Braxton growled again. I pinned him with squinty eyes. “Stop that, Braxton Compass, your growling is giving me a headache.” It really wasn’t, but I needed to keep on top of his dominance or he’d smother me.

His fierceness faded under his amusement. I tried to ignore the way his smile heated my insides.

Jonathon cleared his throat. “I’m a little surprised you didn’t end up being true mates.”

Small beads of pain flashed through me as I narrowed my eyes on him. “How do you know we aren’t true mates?”

He turned his head as if the fierceness of my reaction surprised him. “Because you would have told us, and I don’t sense the sort of energy connection which should be bonding you.”

Louis leaned in toward me, his brow wrinkled. “Actually, they are bonded, but it seems to be … there was a problem with the bond.”

A variety of expressions shot across the faces around me. There were a lot of furrowed brows.

Braxton and I took turns explaining what had happened, from my journey to the land of the white mists, and Braxton’s two mate theory. The Compasses registered some recognition. They remembered Jo’s story too.

I growled. “I’m not exactly happy that fate seems to think I’m going to have to make a choice about my mate.” I hadn’t even known at the time that this choice bullshit was going to involve Braxton.

Louis tented his hands in front of him, before leaning into them. “That story from Jo is true,” he finally said. “The bond between you and Braxton will come to fruition in its own time. But there will be a choice and a challenge. Your young bond will be tested.”

“That’s some pretty obscure mumbo jumbo bullshit you are muttering there, sorcerer,” I snapped.

He was unfazed. “When it’s something this rare, and not caused by magic, then obscure is all I got.”

Braxton shook his head, his icy eyes taking in everyone at the table. “It doesn’t matter, Jess and I will weather any obstacle. We are true mates. I will accept nothing less.”

“Yes,” I agreed, but the tendrils of fear which were scooting through my veins indicated I was more worried than I was pretending. I couldn’t imagine anything in this world, or any other, which could make me doubt Braxton. But I hated overconfidence, it made you stupid, blind to what might be coming right at you. I wanted to be smarter than that. Especially if the choice I’d have to make could save or destroy the entire supernatural race.

We were all distracted as food landed in front of us. I was ecstatic that it seemed to be share platters, a mix of seafood, pasta, and lots of breads. I was too busy for the next little while to talk, but eventually I noticed that Cardia was not here.