Griffin

I loved my parents. Really, I did. And I had a special bond with Dad in particular... but I wasn't thrilled to see him here. Not now. Not when I was finally getting to see my mate.

My mate, who was amazing. He was hot, sure, but it was so much more than that. Touching him was intoxicating, and when he touched me, it was like a dream. I couldn't believe my luck. But that wasn't even the best part. Effortlessly, it seemed, Wulfric quieted my mind. There was a voice of doubt that usually nagged at me and wore me down, and Wulfric could silence it with just a few words and a tender look. I shared with him all the worst parts of myself and he washed them away in seconds. If being with him was already so soothing, what would it be like later when we really knew each other?

My mate didn't care that I'd been sleeping around. He didn't mind our different species, and he had taken my neediness into stride. He knew just how to tease me to disarm all my defenses. What more could I ever ask for than that? Especially after our rocky start, I was so relieved I wanted to cry.

But then in came my father, pulling us out of our little bubble and bringing back the real world. And from the way Wulfric went stiff and stopped touching me, he wasn't comfortable in front of my dad. Was it any wonder I was annoyed?

Annoyed... and a little concerned. Because it seemed like Wulfric had something unpleasant to share with me.

"We were never told much about our curse," Wulfric said. "My father kept the details very limited in the beginning, no matter how we pressed him. Last night, I learned the truth. My father orchestrated the curse and worked with a caster to implement it."

That was fascinating, but it didn't explain the guilt in Wulfric's eyes. Dad frowned at me, and I knew we were on the same page. That can't be all.

Wulfric cleared his throat and seemed to have trouble meeting my eyes for the first time. "I also learned that the curse will not force me to become human," he said, looking down at his hands.

I was glad Wulfric wasn't watching me, because I didn't react well. I couldn't make sense of what I was feeling, but none of it was good. My dad shifted in his seat, drawing my eyes.

"This is between the two of you. I'm going to go check in on Glenna and Safiya," he said, and made his exit. He didn't get away fast enough to hide his pitying expression from me.

Wulfric hadn't moved at all, and I knew he must be waiting for some reaction from me. "So, you're going to stay a vampire?" I asked.

"Yes."

That was it. Just "yes."

What was I feeling? I really couldn't tell. The closest word I could find was "betrayed." But that wasn't right, was it? Wulfric never said he was going to become human. Had I assumed as much when he invited me over? Yes. After all the "I can't even be in your vicinity without a blindfold or else I'll turn human" drama the day Fen took him to me, excuse me for thinking it meant something when he invited me to spend time with him.

He never actually said he was going to become human, part of me argued. Was that my rational side? Or was it that desperate part of myself that clung to any idea that meant avoiding conflict? It was true that I really didn't want to get into a big argument on our first morning together.

The silence drew out between us until it started to feel oppressive. But too many questions swirled in my mind for me to want to add to the turmoil by speaking aloud.

What will this mean for us?

Can I change his mind? Should I change his mind?

What's so great about being a vampire anyway?

Okay, I wasn't that obtuse. I could see the benefits as clear as day. Never aging and escaping the ever-present knowledge that someday you were going to die were some pretty big perks.

Is it wrong for me to want him to give that up?

Yeah, probably. And isn't love supposed to be selfless? I might not love him yet, but I knew it would happen sooner or later. I just hoped that, when that day came, I could sincerely support Wulfric's decision.

"Griffin?" Wulfric said softly. His hesitation made me want to smile. It was sort of nice to know I had thrown him off-balance. At least now I wasn't alone.

"I'm just... processing."

That was one word for the chaos in my head. It didn't feel like it was going to settle down any time soon.

"I'm sorry for the position this puts you in," Wulfric said. I thought he sounded sincere.

I shook my head and held up a hand. "I don't want to talk about this right now. Let's just try and have a nice morning, okay?"

Wulfric's eyebrows scrunched and he didn't look particularly happy with my decision, but he said nothing. Shouldn't he be thrilled I wasn't making a big deal about this?

Sadly, just saying we should move on didn't instantly dissolve the tension in the air. Wulfric was clearly stiff and uncomfortable, nothing like the man he was earlier who knew just how to put me at ease.

Maybe it's my turn to ease his mind.

Before I could say something inane, a sleepy-looking man came shuffling into the room. His hands covered his face as he rubbed at his eyes, and strands of brown hair hung haphazardly around his face. He collapsed onto a chair without seeming to look at it at all and groaned. "I am so not a morning person."

Who was this guy? And who did he think he was talking to, exactly? It took a few more seconds before he finally looked around. I saw the moment he realized there was a stranger in the room.

"Um, hi. I'm Arlo."

"Griffin," I replied.

I had no idea who this was, but it was clear my name had some meaning for him. His wide eyes fixed on Wulfric's and he smiled widely, suddenly looking very awake. "Hey, that's great!" he said. "I'm Wulf's nephew. Well, his grand-nephew."

And, yeah, okay, that was a little weird. The guy looked my age, and Wulfric was two generations older than him. I already knew Wulfric had me way beat on age, but knowing it in theory was way different than seeing evidence right in front of me.

"So you're his..."

"My sister's grandson," Wulfric filled in for me when I trailed off.

That was weird for sure. What was he even doing with me? I was only twenty-one, and not even a mature twenty-one. I really need to get my life together.

I realized Arlo was waiting for me to respond. "I'm Wulfric's mate."

Arlo smirked at that and shot Wulfric a waggle-eyebrowed look that was easy to interpret. "Oh, I know who you are. I have to say, it's a surprise to find you here. A good surprise."

"Um, thanks?" What, exactly, was I supposed to say to that? I opted for changing the topic altogether.

It didn't get much less awkward until everyone came out for lunch a long time later. I didn't know how to hold a normal conversation with Wulfric's whole "I'm staying a vampire" thing still weighing on my mind and Wulfric didn't really seem the type to bother with conversation just for the sake of filling the silence. Arlo, meanwhile, seemed to be amused just watching us exist in the same space. Time crawled by when it should have been a nice morning spent getting to know my mate.

Dad's expression was neutral when he came out from the magic shop with Safiya to lay out some food. Too neutral, maybe. There was no doubt he'd heard my whole conversation with Wulfric after leaving the room earlier with his werewolf hearing. He was trying to stay out of my business and treat me like an adult, which I really did appreciate... but not as much as I wanted to know what he thought.

Did he understand my side? What would Dad have done if he'd been put in my position?

But of course, he didn't bring it up. He and Safiya laid out lunch while talking about a special order that had come in for a sphinx. Safiya wasn't sure how she'd make the delivery, since the sphinx couldn't leave the tomb she guarded. Glenna was afraid of being close to dead bodies, Safiya was bad at teleportation magic, and her husband was busy preparing one of his students for some big spellcasting competition.

"Why not ask Fen?" Dad suggested.

"These old tombs are full of traps and hexes. No way am I sending Fen into one," Safiya dismissed immediately.

"He could take me and I'll make the drop," Wulfric suggested.

Safiya and my dad both looked over at him. Her face glowed with delight, while Dad looked more inscrutable. I couldn't tell if he was pleased at Wulfric offering his help or not.

"Really? Would you? That would be so great," Safiya gushed.

"It's not a problem, especially after I've taken such advantage of your hospitality," Wulfric replied smoothly.

"Isn't it dangerous?" I asked.

"Not for a vampire," Wulfric answered with a wink.

It was strange, the warring emotions that sparked in me. I liked how he looked winking, and I liked the way he seemed to tease me just a little bit. But the reminder that he was a vampire made my chest ache. I really needed to find a way to get okay with this before it started breeding resentment.

Wulfric convened with Safiya to sort out all the details. In the meantime, my dad came over to sit with me. Arlo not-so-subtly scampered into the magic shop, and I was grateful for his thoughtfulness.

"How are you doing, kid?" Dad asked. I smiled at that. Most people probably didn't like when their parents called them "kid" or "baby" or whatever, but I loved it. I liked the reminder that, no matter how grown up I was meant to be, I was still theirs and they were still looking after me.

"Okay," I answered. I sounded as uncertain as I felt.

Dad didn't push me, though. He just leaned back against the arm of the couch and said, "Your relationship with your mate is going to grow and change a lot, Griffin. As you get to know each other, you'll learn what both of you need and what both of you have to offer. It's okay not to have it all figured out right now."

I hadn't realized how tense I was until Dad said that, when I relaxed. "Thanks."

He leaned over for a quick one-armed hug before standing up and brushing off his pants. "I'm going to head out. It looks like everything here is under control and I've put off my work for long enough."

And as much as I hadn't been excited to see him show up today, I was disappointed that he was leaving. "Are you sure you can't stay for lunch?" I asked.

I watched him take in my expression for a long moment before he smiled. "I guess I have time for some food," he conceded.

As glad as I was that he had agreed, I had an instant moment of regret and self-doubt. How pathetic was it to want my daddy to stay with me when I was just getting to know my mate? I hated that uncertain, clingy part of myself almost as much as I hated how easily I always bounced back and forth between opposing thoughts and emotions.

In the end, it was nice that Dad stayed, and even nicer when he left right after we finished cleaning up. He and Wulfric seemed to get along well, and he was able to smooth a lot of awkward moments of silence away before I could start worrying about them.

Soon, Wulfric and I were alone on the couch again. "So, um, what do you want to do?"

Something was amusing him, though I doubted he would tell me what. It showed in his eyes. "I want to see some of your life," he said.

"Oh?"

"Yes. Why don't you show me where you like to spend your time?" His eyes almost seemed lit from within, and they were so pretty I had a hard time following our conversation. I started nodding before I realized what I was agreeing to.

"You mean my home?" I asked. It wouldn't be a problem to take him onto pack land, but it seemed way too soon for him to meet my whole family. They could be kind of a lot, and as soon as they caught wind of him, he'd be surrounded.

"I would like to see your home... but that isn't what I meant. Why don't you show me more of the area? Where do you go when you step out?"

I wondered why he was asking, and why that light in his eyes was still so bright. Was I imagining it? Or was this some kind of vampire magic? "Um, I mostly go... out," I admitted vaguely. Wulfric waited for me to elaborate, so I reluctantly added, "You know, bars and clubs and stuff."

Amusement died out in favor of something far more predatory. It sent a thrill straight through my chest, and goosebumps erupted over my arms at the way he focused so intently on me. "That sounds perfect," he said. His words sounded a little funny as he spoke around elongated fangs.

My heart raced faster at the reminder that he could be dangerous. It wasn't fear. No, Wulfric had me excited. In all the best ways. "Okay."

Would I regret this later? Probably. I couldn't imagine Wulfric, who seemed so proper and together, in the kind of joint where I liked to hang out. But he looked too pleased for me to take back my agreement.

"Excellent," Wulfric said, and I knew I couldn't back out.

I stood up reluctantly and glanced toward the door. "I'd better get going," I said.

"Really?" Wulfric asked, obviously surprised.

"Yeah. I need to take care of a few things."

Namely, the more time I spent with Wulfric, the more urgently I felt the need to have somewhere private to take him. What if we went out tonight and things got heated between us? I didn't want our first time to be in the back of a car. So, I needed to see if Uncle Magnus could get me my own suite in the pack house today. Since I already knew there were vacancies and that he approved of my plan, I thought there was a good chance I could have my own place by tonight. I wouldn't be moved in yet, but I could have all the essentials there... just in case.

"Griffin?" Wulfric asked.

Since when was he standing in front of me? I hadn't noticed him getting up. Wulfric was close now, and leaning into my space in a way that made my throat dry. "Yeah?"

"I asked, when do you want to go out?"

"Tonight?" Please, I added silently. Please, please tonight.

That made him smile again. "Good. Shall I pick you up?"

My head was shaking no before he even finished asking. "Better not. The pack territory can be confusing if you aren't familiar with it, and you'd have trouble getting through security without me. I'll pick you up here. Okay?"

"Alright. What time?"

"Seven?" Was that enough time? I had no idea, but it was already six hours away and I'd rather not draw out our separation any more than I had to.

"It's a date," Wulfric said. His hand skimmed down my forearm, leaving tingles in its wake, until he reached my hand. He delicately wrapped his fingers around mine and lifted our hands so he could press a kiss to the sensitive skin of my wrist. "Until later."

I had a hard time stepping away, and when I did it was on shaky legs. He smirked at me, and I could almost imagine him teasing me for such a simple little peck affecting me so much.

I couldn't wait for him to kiss me again, in so many other places.