Page 79 of Rhuyin

I forced my neck to bob in what I could only hope he would understand was a nod.

He stroked my fur, and I found myself ducking my head and nuzzling his hand. He smelled—amazing. Like family. Like home.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered, his eyes filled with wonder. I kept my eyes on his face, unwilling to lose even a word of what he was saying.

“I heard…I heard that you had Bonded with someone, but I had no idea it would be like this for you,” he said, gesturing toward me.

I stopped, confusion rushing through me. Bonded? Me? I hadn’t bonded with anyone. I felt my tail twitch. I had atail. I started to turn to investigate it, overwhelmed by the sensory input I was experiencing, but forced myself to stop. I looked back at him, struggling to stay focused.Bonded. He thought I hadBondedwith someone?

I realized then I needed to be able to speak to him.Now. With hardly a thought, I was human again, and Luke was stumbling backward, thrusting my clothes at me and turning away, blushing furiously.

“I’m not,” I said hurriedly, pulling my clothes on as quickly as possible.

I saw his jaw move but couldn’t hear anything of course. It seemed like the strange vibration that allowed me to understand him only worked if we were touching, so I reached out and laid my hand on his arm.

“I’m not. I’m not Bonded,” I said.

He turned and looked at me.

“But—Deliah said—Dag said you hadn’t been home, and when you disappeared, he thought…”

I shook my head.

“I was avoiding Dag. I had some…things…I needed to work out. I heardyouhad Bonded with someone. I saw you with him at the Bonding ceremony. That’s why I knew something was wrong with Kopanos, I think. You—yousmellBonded.”

He flushed, then chuckled. “I didn’t realize there was a smell. No, not me. I don’t think I’m Bonding material.”

“Well, youweremeeting several handsome young Somas this evening.”

“Andoneself-important asshole,” Luke added.

“How did Kopanos even think he had a chance with you?” I asked in amazement, embarrassed a moment later when I realized I spoke aloud. “Polemos would have had his head.”

Luke shrugged.

“He shook my hand and there was— well, it wasn’t as strong a reaction as it was withyou, but it was certainly something painful. One of the Somas had to heal my hand of the burns.”

“So, you’renotBonded,” I repeated dumbly.

He shook his head.

“Andyou’renot Bonded?” he asked me.

I shook my head.

“Would—” Luke paused. I saw him seem to gather his courage, then he looked me square in the eyes. “Would you be interested—in seeing wherethisgoes?”

I held my breath, my heart racing as I nodded excitedly.

He squeezed my hand, and it was only then I realized our hands were clasped.

A smile grew on my face as I looked into his beautiful eyes, tears welling at the sense of belonging that was beginning to flow through me.

Luke…felt like home.

Chapter 24

Luke