Truly Ours ✔️

Chapter Seven

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒮𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃 / 𝟩 / 𝑀𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝒰𝓅

    "I'm sure you've heard about how wolf shifters, or more specifically werewolves have mates?" Mikael asked. Taz nodded. "We're... a little different. I'm of alpha blood, and so is my sister. However, since I was born first, I am the only one out of us two who can have a "mate" since I'm heir to the pack." He paused, glancing over at Taz who nodded encouragingly. "Mates begin with what we call an Imprint, which is what Nanook mentioned." He threaded his fingers together, a gesture that Taz did himself often when he felt anxious.

Take as long as you need. Taz said, tail flicking and writing out the words in blue hellfire. Mikael smiled wryly.

    "An Imprint first forms when someone in the first line of the alpha heirs forms emotions for another person, whether they are reciprocated or not. It's a weak bond, and it's easy to break. But, the stronger the emotions become, the stronger the bond gets and the harder it is to break. The bond between the mates is completed when emotions on both ends are reciprocated." Mikael continued. "The only way for bonds to break, or disappear, is if the emotions for the other disappears completely, or if the 'initiator' of the Imprint passes. But, if a bond remains incomplete for a long enough time, then the shifter's physical and emotional well-being will slowly deteriorate."

    So you Imprinted on someone? Taz's tail flicked again, and Mikael nodded, almost shyly. I want to know! Tell me.

    "Well, if you think about the other questions you asked me, I think it's kind of obvious." Mikael mumbled. Taz blinked, and tried to recall what he'd asked. It took a few moments, before the pieces clicked. Oh.

    Taz pointed to himself stupidly, and Mikael nodded, cheeks flushing as he buried his face in his knees with a loud and embarrassed groan. So Mikael had been jealous then, when Kiba had been flirting with Taz, and the younger shifter frowned as he tried to wrap his head around the concept. It was so... strange and new to him.

    "Taz." Taz looked up when he heard Mikael speak quietly, the wolf shifter's cheeks still red, the flush having spread to his ears and neck. "I like you. A lot. That's also why I have the picture of you and I on my phone, because I'm always just stupidly hopeful that one day you'll say you like me back." Mikael paused, and tilted his head up to stare at the sky, which was slowly turning darker as the sun began to set. "I've been more sad this year," Mikael admitted softly. "Because I wasn't very confident when I spoke to you and I was always afraid that I would mess things up. My wolf adores you, and... well, quite frankly he and I want you to be with us. You know, together." Now Taz was blushing, and he covered his cheeks and mouth with his sleeves, green eyes wide.

    But... why me? Mikael frowned, and shifted forward to face Taz.

    "Because you're you." He said simply. "You live in the moment, and you don't overthink. You're intelligent and incredibly observant. You're unique, and I really like that about you." Mikael was staring down at his hands in his lap. Taz didn't mind. When he tapped Mikael's wrist, the wolf shifter looked at him curiously.

    Can I see your wolf? Mikael blinked, pausing before he nodded, raking a hand through his hair and standing up. A slight shudder ran through Mikael's body, and Taz watched, awed as he shifted right before him. Mikael shook out his pelt, padding up to Taz and resting its chin on Taz's leg. He was a pretty wolf, a handsome one. Taz scratched behind his ears, and the wolf let out a contented huff.

    The wolf was a mix of three colors: a dark brown, a murky chocolate brown, and white. The dark brown almost seemed to make a cloak on his back and around his neck, wrapping around his head and face, his hind legs also a dark brown.