A Second Chance (Fated Mate) by Shannon Duane Read Free Book Online

family?”
    “ Shana and Trevor are all I have. I lost my parents long ago when they were killed during a drug bust; they were cops not drug lords. I was raised by my grandmother who died shortly after I graduated college.”
    “ I’m very sorry to hear that. I have a big family, not including the pack. They all live in Australia though, so I rarely see them. I do however spend a great deal of time with the pack. I’m second only to Jake’s Alpha status. We’ve been friends a long time. I’ve taken to Shana and Trevor as well.”
    Katie beamed up at him.
    “ You aren’t expected to do or say anything. We are mates, which means, in shifter culture that you are my other half, I know you by your scent. When we’re together, we’ll find contentment and bliss.” His eyebrows waggled. “There will be no other female for myself, and if you choose to accept me I will be your only male, forever. You will take on some of my magic by scenting emotions and feelings, and your life will be extended because of our bond. I love you already, and am willing to wait if you need time to process this mess I’ve made. Did I say I was sorry already?”
    “ What mess are you referring to? Why were you and Shana fighting?”
    And here was the sticky part. “When a mate is found, the shifter should consent the human before mating. Unfortunately, I was caught up in the moment and completed the bond without…informing you. I am truly sorry and if I had to do it all over again…I would still take you, but I wouldn’t have bonded with you.”
    “ What’s the difference between a mate and a bond? I still don’t understand. If I’m your mate and we bond isn’t that what’s supposed to happen?” She was more puzzled with all this shifter talk than when they started. And, why did he suddenly look petrified?
    “ You are my mate. I will know you by scent, and be able to follow you anywhere tracing your scent-within a reasonable distance. The bond is when a mated pair…Mate.”
    “ That’s it? Come on, what are you hiding?”
    She was gonna be pissed. “We bonded when I came inside of you, and mauled you. Sorry again.” At her further look of bewilderment he said. “I bit you.”
    “And…”
    “A bonded mate cannot, uh, orgasm without the scent or voice of the other near. They cannot find their own release, without their mate’s scent in the room. And they are unable to have intimate contact with a non-mate, without becoming physically ill.” He closed his eyes and waited for her palm to connect with his cheek.
    Unexpectedly, she doubled over in a fit of laughter. It was music to his ears. It was a little crazed and a bit illogical until she said, “That’s why I puked.” She was laughing so hard she was crying.
    “ I hate to interrupt, because you seem so cheerful, but I don’t understand. Puked?” Now he was the bewildered one. Until…
    “ You see, I went on a date with another officer. And at the end, when he kissed me goodnight, I spewed all over his shoes.” She couldn’t stop laughing.
    Well, he didn ’t think it was so funny. “Why were you kissing another man? I thought we, well, I thought we would be together.”
    “ Honey, I bolted after the wedding/sex and tried to get you out of my mind. Unfortunately, I had a pretty rough time so I kept busy.”
    “ Retching on other men? I have to admit I’m extremely jealous-of the kiss, not the vomitus. It is a wonderful story, but it is making me irate so let’s not speak of it again-ever.” While he was pining after her she was out smooching other men. His jaw clenched.
    Uh, oh his eyes had turned from beautiful intense blue to a vivid yellow. “Um, are your eyes supposed to be turning color? It’s quite disturbing. Can you make them happy blue again? If not I might just start crying. I am pregnant you remember. And out of ice cream.” She held up the empty carton.
    He closed his eyes, took a few calming breaths, and when he opened them again his eyes