Evelyn

The so-called Bro-Cave was a large game room with three different tv setups and multiple game systems. There was also a pool table, a foosball table, an indoor basketball game, and an expensive computer setup.

Snort…It was totally a nerd cave….

Asher called Shawn, and the four of us had a blast. I fell asleep on the couch watching the boys kill zombies on Call Of Duty.

When I woke up, I was still on the couch, but I was being cocooned to death by a sleeping giant with his arms around me…I tried to wiggle myself free, but the asshole locked his elbows, so I wasn't going anywhere. I froze when his hand moved, snaking its way under my dress and making me gasp when his hand caressed the sensitive skin of my stomach.

My face turned red like a tomato when I felt something hard against my lower back.

"Little Bird," he said in a sleepy voice, "If you don't stop wiggling your ass, I'm going to explode."

Feeling naughty, I wiggled my hips again, "Hmm, Little Bird, you're playing with fire." He warned, nipping at my ear.

"Clay, we don't have to have sex, but I want to try something more," I explained.

"Are you sure?" He asked

I nodded, "Yes."

"Hmm, okay. But if you start to feel uncomfortable, just tell me, and I will stop." He explained, kissing the exposed skin of my neck as his hand slid down my stomach.

When we got to school on Monday, my stomach sank when everyone pointed and stared at Clay and me. When I saw Penny at my locker, I knew something terrible had happened.

"You need to see this," she said, holding out her phone. I gasped when she showed me a video of Clay and me on my father's couch, while Clay had his hand in my underwear making me moan.

Clay sounded like an angry thunderstorm when a deep rumbling growl rolled from his chest. His hands were clenched into fists as he turned and marched down the hallway.

I hurried after him as he stalked through the crowd. When he found Shawn, he grabbed him by the front of his shirt, pinning him against the wall.

"I know it was you," Clay growled through clenched teeth, "Asher would never post something like that."

Shawn bared his teeth, then said, "Ever since she walked into town, you have completely ignored the rest of us."

Clay growled as he leaned forward so he was nose to nose with Shawn, "She's my mate, dumbass. Did I not call you last night to invite you to hang out with us? I learned yesterday that she is my true mate; this is how you react!"

Asher hurried down the hall, "Dude, you need to calm your shit before you shift in front of all these people," Clay growled, pushing him away.

Feeling the need to calm him, I moved to where Clay could see me before placing my hand on his arm. "You need to calm down, fuzzy butt."

Shawn crumbled to the ground as Clay let go of his shirt, "I can't be friends with you anymore, Shawn. I will never trust someone who goes after my mate."

Clay turned to me, running a shaky hand through his hair, "I'm sorry, Little Bird" I looked into his big eyes, thankful he was back to normal, then wrapped my arms around his waist.

The school week passed quickly, and today was Saturday. Penny, Tommy, and I decided to go to a mall that was an hour's drive. I had some money saved from the last job that I planned on using to buy a dress.

After walking around for an hour, I finally found the right dress. It was a strapless navy blue with a heart-shaped bodice decorated with white lace and pearls. The dress fell to my knees but flared in the back.

I was looking around the jewelry store when my chest felt tight, and my face grew clammy as I became light-headed. I jumped when my phone rang; I answered it to find it was Clay.

"Hey, Little Bird, when will you be home?" He asked, sounding breathless.

"We should be leaving soon." I said, "Clay, I have a panic attack."

"I feel it too; it's part of the soul bond. My Papa explained that it would happen if we were separated for an extended time before our bonding was completed. " He explained,

"How do we complete the bond?" I asked

I heard him sigh and visualized him running a hand through his hair. "The bond will grow stronger the more we are around each other, but to complete the bond, we will have to go through a bonding ritual, then *cough*… consummate.. *cough*. It's kind of like a wedding ceremony."

Consummate?

… Oh …

My face grew warm when I realized what he was talking about.

"Oh, I see…." I couldn't think of anything else to say…

" Yeah… I was hoping to wait until we turned 18, but the Great Spirits seem to have a different idea.."

"I think these Great Spirits and I need to have a talk…." I mumbled

"Let me know when you get home, and I will be there in my Guardian form,," he said before ending the call.