Shifting Boundaries

Original Chapter 19

Felix

Everett and I went out to the living room to find it empty. The air was still thick with Mel's scent, so I knew she had to be close.

Everett opened the front door and peeked out. "Hi, Meleri," he said. He stepped back to let Mel enter. Her eyes were wide as they darted between the two of us. Finally, she leaned in and sniffed at me, then gasped, her eyes locked on the scar left from Everett's bite on my neck.

"You're mated!" she gasped. "You guys... oh my goodness, congrats!" Mel flung her arms around the two of us, dragging us closer together with surprising strength.

I patted at her back and laughed. "Thanks, Mel."

Everett withdrew and stepped back, but Mel didn't let me go right away. "I'm so, so happy for you," she said.

"Me too," I answered. I caught Everett's gaze over Mel's shoulder to see how he was taking our first reveal, but he looked relaxed. It eased the knot of tension that had gripped me ever since Everett suggested we seal our bond.

"I can't wait to see Magnus' reaction," Mel gushed. It was fun to see her this excited, and even more fun to be the cause of that excitement. Mel pulled out her phone and started tapping at it.

"Don't tell him," I warned her. I wanted to see his reaction, too.

"What do you take me for?" Mel scoffed. She finished typing her message and tucked her phone away in her pocket, then turned to Everett. She appraised him, her expression inscrutable, for a long moment. Everett was shifting on his feet by the time she was done. What was she looking for? Finally, Mel said, "Welcome to the family."

I frowned. That couldn't be it.

Then Mel added, "It feels a little obvious at this point, but you do know that if you do anything to hurt my brother, I'll skin you, right?"

Everett didn't seem phased by her threat. "Felix can take care of himself," he said. "I understand your concern, though, and I promise you, I will not intentionally do anything to hurt your brother." His words were for Meleri, but his eyes were fixed on mine as he spoke.

I shivered at the promise he was making me. The simple fact was, even though we had waited much longer than most did before sealing our mate bond, we still didn't know that much about each other. I knew he was incredibly smart, that he was passionate in the bedroom and logic-driven everywhere else, that he had a deep bond with his mother... but I didn't fool myself into believing I really knew him yet – that would come with time. But I trusted Everett when he said he wouldn't intentionally hurt me. He had made a commitment to me today, and he was standing by it. The knot of tension loosened further, almost completely gone now.

While I stared in Everett's direction, Mel marched further into the living room and pulled Everett down onto the couch next to her. I caught the glint in her eyes too late.

"So, what does this mean?" she asked. "Are you taking my brother from me?"

I winced. Mel was direct to the point of abrasiveness sometimes, a trait that had been with her since she could talk. I had always hoped she would grow out of it, but no luck so far. Maybe when she found her mate, some of these rough edges would be smoothed. Until then, I hurried to my mate's side so I could help him field the many questions I knew Mel would throw at him.

Everett handled his own just fine, though. For a quiet, studious type who didn't like violence, he had a strong backbone. While Everett and Mel talked, I reached out hesitantly to take his hand in mine. He had told me I didn't need permission to touch him, but I was still hesitant. If I reached out to him and he pushed me away, it could do serious damage to our fragile relationship. When my fingers brushed the back of his hand, he flipped it palm-side-up and wove our fingers together. I grasped his hand and let out a relieved breath, trying to calm my racing heart.