Lost in Worlds

Nature

She should have seen it coming. Should have seen the wave of unpredictability ending up with Connor as her mate. It was certainly surprise, nothing more, nothing less. She didn't despise the idea; especially considering her change of heart after talking with Evalyne. Avery just wasn't sure she was ready for such a...change in her life. Particularly the forced relationship part, which she supposed, a mate is.

She had cantered out of the tent after a sharp, curt 'goodbye' to Evalyne, too wrapped up in the storm that had surrounded her to percept the magical women's potentially hurt feelings. And then he had come. Not Connor, but Clyde, telling her that a special someone waited for her at the front of the pack house. Avery calmed her somewhat vicious walking style and slowed to a stroll, heading in the opposite direction. Clyde had gaped after her but soon accepted her reaction and making his own way elsewhere.

So, here stood Avery, arms wrapped around her torso, shivering against the chilly afternoon, teeth shattering at near lightning speed. Alone in her thoughts, in the woods, or so she thought. For one moment, her fingers trailed a tree trunk as she circled the tree admiring its age and length. Footsteps sounded behind her and she immediately tensed. That is, until feather-light fingertips touched her back sending shivers down her spine as her back arched ever so slightly. They trailed around her middle and soon rested on the front side of her body, just under her breasts-

Avery whirled on the figure, instantly aware who stood there. Her mate. She thought the word scornfully and sneered inwardly at it. He stood inches away from her faces. Her lips. "I had a feeling I'd find you here." His voice was low. Husky.

"Really?" Avery replied, uninterested.

"No. I tracked you." She nodded her head, not surprised, as if expecting it.

"We need to talk," said Connor as he made his way impossibly closer to her. "I know," she replied.

"Good, because I-"

Avery cut him off. "I know we are mates."

Connor rose his eyebrows, taken off guard, but didn't comment on it and instead nodded, asking what she thought of it. Avery didn't know so she merely motioned to a nearby log, beckoning them to sit and chat. He obliged.

"Tell me about mates. The duties, the expectations, all of it." A hint of hope glistened Connor's eyes as if expecting rejection. But Avery knew they wouldn't have handled something so deep as that, considering they were already dealing with a Queen, a broken connection would have destroyed them.

Avery shook her head, though, "This isn't an acceptance. I am merely considering all options."

Connor nodded then proceeded. "They are the equivalent of human marriages and relationships but the bond is not initially formed over choice and attraction. Though this can take part in it, the decision of a mating bond is officially determined through the Wolf Goddess."

"Spoken like a true expert," said Avery, hand over her heart, shoulders tall as she feigned an impressed expression. The tension in the atmosphere dissipated and their light-heartedness brought back memories from the forest. What their friendship had been back then. Oh, how far they had come.

Connor gave a small smile at her comment and continued. "If the mates accept each other, and no verbal confirmation is needed for this, the next few stages of the bond may be completed. If done against will, the affects have the potential to be fatal. But that is not my intention for you, so you have no need to worry." Avery didn't worry. Her past self, trusted him, and perhaps a small part of herself still did, or maybe she gave him the benefit of the doubt for the sake of it. She didn't know yet she didn't worry. Instead, she smiled. Grinned toothily even.