Chapter 13
Maya
I stepped into their house and wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly feeling as though everyone was asking for the same god damn thing from me. I decided to take a moment and went up the stairs towards my bedroom and no one followed. Notmybedroom. The bedroom they put my stuff in. I removed my school shoes and went to go put on a pair of leggings and a hoodie with slippers. What? I was a bit of a pleasure seeker. I didn’t bother unpacking my backpack, instead I brought it back downstairs, leaving it by the door.
Marco was already sitting in the formal living space and Atlas was leaning over a laptop with Anani. Sai was watching me and there was almost a nervous vulnerability to it while Ledger handed me a cup of tea. I really didn’t want one. Henry patted the seat next to him and I sat down crossing my legs in front of themselves before breathing in.
“Her father is claiming she was off her medication,” Atlas states, “she’s going to get the help she needs, but I am filing a restraining order.”
Oh yeah.Becky.I lifted a hand to the back of my head and could feel the dry flakes of blood on my scalp. I had to give her this, she knew how to do some damage I suppose. My mom would like her.
A nervous prickle went over my skin, but it didn’t feel like it had just to do with this damn situation. No, instead, it felt larger than that. Felt like a flush was overruling my skin and my center was heating up from my ribcage out. I tightened my hands on my legs as I tried to breathe through it because now was not the time to not feel well.
“Maya,” Marco opened his mouth, and instantly I was talking.
“I really don’t know what you want me to say Marco,” I whispered immediately. I didn’t.
He stilled as everyone watched my expression, tears filling my eyes.
“Maybe this isn’t a good idea,” Henry stated softly.
“We need to know,” Marco stated as frustration built in my chest.
“Why?” I asked for the millionth time.
“Because we are your god damn mates and you come into our town bruised and fucking battered. We need some answers Maya,” Sai snapped out, causing me to growl with frustration.
“You still haven’t even explained what this mate thing is!” I exclaimed sitting forward. “And don’t bullshit me about being just friends, because that’s a lie.”
The room went quiet as Sai rose a brow. “You swore.”
“Yes I did,” I blushed. Sai’s eyes infused with a bit of amusement before flashing dark again.
“We need to explain,” Ledger stated his body next to mine as he intertwined his hand with my own. I fought the urge to pull away because my frustration was misplaced, I was angry that I had to tell them the truth.
I watched as Atlas closed the laptop and Anani spoke, “who wants to explain?”
“Oh my god,” I groaned, “someone please explain.”
Henry snickered and then Marco began talking.
“Alright Maya.” He sat forward and I tried to give my best attention. “We are shifters, dragon shifters, and you are most definitely some type of shifter. One that we’ve narrowed down to two possibilities, but we can talk about that later. The point is, shifters have mates. Mates are your fated partner, or partners, that the part of your soul connected to your animal matches. Once you find them, you stay with them for the rest of your life.”
I swallowed nervously, “that makes sense.”
“Yeah, that was the easier part,” Sai muttered.
Marco frowned slightly. “Maya, you’re our mate. You would have realized it yourself on your eighteenth birthday when it fully sets in, but leaving you in the dark, I understand, is unfair.”
The first thing that hit me was the spark of joy in the center of my chest. Because holy crap. They really weren’t just my friends. Then that was run over by two bulldozers. One of them being the concept that this was fated. So in a way, it was an obligation. They don’t have a choice in how they feel. Secondly, they deserved better and fate was cruel. Fate was cruel for putting someone so damaged with them so perfect.
“All six of you?” I whispered.
Henry nodded cautiously as I nibbled my lip. “And you said this was fated? As in, there really wasn’t a choice on how you would feel about me?”
Everyone seemed to still at that as Atlas spoke, “it’s not like that Maya.”
“But it sort of is,” I whispered.