“This mate bite…” Jazz stroked the spot on her neck Rafe had scratched. “What does it look like?”
Mira took a deep shuddering breath, releasing it through clenched teeth. She shoved the long fall of her hair off her shoulder and tugged the collar of her shirt enough to expose a scar—a bite.
Four raised puncture wounds marred the spot where her shoulder met her neck.
Jazz cringed. “I bet that hurt.”
“A little.”
The hitch in Mira’s voice caught Jazz’s attention.
“Did your mate die?”
A wicked smile spread over Mira’s face. “Yes, Edmund…died.”
And Mira looked quite happy about his death. Why would she be? Unless hers had only been a breeding partner, maybe?
“You said Devin would be happy if you took another mate, but then you said shifters could only have one mate. Which is it?”
Mira righted her shirt, then slid off the counter. “My situation is a little different. By shifter law, I was mated because Edmund bit me. But from a biological point of view, I’m not mated. Poor Edmund got his throat ripped out before he could touch my soul and finish the breeding bond.”
Jazz covered her mouth but not before her gasp escaped. “He forced you, didn’t he?”
“Yes”—Mira raised her chin—“and I killed him for it.”
Did she think Jazz would judge her? After the things Seth and Levi’s mother had said about her mate, Jazz was glad Mira had been lucky enough to stop the man who’d tried to force her.
“Is that why you don’t want to commit to another man?” It certainly explained why Devin was protective of Mira.
Mira motioned to her shoulder. “This happened a long time ago. For the most part, I’m over it. The truth is I don’t want to be on the receiving end of a determined male’s attentions. Once one sets his sight on you, you don’t get away. But you know that, don’t you, Jazz?”
She did. Rafe had pursued her relentlessly from the moment he’d spoken to her in the bar. “Yeah, I suppose I do.”
“At least as a human, you know that if Rafe mates you it’s because he loves you and will be faithful to you. He’s tying your souls together, giving you a piece of his and taking a piece of yours.” Mira pressed her hand against her chest. “That’s profound. Do you understand? It’s not a simple commitment. He’ll be driven to please you, just as you will be for him, and if you’re killed, he’ll follow you to the grave.”
“And a shifter who only mates to breed won’t?”
“No, he’ll go on to take other lovers. He just won’t be able to have kids anymore. A breeding bond is a…” Mira pursed her lips. “A one-way bond. A male won’t ever hold a piece of his mate’s soul. She’ll just get his kids. Don’t get me wrong. He’ll protect her. Care for her. It just doesn’t guarantee his love.”
“I can’t imagine many women being happy with a breeding bond.”
“Honestly, it’s the most common type of bond, and in some instances, it’s the only kind a male will enter into.”
“Why is that?”
“Several. For one, he can still take other lovers. Of course, the female doesn’t get that option. Her mate would refuse to allow it. She has to be ready to serve his needs whenever he wants them met.”
Shifter culture was definitely not equal. Her only comfort was in knowing that if she were to commit to Rafe, he’d do the same. But what if he… “What happens if Rafe doesn’t mate me? We can still be together, right?”
“Sure. He won’t get rid of you. You’re his beloved human.” Mira toyed with the hem of her shirt. “But I wouldn’t be too worried about him not mating you. I’ve never known Rafe to show any interest in a human. Just don’t be surprised if it takes him a few years to get around to bringing the topic up. It’s a huge deal for our males.”
Years? Jazz didn’t want to wait years. She wanted him tied to her so she didn’t lose him, but if she brought it up too soon…
And why was she worrying about this? They were getting along well. Couldn’t she just leave it at that?
Jazz shrugged and hoped it looked believable. “It’s too soon to worry about the future anyway.”
“Absolutely. Enjoy the present.” Mira motioned toward the living room. “Look, I should probably go talk to Devin before Zach does. I don’t want him overreacting to what happened earlier with Josh.”
Mira walked to the door. It opened before she got to it. Josh strode in. They collided, and Josh stopped her backward tumble with an arm around her waist.
“Sorry, Mira.” He settled his hands on her hips. “I should pay better attention to where I’m going.”
Mira dipped her head. “No, don’t apologize. I should too.”
Josh bent slightly to look into her face. “Where were you rushing off to?”
The patio door slid open, and Devin stepped through before Mira could answer.
“Have you seen—” Devin jerked his head toward where Josh and Mira stood. “Get your hands off my sister!”
Josh stepped in front of Mira. Legs widened and hands held loosely to the side, he appeared as if he was itching for a fight.
“And you can drop your pissy attitude.” Josh reached behind him and rested his fingertips against Mira’s arm. “This was innocent.”
Devin strode forward. “You are not allowed to talk to her, and you definitely aren’t allowed to touch her. Do you understand me, human?”
“I don’t care about what you want. If Mira wants to talk to me, she can.” A sneer spread over Josh’s face. “And if she wants me to bend her over—”
Devin stopped Josh’s words with a punch to his jaw. Josh groaned, then returned the punch. Fists flew as the two men went at it. The fight took them from the hallway door to the attached dining room. Devin slammed
