Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 130955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 655(@200wpm)___ 524(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 655(@200wpm)___ 524(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
“You’re my mate whatever anyone says, and I’ll protect you,” he whispered, focusing on the cool touch of grass on his feet.
It would be fine. And if it was really a trap, he’d just deal with it to the best of his abilities. He would. He would.
Relief sank into his flesh when they entered the clearing and only spotted three silhouettes sitting on logs around the fire. A massive cauldron hung above the flames, blocking some of their light, but before he could have worried what the witch was cooking, he picked up a familiar scent and dropped his hand from Radek’s shoulder.
Recognition bloomed in his heart when he realized how long it’s been since he’d smelled it on anything but food jars passed to him in secret, and his chest filled with the fragrant air as he struggled to keep his voice from trembling.
“Mother?”
“Yev!” She was already rushing his way, dressed in her usual outfit of loose pants and a sweater. She hadn’t changed a bit. Her nose was still small and upturned, her eyes big and dark, her black hair pinned at the back of the head. The lines at the sides of her lips might have deepened, but she carried the aroma of home when she hugged Yev, overwhelming him with a sense of loss and happiness all at once.
He closed his eyes, and lifted her off the ground, still doubting whether she was really here. “What… how?” he uttered when he finally put her down, breathless as if he’d ran here all the way from Sanok.
“She missed you too much,” Father said, rising from one of the logs resting by the fire. He was topless, his torso and shoulders still hard like those of a young man, despite some silver interwoven through his chest hair.
Yev swallowed, stiffening in alarm. He breathed in the air, trying to discern the scents of his brethren, but it seemed it was just his parents and the witch. Was this… goodbye or a gesture of goodwill?
His mind was a mess of pain and joy that he couldn’t contain until his gaze drifted to Radek, whose skin gained a soft glow in light of the fire. “This is my lover, Radek. And… Radek, this is my mother,” he said, uncertain what to think of Father’s presence yet.
Radek approached cautiously, like a fox cub seeing a human for the first time. “It’s very nice to meet you.”
The air filled with awkwardness when Mom reached for his right hand and stalled when she saw he did not have one. The unpleasant moment was over when she settled on a hug instead. “I’ve heard about you.”
Radek smiled. “And I’ve tried your amazing stew, Mrs. Vovk.”
Yev’s eyes itched so fast he had to blink and clear his throat. He’d never imagined his mother would not only meet but also touch his partner. For a long time, he believed he’d never have anyone he’d want her to meet in the first place, but Radek had entered his life and had transformed it forever, even if their love came at the cost of Yev losing his pack. So seeing Radek with Mom was… it was a miracle, plain and simple.
A miracle in a clearing by the witch’s hut. He glanced Father’s way, still unsettled by his presence, but he remained distant so Yev chose to focus on his mother.
“He… he’s a fox changeling. And he can turn,” Yev said, trying to breathe normally, but the scent of oaks, pines, and the smoke of the fire choked him.
She nodded, scrutinizing Radek from head to toe once she took a step back. “I’m aware. He’s also a man…”
Yev had no idea what to say to that and lowered his head, chewing on the creeping sense of misery. “Yes.”
Mom took a deep breath as she met Yev’s eyes. “I’m not losing another son.”
Father took a few tentative steps closer, as if he wanted to let Yev and Radek know he had no ill intentions, without raising his hands in surrender.
Yev’s throat tightened, and he tried to even out his breathing, to stay calm in the face of more openness than he’d been given in years. Was this really happening? Were his parents here to offer him what he demanded? Or would they ask him to give up on the path he’d struggled to carve for himself all those years? He pulled Radek into a hug and rested his chin at the top of his head. It pained him to disappoint his mother, but he wouldn’t give up on the man he chose now that he’d committed to him.
“He’s mine no matter what.”
She gave a deep sigh which hurt a little less when Radek’s arms wrapped around Yev’s waist. “You must really love him then.”
She cocked her head, light and shadow twitching slightly on her features as the flames roared under the cauldron. “But even if the widow’s ritual works, are you sure this man trusts you enough to accept the bond?” Yev’s blood boiled as loudly as whatever was being prepared over the fire. “I’ve attempted the claiming bite, and Radek didn’t flinch.”