Page 93 of Feral

His question takes me by surprise. “My birthday?”

“I should know that. Mine is next month, on the fifth.”

“Vampires don’t really celebrate them. When there is no end, there’s no reason to count the years.”

His eyes open and his brow creases. “You don’t celebrate them? Ever?”

“No. Even when I was mortal, it wasn’t something acknowledged. It was a different time back then. I had work to do.”

He makes a disgruntled noise. “You’ve never had a party or a cake or a sleepover?”

“A sleepover?”

“Friends spending the night at your house?”

“No, darling. It’s okay though. Birthdays aren’t important.”

“They are to me. Do you remember when you were born?”

“Hmm.” I search my memory. “I believe it was the fall. Harvest was upon us. Maybe October?”

“October is a good month. You seem like a scorpio. What about October twenty-fifth?”

“Sure. What do you mean by scorpio?”

“Your zodiac sign. I’m a taurus, which means we’re compatible. Obviously.”

“Whatever you like, darling.”

“Good.” He cuddles close to me. “Don’t think I won’t remember your birthday. I will.” His voice grows softer as his eyes close again. “We’ll have a party and cake and blood and sex. Lots of blood and sex.”

Chuckling, I kiss his cheek. “Sounds good to me.”

“Am I strong like you now?”

“Very much so. Bulletproof.”

His smile is drooping, but I can feel the happiness radiating from him. “We’re gonna have so much fun together, aren’t we?”

“Absolutely.”

“So sleepy.”

“I’ll see you in the morning, love.”

Yannis nods, drifting off into much needed sleep. I stay close, watching him and soaking in this newfound feeling of contentment and satisfaction. I chased these feelings most of my life and found them in the place I least expected.

Now that I have my mate, my handsome, vibrant man, I can stop searching and enjoy what fate has given me.

I was made to love him, and that’s exactly what I’ll spend the rest of time doing.

Epilogue

One and a half years later

Hale

“Stop being weird and just go through the damn doors.” Rhett pushes me from behind. “Gods, you’re a stubborn one.”