Page 298 of Incompatible

"You did the same," he replies. "The Joining is complete, Alex. We are whole again. Our souls have become one."

BAY

I sit at the kitchen table and watch Alex. He looks radiant, his cheeks warm with color, his hair in a charming mess. He hums under his breath one of my songs, while he makes us soft-boiled eggs with a tomato salad and toast with cheese.

From time to time he glances at me, those brief, flirtatious looks I remember from when we were in high school, carefree and bright.

But the scent hanging in the air carries a new note and I wonder how to tell him about it, my fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop in the rhythm of the song that has been looping in my head and demanding to get out.

What surprises me is that yesterday’s events didn’t shake Alex nearly as much as I expected, neither the kidnapping nor his unexpected transformation into a revenant seem to have left a deeper trauma. I have the sense that the Bond between True Mates softens some of the shock and disperses it along the energetic thread that connects us.

Besides, the feeling of strength definitely helps. Alex discovered how effective and powerful his unusual ability can be, and even though many people might find it frightening or unsettling, he has had time to come to terms with the idea since Oswald’s death. Now he simply accepts it along with the fact that it comes with even more perks.

I reached that state through years of training and by gaining experience thanks to Ennio. Alex only now has the chance to taste what it feels like not to see himself as a victim all the time but to find himself on the winning side. He’s such a determined and capable person! I can only admire him as the sole architect of our relationship rebirth.

Alex sets a plate in front of me and his face lights up with a wide smile.

"Enjoy," he says and sits down at the table.

"Thank you, Alex. All those years living alone had me relying on meal prep and endless takeout. The only breakfasts someone else ever made for me were at home…"

Alex studies me for a moment.

"I wonder what your dad will say when he finds out."

"There will be two good bits of news for him," I say carefully, tilting my head.

"Oh? And what’s the second one? I have so many candidates in mind." Alex giggles.

I can’t get enough of the sight of him. He is joyful again, bright, almost as if his natural self is finally rising to the surface after years of being frozen.

"It’s very subtle for now, but I can smell something in the air…"

"My Allure? You stopped taking suppressants, didn’t you?"

"That’s not it. I took one last night so the effect is definitely still there. I mean another scent."

Alex goes still, his eyes widening.

"What do you mean?"

"I think you’re pregnant."

A deep silence falls.

I watch him closely. I know that when we were in high school Alex dreamed of having a family, but so many years have passed and things could have changed.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"I’m gonna be a dad?"

"If you choose to be."

Alex closes his eyes and lets out a deep breath.

"It happened in the forest, didn’t it? When I tried to tear off your mask and you jerked back, is that when the condom slipped a bit?"