Chapter 36

My bedroom is plain and looking at it now through a guest"s eyes, it's easy to tell I haven"t lived here long, or made any attempt to settle in. A suitcase still sits inside the door, packed like I was expecting to leave again soon.

"That"s a bit big for a go bag," Tyson comments, setting me down gently on the comforter and pulling a blanket up over my body. Pressing a soft kiss to my forehead, he stands and points out to the hallway. "Think Noah would mind me borrowing something to wear?"

Sitting back up on my elbows, I shake my head, watching his firm ass flex magnificently as he walks into the hallway and down to my son's room to steal some clothes. When he appears again, he looks a little odd in ripped jeans and a hoodie.

"Where are you going?" I ask, looking out the window as the light outside continues to get brighter. Tyson tugs the hood up and the sleeves of the jumper down to cover his hands.

"I'm just going to go and check in with Seth and Lucian. Then I need to apologise to Zoe." Kneeling on the corner of the mattress, he kisses me again, this one filled promise for later.

"Maybe check with Blake first that it's okay. He might still be a bit nervous." That's putting it politely, but Tyson just laughs and points to his neck.

"He knows. He knows there's no way I could even look at her like that now. I'll be back soon. Sleep."

As he steps into the hallway once more, a thought occurs to me. "Tyson!" He sticks his head back in the door, one dark eyebrow raised in question. "Can you… not go out in the sun?"

That seems like a ridiculous question. I've seen him in the sun before. We ran in wolf form; he walked me the entire way from Max's house to his mansion. That doesn't make sense, but then why is he covering his skin?

"It burns me. If it's weak sunlight, or we're moving in and out of the shadows, my wolf can keep up with the healing, but it's too strong today."

My chest tightens, and my heart clenches as I picture him marching through the trees, racing to get home. I didn't understand. Didn't think to question it either. Scrambling up the bed, horrified, I stare at him.

"Are you crazy? So, all that time, when we were walking back to your house, your skin was burning."

Tyson's eyes soften as he feels my concern through the bond.

"Just a little bit. But I didn't want to shift and run. I wanted to see your pretty face." With a wink, he disappears down the corridor.

TYSON: Go to sleep mate. You're going to need it. It's going to be a busy few days

MANDY: So everyone keeps telling me

After a power nap and a quick change, I make it to Max's house before Tyson gets back from his visit with Zoe. Raiden is laying back on the couch, feet up on Matt's knee as she steadfastly refuses to hand over the remote control to the three hulking teenagers stretched out on the living room floor.

"Everyone getting on okay?" I ask, worried about forcing the boys to spend time together so soon. Just because they're close in age, doesn't mean they're automatically going to like each other.

Noah looks at me like I've lost my mind, returning to his story about the time Tyson ripped a vampire head right off in front of him. It's not my favourite memory, but it seems to be helping them bond, as Lucian and Seth nod along.

"Classic Tyson. He loves that move." Worried that Lucian seems to know all about that move, and isn't the least bit surprised, I remind myself to have a word with my mate about toning things down in front of the boys. They still have a lot of maturing to do, although looking at all three of them together, they've each been through something that has forced them to grow up faster than most.

"Where's Tyson?" Matt asks with a wry smile, surprised to see me without my mate.

"With Zoe."

Matt's smile drops immediately. I think he was expecting me to say passed out from a sex-induced coma, not gone to see the woman he's been threatening to kidnap and mate.

"And you're feeling alright with that?" he asks, relaxing a little when he sees that I don't look concerned.

"Absolutely. But if you don't mind, I'd like to borrow your mate for a minute. Girl stuff."

Nodding, he lets go of Raiden's feet and gives her a wink as she stands and leads the way out to the kitchen.

"Girl stuff?" she asks dubiously over her shoulder as she moves to put the kettle on, turning and folding her arms across her slightly rounded belly. I shrug, it's the only failsafe way I know to get a man zoned out of a conversation.

"More like what's it like to be mated to vampire stuff. Is there anything I should be aware of?" It's a bit late now if she tells me anything terrifying, but that's not why I'm asking. "Anything you can tell me about how this is all going to work?"

I'm worried there are other vampire things I should know about that Tyson hasn't told me yet. Like the sun thing. Maybe he really should be sleeping all day and he's only staying awake to keep me company. I want to know what he needs, because I'm not sure he'd tell me himself.

Raiden's eyes light up and she grins. "Well, you know the obvious: blood. Oh, man; that bite…" She fans herself, pulling two mugs down from the shelf and dropping an herbal tea bag in each. "I mean, I guess shark week with a vampire takes on a whole new meaning… watch out for that one. That took me by surprise."

When I cough, almost choking in surprise, Raiden laughs and hands me a mug of steaming tea.

"I meant more in terms of sleeping habits, vampire babies, that kind of thing."

Looking disappointed, she nods and stops tidying the kitchen while she thinks seriously about my question. "Nope. Period sex is the only wisdom I have. Roll with it, it's going to be wild."