Explaining the Truth

“Cause you’re mine.”

The hell is that supposed to even mean?! He acts like he owns me or something despite that being the first thing he has ever said to me. Speaking of firsts, I can actually see him now. I got to tell you, he certainly looks the part. Tall, broody, angry and something I can’t name. The fact I can’t name what it is bugs me to no end. Anyways, can he read my mind or some shit? How did he know what I was thinking? And even then, he still didn’t answer my question. How can I be his when he don’t know anything about me? Why is he so obsessed with me?

“You really are something else aren’t you? Didn’t you get told about me and my people by those elders or whatever you call ‘em?”

What are they supposed to tell us and how does he keep doing that?!!!! Might as well ask the bugger.

“How do you know what I’m thinking if I ain’t said anything to you?”

The way he smirked when I said that, I want to punch him so bad right now.

“Simple. If you don’t say anything them I won’t know but cause you love to think out loud it’s fairly easy to know what you think.”

Damn. Didn’t expect that. Thought I stopped saying what I think randomly anyway. Regardless, dude still hasn’t told me his name or anything really. What am I supposed to think when a stranger tells me I belong to him?

“Peter. Peter Black. Now what’s your name?”

Is that really all it took? Ok then.

“Felicity. Felicity Riley. Now what do you mean by I should know of you and that I’m yours? I at least deserve an explanation for all this if I’m being kept here for any amount of time.”

“Very well. The people outside your village whom you have met are called spirit-shifters. These are people who have the ability to physically shift between their spirit animal and their humane form. No the transformation is not painful like most would portray it to be, it is merely a tingle before you are walking on the legs of your other side. The more primal or instinctual side if you will. I would like to apologise for how I have treated you these last days. Whilst being the same person we have our own minds and decisions. The tiger that you have seen is in fact not called Tigerman but Jayden. Everyone is made in halves. So the other half is known as a soulmate, the perfect fit to you. We spirit-shifters can find our soulmate through either scent, by meeting them or just by making eye contact. Jayden recognises you as our soulmate and saw fit to not only keep you as close as possible, but also bring you back to our territory before even considering switching to our human form. As far as he was concerned we were outside with very few pack-mates causing him to see everything as a threat to you. I understand that this isn’t ideal for you and is no doubt confusing but I would like to request you use one of the three bedrooms in this apartment rather than sleeping elsewhere. Again I apologise for the inconvenience it’s just so me and Jayden can know you are safe and not in danger. Feel free to ask any questions you wish.”

Wait hold up. The old wife tales from my childhood are real and I’m the soulmate to a spirit-shifter? Yeah I’m going to have a few questions.

“First off I thought only spirit-shifters could be the soulmate of a spirit-shifter as that connection goes two way and also why do you speak about Jayden as though he is someone else entirely rather than just another part of you? And finally, what does this mean in terms of my future? What’ll happen to me here?”

“Very understandable and reasonable questions. Anyone can be soulmate with anyone. It’s just more common amongst spirit-shifters to be with each other. The connection dies go both ways it’ll just take longer to form for you due to being human. Jayden is both someone else altogether but also another part of myself. He is a physical representation of what kind of person I am as well as a base for my more primal instincts to take place. Now what this means for your future is up to you. You can decide if you wish to stay and see where things go with the bond. You can reject the bond here and now yet stay anyway as a pack-member. The other option is to reject the bond and I’ll have some of my own return you to your village. Take your time and think it through. I won’t be upset or mad no matter what you chose. I just ask you don’t rush the decision.”

Wow. Didn’t actually expect to get a proper answer but holy damn. It is a pretty tame request if I’m being honest. To take my time deciding I mean. It’s not as though he has hurt me or anything. Objectively speaking he has done the exact opposite. I don’t see why I would wish to return to that place but then again, I have no idea what to think if having someone made specifically to be with and care for me. Guess we will have to see how this goes. Although, it can’t be anything happening by his rules alone. I will be placing my own conditions in this too. I don’t want to be kept locked away in here for one. I would like to meet other people and have the chance to make friends. No touching without permission. Only contact will be cuddling (or any form of cuddles) or linking arms together. No sleeping in the same bed should we share a room at any point, marriage or their alternative of such a bond comes first. Anything else? Can’t think of any off the top of my head but unless he has his own to add in which case I’ll need to ask him, I feel like we may just get on.

“They sound fine. The only condition I would add would be movie night or something similar between just us once a week to get to know each other or get used to being around each other.”

Fine by me.

“I get first pick on movie tonight then.”