The Unwanted Mate (The Mate Series: Novel 3)

chapter 11(pt 2)

THIS HAS NOT BEEN EDITED.

Chapter 11 (pt2)

    "Hunter what are you talking about?" I shook my head, believe me I wanted nothing more then to believe anyone but Dr. Raimi was my fatger, but it just wasn't possible. Why would he have even claimed me if I wasn't his offspring- he sure as hell never loved me.

    "You've felt the bond between us, Nikki. You had to have. I didn't know what it was at first so I know you couldn't have. I've always been... pulled towards you. Not in the way T- well, other people are, but as blood. We're bonded. Like you and Ian."

    "Ian?" I questioned feeling my throat tighten. Ian had been missing for 5 years. People always said he was most likely dead, but I refused to believe it. If some one as brave and loving as Ian then I would know. "So if Ian is my brother, then he's your brother, too?" I questioned, my heart squeezing as I prepared for Hunter to correct me Was my brother, everyone else did. But the correction never came.

    "Well, I suppose we are related through you, but... well, Leo's are more complicated then wolves. Do you know that Female lions- and tigers- have at least two possible mates- maybe more. Males have even morepossibilities. So... with that in mind, you have to realize that Ian and I are of no relation- Not closely anyhow. Except in our ties of DNA and you. My father- your father- is the pride leader. Ian was your mother's son- your half brother, while I was our father's son. So in all technicality. No, I ma not related to Ian."

    "So our father had more then... just our mothers?"

    "Yes," Hunter looked over at me, I wasn't sure if it was my voice or my face that gave me away in my thoughts. "Don't think like that. For Leos' it's perfectly natural not to stay with one mate your whole life. Or even for males to breed one female at a time. And I'm sure there were more women then just our mothers'. But the difference is the feelings he had for our mothers." Hunter explained. "Because of his love for my mother and his love for your mother, the rest of his children are considered iligitament. So if anything were to happen to our father I would take over, fighting any male that wanted to try to take the position from me anyway. Then if something were to happen to me before I had an Heir, you would step up, fighting any female that wanted to try to take your right from you."

    "Well, lets hope nothing happens to you, because I don't have any fighting skills."

    "You do. It's all instinct, you're just a late bloomer." He sniffed the air. "You're close. Usually it's around the 16th birthday a full shifter can change, but you also have to remember you are not a full shifter. And people will think you're weak because of that." He looked back to me, "People will try to take advantage of you. Here you are just a little girl who stands in the way of a new leader. There are- just like in any governtent- people that like the way things are being run and people who do not. Leos' also tend to hold grudges. So watch your back. Do not trust completely unless I tell you other wise."

    "What do you mean? That we're actually going... Where are we going exactly?"

    Hunter smiled. "We're going home Nikki."

    "Home," I tried the word out on my tongue. It sounded like heaven. "Does our father know about me?" I asked feeling a jittery high sweep over me.

    "Yes, he's excited. He thought you were dead."

    "What is our father's name?"

    That question made him laugh. "You're named for him." He told me, "His name is Nicloai."

    "Oh, that's... interesting." I amiled at him, but the high I'd felt turned into a nervousness. I let my face drop.

    "Hey, relax. He'll love you. Everyone does." Hunter offered.