Sleuth

Questions

"Are you insane?" Lauren Hale whispered, half dazed, eyes closed.

Unsure of what to say to that question, Kaddian sat in silence, waiting for Lauren Hale to open her eyes.

When the massive man said nothing, Lauren knew she was going to have to open her eyes and face the embarrassment of knowing that she kissed Kaddian Grayson.

One lid at a time, Lauren opened her eyes to find Kaddian staring at her intently.

"You're really intense" Lauren whispered. She wasn't sure why but she felt like she had to tell him that.

Kaddian's brow furrowed but he still said nothing.

Lauren Hale let out a deep breath then summoned up the courage to ask him for clarifications.

"So am I to take that..." Lauren felt her face flame up, "incident, to mean that you think I'm your... The other half?". This was beyond excruciating.

"If I understand your question correctly, then yes" Kaddian Grayson said shortly.

Lauren Hale stared at him for a few seconds before stating, "but I'm not a bear".

"You don't have to be" Kaddian replied matter of factly.

"How can the she-Alpha not be a bear?"

"Just because mates are generally both bears doesn't mean that a mate pair can't be a human and a bear. There are no set in stone rules for this, I know what I know, and that is that you are my mate" normally, speaking this much would make Kaddian uneasy but he felt so comfortable with Lauren, especially since she had not rejected his advances.

Sheriff Hale was searching Kaddian's face for something that she could not find. She finally scrunched her face up slightly and asked, "are you sure?".

"Sheriff Hale-"

"Oh no no buddy, we just... kissed... You don't get to call me 'Sheriff Hale' anymore. Lauren" it seemed Lauren Hale had found some assertiveness.

Kaddian found it slightly amusing that it was his choice of name for her that irked her the most.

"Lauren, I've known for five years. Since the night you found me rescuing my sister and you touched my arm. I've just been very careful around you. I was not sure if we would ever be together, but I knew regardless of the end result, I needed to integrate you into our world slowly. I also knew that since you weren't a bear, you wouldn't feel the same pull I did. If you wanted to date someone else or be with another human, I would let you go. This is your choice, with it comes a lot of responsibility and strife no doubt. But it's a choice, all the same. You can walk away from this and I won't ever bother you again, on that I swear" Kaddian finished his speech and rose to leave, knowing he should give her time to think alone.

Kaddian was forced to stop when he felt her hand on his forearm.

"Where are you going?" Lauren Hale felt the concern expressing itself on her face.

"You need time to think" Kaddian stated.

"I do... But don't leave" the last part of her sentenced was added almost in a whispered plea.

The was no earthly way Kaddian Grayson could leave now. He returned to the chair in the corner.

Perhaps the distance would help with his slipping self control. He knew it would be difficult, letting her leave, especially after coming as close as he had.

"I think better out loud" Lauren Hale said, almost as if she was asking him for permission.

"Alright" he said with a nod.