Page 40 of Captive Hybrid
‘I don’t know. If she does, she hasn’t told me.’
‘Why wouldn’t you ask?’
Aidan draws in a careful breath. ‘I love Evelyn. I know that she keeps things from me sometimes to protect me. If she thinks I need to know something, she will. It’s about trust.’
I arch a brow sceptically.
He laughs. ‘Have you ever been in a relationship?’
I scoff. ‘Wow. Condescending much?’
‘How old are you, Zenna?’
I purse my lips. ‘Twenty-three.’
‘And have you ever been in a relationship?’
I fold my arms over my chest. ‘Define relationship.’
‘Longer than six months.’
I shoot him another glare.
‘That’s a no.’
‘What is your point?’ I growl.
‘It’s not something to be self-conscious about. You have a fated mate.’ At my glare, he glides over that. ‘Anyway. When you’re with someone, you develop trust. You know that you might not share everything, especially right away, but you trust the other person. It’s how it goes.’
‘I thought Evelyn had… multiple boyfriends.’
Aidan smirks. ‘She does.’
‘And… you’re cool with that?’
‘I’ve had the pleasure of being with her. What’s there not to be cool about? Besides the others are good guys.’ Something dark flickers in his eyes. Or maybe it was just the candlelight.
Suspicion curls inside me. ‘Right.’ I can’t imagine having more than one partner. But perhaps there’s merit to it. I doubt Evelyn ever feels lonely. Or rejected. That would be nice.
‘Have you thought about… being with someone other than your mate?’ Aidan quickly raises his hands. ‘Don’t have to answer that if you don’t want. You just—you’re a beautiful woman. I’m sure you would get plenty of interest.’
I worry at my lip, weighing how much to reveal. ‘I have, but when you have a fated mate, being with someone else just… doesn’t feel right.’
‘I suppose that makes sense. Would you want to, though?’
I lift my shoulders, going over what I’d last said to Mordecai. That I didn’t, couldn’t, trust him. Even the vampire-lover had just said how important trust is. I sigh in a grumble. ‘I don’t know.’ I run a hand over my face. ‘I’ve felt completely rejected for so long. I wouldn’t even know where to start.’
Aidan sets a hand on my shoulder, arresting me. ‘Zenna, you shouldn’t have to feel like that.’
I stare at him, bug-eyed. ‘You—I don’t know what to say to that.’
He gives my shoulder a little squeeze. ‘You say, Wow, Aidan, you’re so thoughtful and kind.’
I laugh, shoving his hand off me. ‘Yeah, right.’
‘It’s true though, I am.’ He grins, and we keep walking.
‘Where are you taking me?’ I finally ask. ‘Every damn hallway looks the same.’
