Love Bites

Chapter 32: Mates

Damon hadn't expected everything to tumble down around him so quickly, but there was no hiding it now. He sighs, "Yes. You're my mate."

Just hearing him confirm it made it seem that much more real. Up until this point, Zoey could tell herself that it was all just a crazy misunderstanding, but deep down, she knew she was just in denial. The way he acted toward her wasn't normal. He was careful, considerate, sweet, loving even and all of that was a problem.

"How's that even possible? I thought your mates could only be werewolves. I'm not a werewolf." She gestures to her very human-like appearance.

Damon chuckles, "Yeah. I know. I've been asking myself that question since I found out. I don't know how it's possible. Maybe it was always possible. We've spent so much of our time isolating ourselves from humans that maybe we never noticed it before. Maybe it's only starting to be possible because we're a dying breed, and this is Selene's way of helping us. There are so many possibilities, Zoey. I don't know why. All I know is that you're my mate."

She looks around the room, trying to avoid his gaze. She didn't know much about mates, and she hadn't particularly paid attention because she thought it was ridiculous and there was no way it would apply to her. Still, now she regretted that decision, but instead of freaking out, she was trying to keep a level head. Finding out you're someone's destined partner when you've barely started to move on from the past is a lot to take at once.

"Alright... so when did you find out? How does it work?" She stares him down head-on.

Damon looked down at the wooden floors to avert his eyes because he knew what he had to say would make her incredibly angry, "Since the moment I met you."

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Damon gets out of his blue jeep right in front of Jet Rec's bowling alley. It was high noon on a Sunday, and Damon had made time to meet Cole's girlfriend. His best friend was ecstatic to introduce this girl to him, and he couldn't help be happy for him. Cole rarely showed an interest in any women, and Damon could tell that Cole was serious about this one. If he was having Damon meet her, he likely wanted to ask him if they could move into pack territory. Usually, humans weren't allowed, they just brought a lot of uncertainty, and Damon had to think about the pack's well-being. He couldn't do anything to put them in danger, but he was willing to make an exception in this case. Damon trusted Cole's judgment. He was just as dedicated to this pack as he was, even if she was a T.E.R.A agent.

Cole had spent too much time alone; he had hoped his best friend would find someone to make him happy. He had hoped his best friend would find his mate, but even if she wasn't, she made him happy, which is what mattered. The rest didn't.

Damon made his way to the front doors. Smiling families with cheerful kids came and left the establishment. He couldn't help but be reminded of the baby he and Casey lost, a wound that hadn't healed.

A few eyes turned to see him out of curiosity. He ignored their glances; people tended to turn their heads when they saw any one of them. Werewolves stuck out in the crowd. They were seen as relatively beautiful human beings. With their sun-kissed skin, tall presence, and fit body types. They would stick out even more if they didn't wear their brown contacts in public which Damon never forgot. He had no intention of attracting T.E.R.A, and their eyes were a dead giveaway.

He opened the door for a mother and her son before he made his way in and looked around. The clattering of bowling balls, idle chatter, and laughter reverberated through the building. People were essentially minding their own business and having a good time. Damon didn't know why Cole chose this place to meet his significant other out of all places, but he assumed it was because it was public with many people. It would be difficult for Damon or his significant other to make a scene without drawing much attention.