I felt uncomfortable and wanted to go to where Lynn was. I had been left alone with her parents and I wasn't sure how to feel about that. They were mundane, it was clear to me but they were... off. I don't think it helped any because I was completely and utterly lost by what they had been saying to Lynn. I felt like there were two distinct languages, one for her mother, and one for her father. I wasn't sure because I hadn't been exposed to the different dialects of the world. I was lost and I didn't like being lost.

"You like it?" Her mother gestured to my plate and I gave a nod. It was quite delicious and the meal made me feel like I had bonded with Lynn over the strange little dinner. Her feeding me, catering to my meal, and being alert of what I didn't care for and what I really liked. "You are a good man, Bastian." She said it firmly and I swallowed hard. I didn't feel like a good person.

"You know..." I swallowed again, setting my nearly empty plate on the small table. "You know I took her... right?" I didn't want them to have this skewed version of me in their heads. I didn't want them to think that I was this hero because I wasn't. Guilt settled like a pit in my stomach. I didn't regret what I did but I did feel guilt for it because it hurt her.

"Oh yes." Her mother nodded rapidly. "Kidnapped her, held her hostage, then saved her life. Yes we know." She gave me a soft smile. "I am blessed with the knowing. Some might call it a curse but how is shaping the future a curse? It is a blessing to know and to help shape the world to be better than what it was." She folded her hands in her lap as she looked at me, tilting her head as she did so. I glanced between her and her husband. He was still eating, using his chopsticks to take bits from each dish.

He must have sensed my gaze because he glanced at me, halting in his movement of putting what looked to be a ball of rice into his mouth. "We understand and we know." He set his bite down onto his small plate. "It matters not how she came to be in your care. What matters is that we know you will be with her from now until she passes. You will take care of her every moment and supply her with endless love." He said it firmly before he turned back to his food and I wasn't quite sure of how to respond to that.

"I would like to say your path will be an easy one but there will be bumps and twists and turns but you two will be happy. You will carve your spot out in the world together." Her mother nodded slowly before her dark eyes landed on me. "She will be upset but I warned her that her path would break her heart. You two will be happy, just keep that in mind when she scolds you." She smiled at me once more before saying something in that foreign language to her husband as he continued eating.

He nodded before gesturing to several dishes and she picked them up before carrying them out of the room. Once she was gone he looked around with a conspiratorial edge. "You want some sake?" He pulled out two small glasses and an unlabelled bottle from underneath the table.

"Papa!" Lynn's angry voice floated into the room and her father chuckled but poured me a glass anyway before saying something rapid in a different language that had Lynn making a loud sound of irritation.

"Drink it quick before she starts complaining." He said the words in a hushed low tone, his eyes dancing with mischief as he held out one of the small glasses, filled to the brim with the clear drink. I took it, the smell of alcohol burned my nose but he took his drink and downed it nearly immediately. I didn't want to be looked down upon so I took the shot. It burned all the way down and I wasn't expecting it. I coughed rapidly, setting the glass down as my eyes watered.

"Stupid idiot!" Lynn's voice was sharp as I thumped my chest, covering my mouth as I continued to cough at the burn. "Sake is a potent rice wine, don't let him goad you into a drinking contest." Her voice was sharp and her father waved his hand in the direction she was.

"That does not sound like meditating, Lynn chan!" At the words she gave another sound of disgust but fell silent. Her father gave me another sly look before shaking the bottle. "Another one?" He looked excited and I glanced towards where Lynn had gone, the burn of the alcohol was slowly seeping to a warmth. I gave a nod and held out the small cup towards him. He pressed his finger to his mouth and shushed me as he poured me a glass before pouring himself some.

I matched him when he took his drink and he chuckled before holding out the bottle. I let him pour me another one and we took another drink. The burn wasn't nearly as bad as it had been at first and I was actually enjoying myself. Her mother came in and set down a tray with a ceramic tea pot and some cups before she snagged the bottle from his hand. "No. Drink some tea." She gave us a warning look as she pointed at us both. She left the room and Lynn's father chuckled.

"Such controlling women we have." He winked at me, chuckling heartily to himself before he turned the tea pot and poured two cups. He held one out to me with two hands and I took it with a thank you and a nod. The small cup was warm and didn't have a handle. It was strange for me but I pushed it all away, watching him carefully as he used both hands to bring the cup up to his mouth to take a drink. I mimicked him, wanting to do it properly.

We sat in silence for a few minutes, slowly sipping at the tea before he set his cup down and leaned backwards. He spoke rapidly in that different language and there was a returning sentence from his wife before he looked back at me. "Let's get you to my Reiki room." He gracefully stood up from his position and I struggled to get to my feet. My leg started its slow ache and I winced as I slowly limped after him. We weren't walking for long before he opened a door and gestured for me to enter.

The space had a calming energy to it and relaxing music was playing. I spotted Lynn sitting with her legs crossed on the far side of the room and I relaxed at her presence. It had been like an unbearable itch not being allowed to see her. I didn't want to be separated from her, it made my wolf agitated and me anxious. We were afraid that if she was out of our sight, she would disappear or something terrible would happen to her. There was an inherent need within us both to make sure she was safe and protected at all times.

It was why we were starting to slowly get agitated that we didn't have a place we could take here where she would be safe. We couldn't stay with the pack, Lynn made it perfectly clear that she wasn't going to stay there. There was a part of me that wanted to ignore her disagreements and take her back anyway but a bigger part of me didn't want to force her into that situation. Her comfort mattered to me more than anything at the moment because I felt our bond was tentative and fragile and I didn't want to do anything that would ruin our small start.

"Up onto the table." Her father patted the strange looking table that stood almost as the focal point to the room. I moved over and winced as I got onto the table. I looked at him from my position on the edge and he shook his head. "Lay down, my boy." He moved around the table, grasping my shoulders and guiding me to lay down. I felt very vulnerable and uncomfortable as he moved around me.

Lynn said something rapidly in that language she had been using before and her father responded in a chiding tone as he waved his hand over his shoulder. "Just relax, Bastian chan. Close your eyes." It was difficult for me to do as he requested but I forced myself to do it despite my instincts tearing at me about letting myself be vulnerable. "It will feel strange to you but just let it be." I could feel his hands pass over my face and my shoulders. He wasn't touching me but I could feel the energy pulsating against me and I wanted to move away and I tensed up, trying hard to force myself to stay put but it was growing harder with each passing moment.

"Change your tactic, papa, he wants to bolt." Lynn's voice was inherently calming to me, it allowed my muscles to relax as long as her voice rolled over me as it did.

"Help me then, Lynn chan." Her father's voice was low and I could feel his hands over my leg and I gritted my teeth at the icy prickling that I felt as he did so. The energy was confusing for both me and my wolf. We weren't sure of how to respond to it and I shifted uncomfortably. A warm hand touched my shoulder and I stilled immediately, my eyes cracking open to see Lynn as she smoothed her hand down my arm.

"He's like an animal, papa, gentle." She lifted her hands and her energy was warm and soothing against my skin. My wolf stilled and watched her intently, his eyes scanning her, memorizing everything about her. I couldn't focus on anything as she moved her hands over my chest in soft movements, her energy lulling me into a near stupor. I wasn't sure how long they both worked on me but I knew it was a while. I had been distracted by Lynn.

There was an intensity of her that I hadn't been expecting, everything about our bond was borderline soft and gentle but now I was being shown a side of our bond that had an intense vibrancy to it. I could feel her spirit next to mine more keenly than I ever had with Amanda, there was the slight guilt that went along with it but I brushed it off. Mene had given Lynn to me and Amanda was content with death. I was allowed to be happy with Lynn, to understand and explore the bond I had with her. I couldn't help myself and reached out with my hand, the backs of my fingers brushing her hip. She brushed my hand away with a warning look as she continued her movements and her energy work.

Her father's energy grew a bit sharper on my thigh and my chest rumbled. Lynn shushed me before she rested her hands on my chest. "Remember what I said." She murmured the words to me as she slowly moved her hands over my shirt, my skin tingling and nerves throbbing from the energy she was using. I shuddered underneath the touch, unable to stop how my blood heated at her touch.

My thigh ached deep within as her father muttered under his breath and actually grasped my leg. He massaged it, rubbing it between his hands. "Lots of burden in here, my boy. Dark emotions have twisted the muscles and cling to the bone." He tsked me lightly as he continued to massage the limb. I round my teeth together, my hands tightening into fists at the pain it caused. "Need a lot more work to help work through it but we aren't getting much done now with Lynn chan distracting you as she is." He gave a low chuckle that had Lynn muttering in that foreign language underneath her breath towards him.

"Oh hush, child. He is your husband, no need to be so modest." He let me go, patting my leg as he gave another chuckle. "Take him to bed. He is going to need to sleep off the remnants of the healing." He moved around me, coming up to my head and smiling down at me. "We shall do another session tomorrow, yes?" He helped me to sitting and my head spun and my body felt off kilter.

"Don't fall over." Lynn grabbed my shoulders from behind as I swayed in my spot. I rubbed at my face and held the edge of the strange bed tightly until the dizziness passed.

Her father patted my shoulder. "I am going to enjoy some tea with my o mae. I will leave you two to get settled." He walked away and I rubbed at my face again as I let out a small sigh. I wasn't sure how I felt. My entire body felt weird and charged.

"Come on." Lynn moved around table and grabbed my arm, tugged me gently so I would slide off the table and to my feet. I winced as I settled on my leg and she gave me a look, tilting her head. "Does it feel better?" Her gaze met mine and I stared into her dark eyes, feeling comforted by her presence and her entire being. "Bastian." She broke the gaze as she pointed to my leg. "Does it feel better?"

I shook my leg slightly and shrugged. "Can't tell. I feel weird." I felt very strange, lightheaded with the need to lie down and sleep. Exhaustion was starting to ride me hard and I felt my eyelids droop.

"Don't fall over!" She said it hastily as she wrapped an arm around my waist and I leaned against her, my arm going around her shoulders "Of course papa wanders off before you crash." She scoffed as she lead me out of the room and down the hall. I blinked slowly, my eyes felt gritty and dry. I yawned wide and rather loud.

"Fall asleep on the bed, Bastian chan, not in the hall!" Her father's voice was teasing and my cheeks heated. Lynn shouted out something in that language as she turned me into a new room.

I looked around and I felt a small grin make its way onto my face at the boy band posters on the wall. I had never thought she would have been the type to rock out to Backstreet Boys but here was my proof. "Don't you dare laugh. I haven't updated the decor in like fifteen years." She gave a small grunt as she lead me to the bed and nearly dropped me on it. Her cheeks were slightly pink as she waved at me. "Get into the bed, I'm not lugging you around anymore." I watched her as I laid down, moving onto my side and propping myself up on my elbow as she hurried around the room, grabbing random objects and shoving them into dresser drawers.

She looked so cute when she was flustered, I just wanted to hold her tightly in my arms and kiss all over her face until she laughed. I didn't understand how someone could be so perfect while acting like she was. Comparisons with Amanda floated through my mind but I brushed them all away. Lynn was Lynn and Amanda was Amanda, they were two different females and needed to be treated as such.

"Contrary to popular belief, women generally don't like it when men stare intently at them." Lynn's voice was clipped as she moved over to the door and shut it.

"Its hard not to stare. You are very beautiful." I smiled wide at her as she looked over at me with a raised eyebrow. "Come here." I gestured for her to come closer and she crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm not going to do anything." I was too tired to do anything, I just wanted her close.

She gave a huff but moved closer, sitting on the edge of the bed. "What?" She glowered at me and I rested my chin in my hand as I traced her features with my eyes.

"You are stunningly beautiful." I said it softly and despite the slight flush her cheeks got she gave another huff.

"I already know that. Now what?" She stressed the word and I narrowed my eyes, wondering what I could get away with if I asked her nicely.

"Can I have a kiss?" At the question she reared back and her face twisted up with anger.

"And have another mistake happen? Not fucking likely." She once again crossed her arms over her chest and turned her head as she refused to look at me. I didn't mind the rejection as much because she didn't put space between us.

"I can't do anything. Too tired. Just a kiss." I just wanted the taste of her on my lips, just wanted the reminder that she was there and okay and safe. As much as I wanted to have sex with her again, I was too tired and I just wanted the physical comfort of her being there.

I watched her for a few moments before she slowly turned her head. "You are a right dick, you know that?" The words came out on an agitated sigh.

"Why?" I tilted my head at her, fighting back the exhaustion that made me want to fall asleep within the next two minutes.

"Because I shouldn't want to kiss you." She looked at me, perturbed look on her face as she did so.

I wasn't going to lie, I loved the thought that she was wanting to have that contact with me. It made me even feel a bit smug. "It's okay, it's just the bond." I knew it was more than likely working on her like it was on me.

"See, that's just it. I don't understand what that is." She ran her hand through her hair and bunched it in her hands in a motion that let me know she was confused and lost. I couldn't blame her for that, she had no basis for what was going on between us. I, at least, had the intimate knowledge of what the bond was and how it worked.

"It's a connection, something between us that brings us together and urges us to be close. It is emotions and urges, sometimes it feels like instinct." I said it carefully, trying to explain it how she would be able to understand.

"What do you do with it?" She looked at me intently, as if I could help her solve all of the issues she had with the bond but knew it was different for each person. How she experienced the bond was different from how I experienced it. I couldn't tell her what to do besides accept it, nothing else I could give her would truly help her. Every bond was different and so was everyone's reaction to it.

"You have to accept it." There was nothing else you could do. You simply had to accept it was there and move on from there. It was all I could tell her. "It won't go away, it won't leave. You have to accept that it's there and move on." I watched her ad she worried her bottom lip between her teeth.

"So I just have to accept this? You and I being together?" She sounded a bit defeated but I had to nod, despite how I knew it would make her feel. "There is no choice." Her shoulders slumped and I reached out and brushed my hand against her lower back.

"There never is. Shifters are never truly given a choice. We learn to accept that very early on. Our lives are out of our control, nothing we truly do makes a difference I have found." It was just the way things were. Sure we could pretend we had choice but everyone was given a position in life and they could rarely leave it, you were given some choice of mate but had to pick the one that was best suited for your position in life. It felt like a script one had to stick to from the moment they were born to when they died.

"You made a difference." She said it quietly as she looked me over and I gave a lazy shrug, my eyelids growing too heavy as they slid closed.

"That's because Mene destroyed my script, the perfectly organized plan I was supposed to follow. She deviated and so did I. I had no choice in that either." I gave another yawn, feeling like I wanted to lie down completely and just sleep. "I had no choice in you being my mate, I had no choice in becoming limp, in losing Amanda. I can, however, choose to accept you and all that this bond holds. So I accept it and anything that may come from that." My words felt a bit slurred but I no longer cared. I just wanted sleep at the moment.

"Fine then." Lynn's voice had a peculiar edge to it that had me wanting to open my eyes but she shoved my shoulder, causing me to roll onto my back.

"No need to be violent." I grimaced with annoyance as I cracked my eyes open. She shifted on the bed, straddling my waist once more. My hands fell to her hips as I blinked in surprise. I wasn't going to question her sudden change of heart. I quite enjoyed the position she was in.

She bent down and kissed me. It was unhurried and soft, like a gentle exploration rather than the fiery heat that our previous ones had been. I flexed my hands on her hips, trying hard to fight the exhaustion off. I wanted to stay with her, to experience this with her. She pulled back and looked at me, her fingers digging into my chest before she bent down again, her hands running through my hair as she kissed me once more.

There was more heat to this one, more need, but it still remained languid almost, as if she were savouring the connection that I knew she must have felt. It would have been a settling of the bond within her, like an itch that had finally gone away. She shifted over me, one of her hands moving to brush along the skin of my collarbone as her fingers dipped underneath the collar of my shirt.

I nipped at her bottom lip in reprimand. "Can't do much about that, Lynn." My voice was low and husky between us and she gave a sharp noise of irritation.

"That's the point, idiot." She kissed me again, silencing me and making my brain go quiet as all thoughts ceased. They only returned when the bedroom door was flung open and Lynn yanked back from me with a scathing set of words I couldn't understand falling from her mouth. All I could catch was she was speaking to her mother.

I rolled my head on the bed to look at the female and she waved her hand at Lynn before winking at me. "So cranky she is." She said it in such a way that I knew Lynn would be agitated and she didn't disappoint as she gave another shard sound of irritation low in her throat.

"What do you want?" Lynn made no moves to get off me and my cheeks flushed slightly as her mother moved around the room, quickly and carefully putting everything Lynn hidden away, back in its rightful place.

"Tomorrow, you and Bastian are to head to Altia." She gave a flippant gesture with her hand over her shoulder as she carefully turned each object as if to get it to sit exactly had it had been before.

"Why?" Lynn hissed the word out, her hands gripping my shirt tightly. I honestly doubted I would be able to retain much of the conversation as my brain was torn between sleep and arousal. A fact Lynn was not helping as she shifted over me.

"They will help explain what there is between you. It will do you some good to understand what you are now living, chicken." Her mother wagged a finger in our direction. "It will help your muddy energy to understand what is going on." She trained her eyes on me. "And it will help you know where you must go from here. We all have a path in this life and Altia will tell you where yours will lead." She pointed at me before she breezed from the room, closing the door behind her.

"Of course she would need to interrupt." Lynn muttered the words darkly underneath her breath before she looked down at me. She seemed to study my face intently and I couldn't help how low my eyelids were dropping. "Fine, you need sleep." She got off me with a huff before tossing some blankets over me haphazardly. I reached for her, snagging the sleeve of her shirt. "What?" The question was asked harshly but I didn't have the energy to care as the exhaustion seemed to swirl around me even more.

"Stay with me." I muttered it out and there was a faint pause before she made a small noise in her throat.

"Fine, but just until you fall asleep." She settled on the bed beside me, not protesting when I rolled over and pulled her close, tucking her into my arms and to my chest. I buried my face into her hair, inhaling her warmly spiced scent and letting out a deep but happy sigh. Lynn might not have chosen me either but her staying with me was letting me now that she was slowly coming to terms with accepting me anyway. And for that fact, I couldn't help but fall asleep with a small smile on my face.