“Of course.”
Silver reaches out and touches the mark. Goldilocks just smiles.
“The wedding will be wonderful, but the ceremony is just for our non-shifter relatives and friends,” she says.
“Non-shifter?”
“I’m adopted,” Goldilocks says. “So pretty much everyone in my family is human. This will be a good time for them to visit Claw Valley and to have a chance to see what my new life is like.”
“That’s very sweet.”
“What about you? What was your mating ceremony like? Did you have one?”
“Nope,” Silver laughs. She tugs her shirt to the side and once more, I find myself peeking. I shouldn’t because it’s weird and rude and a little bit awkward, but I’m just so damn curious. They’re so proud of these marks. They’re showing them off and getting excited with one another and I...well, I want to show mine off, too.
I know I need to get it removed. I know that this thing between Robert and I can’t possibly work, but when he claimed me, before he opened his mouth, I felt...
Powerful.
That’s how Goldilocks and Silver seem to feel.
Strong.
Brave.
At peace.
“We couldn’t wait,” Silver continues. “Jeremy and I have been together a very long time now.”
“How long?”
“More years than I feel like counting at this moment,” she laughs. “At least twenty.”
“And you’re just as in love now as you were then.”
“Probably more, to be honest.”
“More in love now?”
Silver nods. How could that even be possible? Isn’t dating supposed to be the highlight of your romantic life? Isn’t it all downhill from here?
“We know each other so much better,” she says. “We’re closer than we’ve ever been.”
“And you have kids.”
“True, but that brings its own problems. The thing about raising kids is that if you and your partner aren’t in unison, and you aren’t in agreement, then it’s going to be hard.”
“Well, for what it’s worth,” Goldilocks reaches for her drink and brings it to her lips. She sips it and sighs with contentment. “I think you’re a wonderful couple.”
“It wasn’t always easy.”
“Did you fight a lot? You know, when you first got together?”
“Sometimes.”
“I think that’s normal, though, right?”
“It’s normal, but you still have to work through it. The mating bond is strong, but it’s not perfect. Wouldn’t you agree, my newly-mated friend?”