Afraid

Ch. 6 - Virginity is a social construct

Holy crap. This took too long to write. Sorry for the wait but I hope you enjoy another lengthy look at Seb's world.

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to vote!

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Sebastián

"You found her!?", Mom's voice echoes within the ritual circle.

"Hm, I really thought they'd be a dude", I hear Phoenix, behind the flames.

"Same", Uncle Basil adds as they chuckle humorously.

"Shut it! Both of you!" Dad snarls, silencing them.

I ignore them altogether, too distracted by my swirling thoughts. Replaying the vision that is my mate, over and over again in my head. Nothing else mattering anymore. Just her. My heart still hammering erratically in my chest at the thought.

Theodora extinguishes the flames, letting me out. I thank her for everything and she excuses herself to give us some privacy.

I turn towards my family. Each of them looking at me expectantly, waiting for any information. But where do I even begin? How do I tell them she's a human? How will it ever work? I know once I tell them, I'll see their faces, their reactions and it will only confirm what I already know. A human mated to a vampire can never work. It's never been done. Putting aside the fact that we literally survive on the very thing that runs through their veins, keeping them alive. She'll never accept me—a vampire. She'll never accept the life that comes with accepting me as a mate. It would be too much for her. If anything, I'd disgust her, scaring her away altogether. I don't even have her yet and it already feels hopeless.

I don't stand a chance. And that thought alone shatters me.

Feeling my despair, Mom comes forward, squeezing my hand in hers, "Seb, what's wrong?"

I let out a breath I don't even realize I'm holding, "She's...human".

"Human!?", They all gasp, shocked. But there's more. They try to conceal it but I can see through it, their despondency. They feel it too.
I look to my parents for some kind of assurance. For anything. But all I can sense is their worry.

Dad is first to breaks the silence, "Ok, start from the beginning. Where did you transport to?"

I sigh heavily, my heart suddenly squeezing in my chest, as flashes of my mate in the bed of another man comes to mind. Now that the initial adrenaline has melted away and the fog has cleared, I'm left with this unruly anxiety distorting my mind. Why didn't anyone ever tell me finding my mate would come with so much heartache?

"I-...a bedroom", I shake my head, ridding myself of those inescapable, painful images. "That doesn't matter. I know where to find her".

"Well that's great!" Mom cheers but instantly waivers when she notices my forlorn expression, "Right?", She questions hesitantly, her forehead creasing with worry.

"..I don't really know anymore", I whisper, distraught. I rub my forehead, already feeling a headache coming on, "I'm going to go lay down".

Mom looks to dad for support. He holds her in his arms and kisses the side of her head, "He just needs time Corazón".

We'll be here when you're ready to talk. Dad links to me.

Thanks.

He nods in understanding.

And with one last glance at my family, I escape to my room, wanting nothing more than to bury myself in my misery. But, of course, Phoenix follows, not allowing me the space to sulk in peace.