Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 30353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 152(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 152(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
“Wow,” Ant breathed, inching to the edge of the bed, making his towel shift lower so that it showed more of his creamy skin. He looked between us, carefully studying our new forms before saying, “You’re gorgeous.” We both bowed our heads in thanks, and he asked, “Can I touch you?”
It was a silly question; he could touch us anytime he wanted. Felix and I slowly padded to the bed, and Ant reached out his hands. He traced his fingers down the length of our snouts before sinking them into our manes. My eyes rolled back when he scratched behind my ear in just the right spot.
Ant gasped when a low, quiet noise emerged from my chest. “You’re purring,” he said with a giggle before scratching harder, receiving a purr from my brother as well. “I love you as lions, but I miss my men. Can you change back now?”
At his request, we allowed our bones to snap back into place. Our fur retreated and our tails disappeared, and we were in our human forms once more.
“Does it hurt to shift?” Ant asked, and I shook my head no.
“It feels like stretching.” I was in awe of how easily Ant accepted everything we told him, and our animals, and that he was only concerned for our comfort.
“I’m glad.” When Felix and I sat on the bed next to him, he asked, “You said that when we bond, we’ll be bound together forever. How do we do that?”
I hoped it wasn’t too startling when I explained, “Your Daddy and I will each give you our mating bite on your neck. It will form a special mark that will show everyone that we belong together, and it will tie our souls together.”
“We’ll wait however long you need to,” Felix added. “I know that we’ve put a lot on you today, and we want you to be comfortable and ready.”
Before two beats of my heart, Ant replied, “I am ready. I don’t want to wait another moment to be yours. You were in my dreams as soon as we met, and since you showed up on my doorstep, I’ve been drawn to both of you. I fell so quickly in love, and I need you like I need air. Please don’t make me wait. I want to bond.”
My wide, cheesy grin was matched by the one Felix wore. It was everything we ever desired, and to know that our mate was just as desperate was a blessing we didn’t deserve.
Since I was stuck in my own amazement, Felix was the first to speak. “Ant, with these marks, we claim you as our fated mate. We promise to love you, cherish you, and nurture you for the rest of time.”
He gave me a nod, and we lowered our heads towards his neck at the same time. My heart warmed; the only way I wanted to do this was together. Ant meant the world to both of us. He was both of our heart and soul; our purpose, and our love.
I kissed the soft skin of Ant’s neck, feeling the thump of his heart beneath my lips before allowing my fangs to descend. Felix told our mate, “Take a deep breath,” and when Ant’s throat expanded, I bit into his supple flesh.
His skin gave way easily, recognizing its mate and allowing me inside. His body and soul wanted to be claimed as much as mine needed to claim them. Ant moaned when the tips of my teeth scraped his collar bone, and the sound sent a shiver down my spine.
I pulled my fangs free and licked away the tiny drops of blood that rested on his skin. My lips stretched into a dreamy smile as I watched the wound knit together, into a pretty pink mating scar. On the other side of his neck was another mark that Felix gave him, which was just as beautiful. He was ours.
“Watch, sweet baby,” Felix whispered, “Something incredible is about to happen.”
Ant gasped when blue specks of light emerged from my and Felix’s chest, dancing through the air like fireflies. “They’re so pretty.”
“They’re spirit lights,” my brother explained. “They represent the essence of our souls; what makes us who we are, and what we need from each other. Blue is the color of trust, loyalty, and security. That is what you’ll always have with us. We will always keep you safe. Breathe us in, Ant.”
Our mate parted his lips and took a deep breath, drawing the lights into his lungs. When he breathed out, white orbs floated from his own chest, and I told him, “White represents purity and innocence. You are the kindest, most pure soul we’ve ever met, and we’re blessed to have you.”
Felix and I both breathed in the specks, and our three chests glowed in powder blue light, the mixture of our best characteristics, before the light ebbed away.