25. Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Five

J asmine

I wish we could stay in bed together for days, enjoying the pleasures of the flesh, getting to know each other better, but Bold is serious about organizing his team to comb the streets, looking for someone with a grudge against Wright or the corporation.

We were up most of the night last night finding new and delicious ways we fit together, knotting again in the process. Now Bold is getting ready to attend a meeting he called with all the Warriors downstairs.

While he's in the shower, I call my dad to give him an update on my relationship status while omitting the I-almost-got-killed-in-the-parking-garage bit of info.

"I'm crazy in love with him, Dad," I interject when his part of the conversation goes silent after the big reveal.

"I'm his, forever, and he's mine. We're soulbound."

When his end is silent, I begin to panic.

"Dad? The horse has already left the barn, so to speak, but does your silence indicate disapproval?"

"No, honey. No. I like the guy. He's taken good care of you. It's just…"

I wish we were having the conversation over Facetime. I'd be able to read him better.

"It's just that I'm seeing your future as though I have a crystal ball. It's going to be more difficult than if you marry someone of your own kind."

"I get it."

"Different species. Those fucking Purists…"

This shocks me. I could count on one hand the number of times I've heard my father swear.

"Although I put him up in the granny pod, that was only temporary. You know it's illegal for Others to live outside the Zone except briefly, and only for employment purposes. You were raised in a mansion. Are you prepared to live in the Zone?"

It's a fair question. To be honest, I haven't given it a lot of thought. But the answer slams into me with the force of a hurricane.

"Dad, I lived at Nature's Edge facilities for almost three years under terrible conditions. I've only told you bits and pieces for a reason. It would kill a part of your soul to know the whole truth. Suffice it to say that it was heinous, soul-crushing. I survived. No, not just survived. I got help and got stronger so I can help others."

I pause only long enough to see if he will interrupt me, but he's listening.

"Here I have a male who will love me to his dying breath. And his pack? They've been so welcoming. It's like the tightest family here. When things die down, I want you to come meet them. I'll be fine, Dad. More than fine."

Bold saunters out of the bathroom, working his hair and ruff with a towel. He lifts one eyebrow wondering why I'm on the phone, yet not saying a word. I answer him with a smile, letting him know it's all good.

"Your mom would be so proud of you." Dad's voice is choked with emotion.

Wow, that hit me right in the chest.

"And I am, too, Jazz. So proud. I'll let you go. I imagine you have some honeymooning to do. When the dust settles, I want to spend more time with this amazing male of yours."

"Thanks, Dad."

"And, Jazz? I love you. And tell Bold you both have my blessing."

My dad is great. I've known that, but the way he took this in stride just makes me love him even more.

"Dad gives you his blessing," I tell Bold after I hang up.

His relief is palpable, although I hadn't known he was worried about it. Now, if we could just get this target off my back, I'd be the happiest woman on the planet.

Soon we're downstairs in the room with all the couches. They've been rearranged into an approximation of a circle. Before Bold can launch into a discussion of the mission to find someone who has dirt on Wright, the pack has some less-than-gentle ribbing for both of us.

"Was there an earthquake last night?" Stealth asks innocently. "I felt the building rocking."

"Yeah, must have been. I think the epicenter was the third floor." This is Fang, who has a strawberry speared on each claw and is eating them one by one as he sits back to watch the action.

"And… I think we have a ghost." This is Dare. "I heard the most eerie and persistent moaning."

Okay, the other comments could be about Bold or me. This? This is all me. By the temperature of my cheeks, I imagine they're beet red.

Bold comes to my rescue by doing a more than passable imitation of my pleasure moans, then admitting, "Sorry, guys. That was me. I was… eating something delicious."

The conversation breaks down from there, with everyone having so much fun I somehow lose my inhibitions. So this is what it's like to be accepted by the pack? I guess a little embarrassment comes with the territory.

"Hey, everyone, I'd like to introduce my new mate, Jasmine Sinclair."

I turn a little sideways and pull the collar of my shirt down to show everyone his mating bite. It's partially healed over, but the four puncture marks are still bright red. I smile with pride, but before any of them can react, he continues. "She's my soulbound."

The ribbing disappears as the atmosphere becomes solemn. Every male in the room freezes as the impact and importance of the statement sinks in.

"A soulbound."

"With a human female."

"Congrats, Bold."

The well wishes are heartfelt and sincere. They're giving me unanimous approval.

"I don't know about the rest of you," Bold says, "but many times over the years, I've cursed the woman who processed me shortly after we arrived on Earth. She gave me her own last name. Bold Dubois. I've always hated it. From here out, I'd like to be known as Bold Sinclair."

"Great idea," Fury calls out.

"Solid!" says Fang.

I'm paralyzed, unable for a moment to absorb this. Human men just don't take their wives' names. It's such a big step and Bold did it as though it was nothing.

"Don't look so surprised, mate," he murmurs in my ear. "You'll be part of my pack and I'll be part of yours."

He stands tall, looks out over the room, and his demeanor changes as he scowls, "Shit! I need to swear you all to secrecy until I tell Grandmother. Promise me! She'll kill me if she finds out she wasn't the first to know."

The room bursts into laughter. Someone in the back starts another round of congratulations, and then Bold gets on with his briefing.

When I told my dad I'd have a tight family here, I didn't know the half of it.