Loved. I noted the word and the sadness that touched his gaze. “She’s gone?”
“Cancer. Wolves don’t get cancer. I’d have given anything to take that pain from her.”
I reached out and took his hand. “I’m sorry, Simon. I never really had the opportunity to know my mother, but I know how I’d feel if I lost my dad.”
“Your mom died when you were young?” Simon asked.
“No idea. She left after I was born. Walked out one day, saying she was going to the grocery store and never came back. It was just me and Dad until he met Leslie. Then I got an amazing stepmom and a brother.”
“I can’t wait to meet them.”
“How did you meet the James Pack?”
“Ran into Bas and Belinda at a bar. Some wolf with a death wish tried to get the jump on Bas while he was engaged with a couple others who were feeling their Wheaties. I took death wish out while Bas took care of the two he was engaged with. Belinda decided I was the reason they were there.”
“How were you the reason they were there? Had you met them before?”
“Remember when I said Belinda was different?”
I nodded.
“She knows things. Before they happen. As they happen. She goes into these trances where she has…visions. It’s terrifying to witness.”
“I’m sure it’s more terrifying for her.” Lord, I couldn’t imagine. Hannibal’s mate. And from what Simon hadn’t said, and what Madison and her friend had said about Hannibal taking Belinda away, I understood. The rest of the pack feared her because they didn’t understand her. I decided then and there that Belinda James and I were going to be best friends. After all, she was going to be my sister.
“Apparently, she told Bas they needed to be in that bar that evening. When I stepped in, she nodded as if she’d already seen it play out. They accepted me without question.”
“They became your family.”
“And yours now. Your brother is mated to the alpha’s only sister. You’re mated to me. Our inner circle is very close. You’re a part of that now. A part of us.”
“Even though I’m human?” Madison’s words made me wonder how many others would look down on me for that. Would they look down on Simon? I couldn’t let that happen.
“Being human has no bearing on anything.” Growls spilled from Simon as he spoke, and I could tell he was really worked up over that. We moved at the same time. He scooped me up when I stood then sat back down with me cradled in his lap. “Believe me, baby. The only thing that will matter to them is that you’re my mate.”
I felt needy in that moment, and I hated it. Part of me wanted to ask if he was sure they’d accept me, because the fear of being shunned was a crushing weight on my chest. My dad had done his best to make up for not having a mom in my life, but there were some things a parent couldn’t take care of. No matter how much they wanted to.
“Talk to me,” Simon urged, tipping up my chin until I met his gaze. “I can feel something’s bothering you.”
“Is that a literal or figurative observation?” I snarked, and something on Simon’s face had me sitting up straighter. “Literally? You can feel what I feel? How is that even possible?”
“It’s part of the mating. When I bit you, it allowed a connection to begin forming. One that will continue to grow.”
“Will I be able to pick up on your emotions?” That might be a cool skill to have.
“You probably already are,” Simon offered with a shrug. “As you get more comfortable with it, you’ll pick up on more.”
“Anything else I should know about mating?”
He looked guilty for a minute. “I should have gone over everything before I bit you. I’m sorry for that.”
I grinned. “I am pretty irresistible!” Simon’s face softened as he smiled. That was better. “What else should I look forward to?”
He brushed his fingers along the side of my head, and I realized it was no longer sore.
“You’ll heal faster. Your immunity will get a huge boost, making you less susceptible to illness and disease.”
“What about my senses? Will I get super spidey type senses?”
Simon laughed. I loved his laugh. “They’ll increase. Not as good as mine or another wolf’s, but better than a human has.”
“I can’t believe my dad knew this and never said anything to me.” My eyes widened. “Wait a minute. As the human mate of a shifter, would my dad be able to sense things?”
Simon gave me a curious glance. “What is it you’re afraid your dad might have picked up on?”
I opened my mouth but wasn’t sure what I wanted to say.
“You might as well know that it’s going to be impossible to keep secrets from me so you might as well come clean now.”
I frowned, not liking that at all. That’s when I made a decision.
“I want to head home today.”
“We can do that. We can be back in Rigton County in a few hours. We’re really not that far.”
“Not your home, Simon. Mine.”
“Your home is mine,” Simon countered. “And mine is yours.” He pointed his finger back and forth between us. “Mates.”
“I want to go see my dad and Leslie. I think they’ll be a fountain of wisdom on what we can expect.”
Simon nodded. “Okay. I’d like to meet you family, anyway. Maybe, we can talk them into coming back with us.”
I snorted. “No offense, but you don’t live in a metropolis of fun from what I saw. I didn’t see any tourist attractions. Did I miss something?”
“Ha-ha,” Simon
