Hunter, Shifter's Mate

3

Chase crossed swiftly across the hotel room, eagerly opening the door in answer to the soft knock from the hall. He didn't need to check to know who it was, he could feel it. Petite arms threw themselves around him and he breathed in her intoxicating scent. Quickly, he pulled her into the room and, shutting the door, they shared a short passionate kiss, his hand instinctively fisting in her soft, fiery tresses.

"What are you doing here?" He asked both happy and confused.

Another knock sounded before she could answer. "Oops" she said, giving him a sheepish grin, "we'd better let her in"

Puzzled, Chase again opened the door. "Oh" he replied, as the woman before him stood arms crossed, clearing her throat, and trying with some difficulty to hide her own smile.

"'Oh?' Is that all I get Cuz? I'm hurt" she said in mock irritation. "And after you asked me here to see you no less"

"Sorry," he replied sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. Glancing quickly around the hallway he invited her in.

"Hope you don't mind," said Kay "I brought Nat along. Thought it might be good for the both of you."

"Not at all," he said, glancing admiringly at the red head before tearing his gaze back to his cousin. "I do need to speak with you about something though... In private" he added reluctantly.

———

Chase and Kay sat facing each other, a heavy silence passed between them for a moment before finally Kay spoke.

"Look," she said with a heavy sigh, "there is nothing more I can tell you that I haven't said before... But I will say this, you need to make up your mind about Nat. Either accept her, or reject her. You can not keep her in limbo Chase. You don't seem to fully grasp just how powerful the mate bond is for a Shifter. The more time passes the stronger it gets. Being rejected is not only physically painful to a Shifter, it could lead to a complete mental and emotional breakdown, and I'm talking full blown psychotic break. Or worse, and more likely, death! If you continue to wait and let this grow and then reject her you could literally kill her Chase! Is that what you want? That would be far too cruel, especially for a girl like her... and considering what she's already been through..."

"I know, it's just, I've got all these conflicting thoughts in my head and I... ahhhh!" He roughed his hand vigorously through his hair in frustration "... I know what you would have me do, and a part of me wants to. But I'm a Hunter and she's a Shifter. How do I reconcile our two worlds Kay? How do I make this work??"

"I don't know." She replied softly, "I don't know that you can."