The Erinyes's Bond (Wolfguise)

Chapter 37-Eska

Shade held the parlor's door open and I stepped inside. The atmosphere was inviting and chill. I'd been in a few tattoo shops with Ronka and Julio. They'd wanted piercings and tattoos and I had been content watching them. Now I wanted to adorn my body with ink.

A man and woman came out from the back. The man's grin grew wide when he spotted us.

"Shade, motherfucker. What's up?" He came around the counter and pulled my mate into his embrace. I noticed that he had Venari Aut Mori Solum tattooed on his arm. He was one of Shade's friends.

Shade hugged his friend, easily dwarfing him. "I want to add to my back piece. Do you have time today?"

"I sure do," he turned to look at me, "and tell me who is this?"

I held my hand out. "Eska. Pleasure to meet you."

He gripped my hand firmly. "I'm Griffin, this is my mate Cali. You a friend of Shade's?"

Griffin's tone held a hopefulness. He wanted me to be more than a friend for Shade. I reached up and pulled my jacket to the side. His eyes lit up when he saw the mate marks.

He turned to Shade and smacked him in the stomach. "Look at you! Never thought it would happen. You being damned determined to avoid it."

Shade reached for me, pulling me against his side. "She was unavoidable. Which I am grateful for."

Cali came around the counter and held her hand out. "We've all been hoping he'd find a mate. It's so exciting to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you both." I suddenly felt very self conscience. When I'd done my...hunting, I had only done the surface background check and a few other things, but didn't want to delve too deeply into his social circles. I wanted some of his life to be a mystery. Now I was worried his friends wouldn't like me.

Shade ran his hand up and down my back. "I have been hesitant to bring her around. All of you have too many stories of my pup days. I am not looking forward to that embarrassment."

Griffin laughed. "Oh is that so, well I'm going to tell the others. Then we're going to show up at your house and tell her every dirty secret."

There was a shuffling behind the counter and another man came out from the back. My brow furrowed. He didn't hold the same life as Griffin and Cali did. Shade stiffened beside me, hand stilling on my lower back.

"Caleb." Shade's voice was soft.

Caleb smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. "Shade."

Shade released me and went to Caleb. Shade took Caleb's face in his hands and pressed his forehead to his. Caleb didn't reach out or move. It was as if he wasn't all there and I couldn't figure out why.

Shade stepped back but didn't let his friend go. "I would like you to meet my mate."

Caleb looked up at Shade briefly. "You have a mate?"

Shade stepped aside. "Yes, her name is Eska. Come."

Griffin and Cali wrapped their arms around each other. Watching the exchange with measured gazes. Shade led Caleb to where I was standing. Caleb glanced at me briefly before looking out the window.

"You're not a werewolf." His voice was flat, void of any emotion.

"No, I'm not. My father was a werewolf. My mother is Other." I wasn't sure if furies were common knowledge in the world of Others. I'd have to ask Lily.

Caleb grabbed Shade's side, clutching his shirt tightly. "Shade, I'm sorry."

Shade hugged his friend close. "Eska is good for me. She has accepted all of me. I promise, she loves all of who I am. My wolf chooses her. I am whole and will be for the rest of my life."

Caleb grabbed Shade, hugging him tightly. Griffin and Cali looked at each other, surprised by his reaction. I would need to ask about this later. Something unspeakable must have happened to his friend.

Caleb looked up at Shade. "I am glad you found her then. You deserve happiness and love."

"Thank you my friend." Shade hugged his friend and let him go.

Shade clapped his hands together, wringing out the anxiety he had been holding. "Now, let us begin, I foresee a long day ahead."

I stepped up and grabbed his hand. He shook slightly, and the bond vibrated with his relief. Caleb must be very important to him. I wondered what had happened and if that had been a worry for Shade.