand her or a tattoo showing she was with a werewolf. Wesley reached out and ran his finger lightly over the area right above her collarbone.
"I would bite you with my canines right here. After I do that, you would begin turning into a werewolf. It can take a couple weeks or up to a month." Wesley spoke softly. Mindy swallowed past the lump in her throat as tears filled her eyes.
"I would be like you?" She asked with her voice quivering. Wesley worried that she was going to say she didn't want to be a werewolf. What if she rejected him?
"Yes, you would be like me. I don't want you to worry about any of that right now. You shouldn't make any spur-of-the-minute decisions." Wesley stopped talking when she put her hand over his mouth.
"I want you to mark me," Mindy said, looking into his eyes. Wesley shook his head, pulling her hand from his face.
"You need time to think about this. There's a lot more to talk about." Mindy put her hands on his cheeks so he would focus on her.
"I don't need time to think. Wesley, I have never wanted anything more in my life. This is all crazy fast, but I already have feelings for you, and from what you said, we're meant to be together. If we're made for each other, why should we wait? Unless you don't want me as your mate." Mindy raised her eyebrows as she waited for him to answer. She hadn't considered that he didn't want her. When he smiled, her nervousness vanished.
"Of course I want you. I just don't want you to do anything you might regret later." Wesley leaned over and wrapped his arms around her. Both sighed in satisfaction from the connection.
"I know there's a lot more I need to know, but it's late. Can we get some rest and talk more in the morning?" Mindy asked, holding him close. Wesley pulled away, slightly disappointed that she wanted to go to bed. He would sleep in the lobby so she could have his room.
"Let me grab my things, and I'll let you go to bed." Mindy stopped him before he could stand up.
"I don't want to be alone. Will you stay with me? I just want to be in your arms while I sleep. You make me feel safe, and I need that more than anything." Mindy saw the concern on his face and knew he was worried she wouldn't want to be touched. "When you touch me, I feel better. Please stay with me."
Wesley still wasn't sure that sleeping with her was the best option. The thought of having her wrapped in his arms all night was a dream come true, but what if she woke up scared? Mindy stood up and pulled him with her to the bed.
"Stop overthinking it. I'll be fine because I'll have you here with me." Mindy suddenly turned toward him putting her hand on his chest. "Lisa said your animals have their own names. What's your wolf's name?"
"His name is Sankar." Mindy heard a light whimper coming from inside Wesley. She put her head to his chest, and it got louder.
"Hi, Sankar. I can't wait to meet you officially. I saw you downstairs and thought you were beautiful." Wesley rolled his eyes when Sankar started strutting around in his head.
"Don't encourage him. You're making him get a big head." He said, making Mindy chuckle. She slid into bed wearing the shorts and t-shirt Melanie had given her earlier. Wesley pulled off his jeans and got into bed behind her. Mindy scooted over until he was spooning her. She smiled as the exhaustion from the day took over her body. She had never felt more at peace than in Wesley's arms.
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Melanie and Saxon fed and bathed the cubs before getting them into bed. When they got to their bedroom, both were ready to drop.
"I'm glad that's over, but we still have a lot to do," Melanie said while stripping out of her clothes. She was lost in thought until Saxon came behind her and wrapped his arms around her.
"Let's not think about that right now. All I want to think about is you." Melanie leaned against him and moaned as he started kissing her neck. She pulled away and turned toward him. There was something she wanted to do. She didn't want to wait any longer.
"Saxon, I want you to mark me," Melanie said softly. His eyes widened. He wasn't expecting her to say that. He'd thought they would wait until they were done with everything.
"Are you sure you want to do it now?" He asked, feeling his heart begin to race. Saxon couldn't believe everything he'd wanted since he was a child was about to come true.
"I want to do it right now. I want to make you mine forever. Let's mark each other, finish taking down these idiots and start the rest of our lives. I love you." Melanie wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Chika purred her approval; she'd been waiting a long time for this. When Saxon pulled away, he lifted Melanie up so she could wrap her legs around his waist.
"I love you too. Let's mark each other."
