Page 43 of Just One Bite

The woman next to him—probably his assistant—speaks in a calm, chipper tone. “Linked mates need to register. There’s testing to ensure it’s a true match, and it protects you both in the event that you solidify the bond. Have you solidified it yet?”

“That feels intrusive,” I say to my father, who is staring at Olivia.

His bushy, untamed brows are drawn together, as his calculating eyes fixate on her. Oh, hell no. He can treat me like shit, but I don’t even want to give him the chance around her.

“It’s protocol. And it’s for the safety of your mate.”

I should have expected the Werewolf Council to get involved, but my dad showing up is still a rare occurrence in my life. I wouldn’t have taken that bet.

“We haven’t,” Olivia says.

“This sounds a little …” Like it might stress Olivia out.

“It’s okay. We can register. What do I have to do?” Olivia says.

“Give me your finger.” The nurse holds a hand out for Olivia, with a needle in the other.

We’re in the infirmary, and there’s light coming from the windows, but the curtains are drawn with us all huddled together. I don’t like the way they’re closing in on Olivia.

A growl rumbles from my throat.

“It’s just a tiny prick. She’ll be fine,” the nurse assures.

Olivia pats the bed next to her for me to sit, and her fingers slide over mine as they prick her finger, then mine.

Then they’re close to her again, looking at the mark on her neck. I’m completely rigid and on edge with them poking at her. Every move she makes, I fight a muscle twitch. They’re doing this to torture me, surely.

“We’ve already run a thorough check of your histories, and you both meet the criteria for linked mates. Now we’re checking a sample of your blood after the marking.”

My dad is watching us with his hands in his pockets. “Hundreds each year try to claim themselves as linked mate pairings. The council must test.”

I wonder if he thinks we’re bluffing. He never gives me the benefit of the doubt. I bet he wanted to come to do damage control for what he thinks is a fluke. Can’t have his son being an embarrassment.

The nurse’s scan is quick.

“Yep. Parker’s blood matches with Olivia’s. It can only be tested for once a mark has been placed. It changes your blood cells. You even become the same blood type. Looks like you’re the first linked mate pair in more than a century.”

Olivia’s heart rate shoots up, and I wrap my fingers around hers to comfort her.

“I’ll get the paperwork started. I will need your signatures.”

There’s a long rambling about paperwork. Court dates to attend. Lots of things I can barely keep straight because fucking stars above, Olivia and I are linked mates . It’s still as permanent as it was when I marked her, but the registry makes it set in.

As a kid, I went through a phase where I found the idea of linked mates so fascinating.

A lot of Were children do. Even though magic exists, linked mates’ rarity makes it seem like some fairytale.

And when one pops up, multiple will follow, and that’s the phenomenon so many crave.

Throughout history, it’s often brought about peace—even back at the beginning before all interspecies decided to live peacefully, because linked mate pairs are associated with prosperity and connection.

No one can predict it, and they’re not even sure why it happens.

My dad’s assistant opens a large book and motions toward Olivia and me. “This states your names, and date of birth into the official registry. Please sign.”

There’s another pinprick, and I use my bloody thumb to press into the cool paper next to my name. Olivia does the same. All signatures in Vviveren are in blood. It’s seen as the highest oath.

“Feel okay?” I ask Olivia.

Her scent is calm, and that’s making all of this easier.

“I’m fine.” She motions to my father. “You don’t have to watch over me.”

“I would like to talk to you outside if I could.” My father motions toward the door.

I don’t want to leave Olivia, but telling my dad to fuck off right now seems like the wrong move, so I follow him out into the hall, where I can still easily see her. There’s a little window cut out in the wooden door.

“You look good,” he says. “A mate … linked mates. This is great.”

Great for him and the prestige it will bring to the family.

“Thanks … Olivia is extraordinary. She’s warm and talented. Wants to continue her mother’s dream of being in the IBCE. You’d admire her work ethic.”

“And have you met her father yet?”

“No, not yet.”

Speaking of not knowing how we feel yet, Olivia’s father is a whole new added stress to the mix.

She obviously thinks he’s a dick, so I’m inclined to agree with everything she says, but also …

he made her. My perfect person. So in a way, I already want him to like me.

That’s gonna be a killer on my daddy issues, considering I can’t even get my father to have fun talking to me.

There’s no small talk with my father. No " How are your classes?" or "Rage team going okay?"

He only asks about things he cares about.

“The offseason tournament is coming up.” He checks his phone before looking up to me.

“Yeah, I know.”

“You’re prepared? It’s a big time for you. If you’re set on going pro, you need to win.”

As if I could forget the stress of my future career sitting on my shoulders, while my life erupts into chaos.

“I know, Dad. You don’t have anything to worry about.”

He nods, never really making eye contact with me. I think he’s got more wrinkles than when I last saw him. At least by the eyes.

“Well, it’s good to see you.”

“Yeah.” I wave him off, and my feet stick to the floor.

The imprint of his fingers burns my shoulder after he goes to stand by Olivia while she inquires more about linked mates, but I stay with my back against the door.

I don’t like looking at my father for the same reason he doesn’t like looking at me.

He reminds me of Mom and a brief time when things were different and we were all happy.

He doesn’t seem the same type of happy as before.

I guess I’m not either. Like there was a before and after Mom type of happy we just learned to deal with.

My father asks Olivia about ballet and offers her a brief condolence for her mother. There's this little chip in my armor even I don’t think about unless he’s here. I’m already counting down the minutes till he’s gone.

“I’m sorry you’ve been paired with my son. I tried my best.” He says it like a lighthearted joke, but I grit my teeth and let my head hit the door.

He’s going to embarrass me. Tell her about how much I got in trouble in private school with Zant, which was nothing but harmless fun like skipping classes to run around the city or organizing a fighting club in the pool room at night.

“Parker is an amazing mate. You should be very proud of him,” Olivia says with no hesitation.

My shoulders drop from my ears at the sincerity in her voice.

“That boy has been trouble most of his life.”

“If you’re not proud of Parker, you’re not paying attention,” Olivia says.

The room stays silent after.