"It would be confirming to him that you are giving a true offer of affection. Which means don't do it unless you're absolutelycertain. Shifters—all of us—can develop attachments that are hard to erase once they start forming. This will make him want to pursue you to the point that he’ll probably scare any other male off.”
Howlovelythat sounded… And even though her heart pleaded for her to jump in with both feet, she owed it to herself to truly think on it. This would be an honest decision on her end, one that she could never blame on blackmail or coercion.
What did shewant?
Did she want this? She stared blankly at the window ahead of her. She didn’t really even know what her options were other than she’d have to matesomeone. Some echo in the shadow of her mind told her it was a betrayal to her village and her family… Like weeds that wouldn't die, stemming from deeply rooted witch's words.
Who cared about humanity, though? Who cared about shifters? Who cared about vampires, magic, and all the gods out there? What did shewant?
She looked at Nia, her heart racing with excitement. "So, what do I do? Do I just go up to him and show him this?"
Nia smiled victoriously. "Tell himfyrir sárin.It meansfor your wounds. You can remember that. You already know a lot of the basics. Rub it in like how I did for your calves. Massage the area around the wound, as the ointment is meant to get into the tissue—” Nia paused “—Come to think of it, you’ve treated his woundstwicealready…”
Rem nervously chuckled. “I had no idea that it meant something important to your kind, though.”
“It’s alright; I think he knows. But right now? It would be obvious what you’re doing.”
Rem’s stomach vibrated with nerves, Nia’s excitement bleeding over to her. “I think I actually want to do this.”
“Alright, as long as you’re positive. What you’ll do is get on your knees when you present the salve to him. You do that foranyAlpha. And then, what do you say?" Nia asked.
"Fyrir sárin," Rem said, her throat burning with anticipation. "Wait," she said, common-sense washing over her, "my scent—is it smart to go near him right now, alone?"
Nia waved her hand with nonchalance. "He'll be in enough pain that he will have control over himself. I mean," she said, shrugging her shoulders, "I don't know if he will refrain from making anadvance, so I'd be ready for that. But hewillbe in discomfort. Then again, heisan Alpha,” she debated, putting her hand on her chin. “Well, that’s also why I say make sure you’re positive," she mumbled as she raised her brows.
Thoughts of Ronan’s tightly bound control unwinding, just to breathe Rem in, nearly had her already walking in whichever direction he was in. Tantalizing chills rolled over her skin at remembering how warm he always was.
"Alright," Rem said, jittery with nerves. “It’s fine. I want to do this,” she said, a little more breathless than she cared to admit. “And thank you, Nia. This is something I would have never thought of on my own.”
“Well, heismy Alpha, so who he mates will be my Luna,” she said with a playful grin. “I’ll give you all the help you can get.”
The two shared a genuine moment of building up Rem’s confidence before Nia pushed Rem down the hallway, wishing her good luck. Rem paced the grand hall, passing a few humans who lit candles that reflected against glass.
Once she reached the end, the scent of iron pulled her to the left… She smelled his musk. With a dreamlike grin, she stared at the darker hallway, amazed at such a novel experience.
Closing her eyes, she breathed in and breathed out.
In and out.
She neared a heavy wooden door, staring at it while the scent of coppery blood was unmistakable. Opening this door would commit herself to these creatures, tohim.
Ifhe accepted her.
Damn the guilt that she once felt. How bad was this reality, in truth? It started off terribly, sure. She'd never deny that. But there were so many opportunities for Ronan to treat her with malice or apathy, and yet, he only helped her. It was theCallonsthat were her enemy, not this Alpha.
She was stolen from her home for him, taken to be his if he so desired, and yet, he gave her space.
Rem hadnotforgotten that.
She stepped forward, knocking on the door.
"Hvað viltu?" echoed a deep voice through the door.
Her fluttering excitement quickly vanished when she realized she didn't understand what he said.
She replied, "Rem. It’s Rem."
"Enter," he returned in his native tongue, and she was glad she knewthatword.
