The Deputy and His Enforcer (Kincaid Pack #3) - Kiki Clark Page 0,56
a… tea infuser? “There isn’t a lot written about it, but it’s believed that it’s only in the past few centuries that shifters began to feel the mating pull toward humans. There are theories that the populations were diminishing or that the shifters were becoming too powerful, but either way the goddess has permitted true matings between shifters and humans.”
“Okay,” Marcus said, leaning his hip against the table and crossing his arms. Clearing his throat and ignoring the heat in his face, he said, “But how can I fully mate with Robson? We can’t exactly exchange bonding bites…”
Damien’s smile was small but not mocking. “Most recorded human and shifter matings are with shifters whose animal side is… generally labeled as prey, rather than predator.”
Marcus nodded and waited, since that didn’t explain Teresa and Patrick or him and Robson.
“The occasional predator shifter who mates a human is usually one with a small pack or no pack at all,” Damien added, rolling the jar between his palms, the chain of the infuser taped to the top so the small metal ball dangled over the edge and tapped the side. Keeping his eyes on the jar, Damien added quietly, “Or the human is powerful in a different way.”
The last comment gave Marcus pause, but he decided not to focus on it since it didn’t apply to their current situation, and he was on a tight schedule to get to the rec center. He mentally noted he should suggest to Kai that he come back and talk to Damien alone. “So their animal sides aren’t strong enough to give their mates the bite?”
Damien tipped his head back and forth, eyes still down. “Sometimes, or they bite their partner and are okay with not wearing a bite mark themselves, or they choose not to because they don’t feel the urge to visually mark their mate without many—if any—other shifters around.”
“But doesn’t…” Sighing, Marcus pushed through his embarrassment. “The bite is more than a visual representation of the mating though, right? I’ve heard it… connects you and your mate, and doesn’t it also change the mated pair’s scents too? Rick and Kai… theirs changed to a sort of mixture of both of their original scents.” He scratched at the longer stubble on his face. He’d been growing it out a bit since Saturday after he’d noticed the way Robson had stared at his unshaven jaw. “Patrick is a predator shifter and is part of a large, strong pack, so I don’t… My wolf wants to bite Robson and be bitten and…” He gritted his teeth, frustrated.
“And it’s even worse having to come to someone for answers about your own instincts and mating.” Damien glanced up at Marcus and nodded when he grunted his agreement. “I get that, and it’s true that Patrick didn’t bite Teresa—and I can’t say why he didn’t without speaking to him about it—but I can tell you what I know for sure: the bonding bite links the shifter’s magic to the person they bite. That’s why it changes their scent.”
Marcus’s eyes widened as he considered that information. It made sense. He wondered why he’d never considered that before. “So when both mates are able to provide the bite, the scents mix. But since Robson can’t… He’d carry my scent, but I wouldn’t carry his.”
It wasn’t like not being able to trade bonding bites with Robson would be a deal breaker. He already couldn’t imagine walking away from his mate, no matter what became of their mating. If Robson decided he only wanted to be friends, then Marcus would be the very best friend he ever had and be there for him any way he could.
“Technically, yes.” Damien nodded and held out the jar. “So I made you this.”
Accepting the mixture, he sniffed at the lid and wrinkled his nose at the heavy herb scent. “Some sort of tea?”
The tiniest smile curved Damien’s lips. “Yes. The mixture will allow your mate to—temporarily—be able to provide you with a bonding bite as well. If you both want that.”
He didn’t emphasize both, but Marcus heard the undercurrent of caution regardless. Deciding not to take offense, he asked, “How does it work?”
“Magic, of course,” Damien said with a light laugh. His face sobered quickly though, his dark brown eyes and scent filling with a mix of sadness and joy. “Just remember… Even if you never bite or knot your mate—”
Marcus choked on his spit, face flaming.
“Your mating would still be valid in the eyes of the