he was a boy, she was a girl

Lucretia's heart stilled when he spoke. Although she knew that she never wanted to leave his side and wished to always work together for the better of the pack... did that make them mates? She had never had an excellent example of partnership. Everyone had been so concerned with surviving in the former Klein Empire that hardly anyone paid much thought to their feelings. Deathbelle and Archon had shone brilliantly together and yet their flame had burnt out so quickly. Luce saw what it had done to her sister to lose her love. If not for her children, the loss may have destroyed her unflappable sister. Was that what it meant to be mates?

Luce whined softly, her eyes shining but troubled. They couldn't turn back after Bourbon had asserted himself. If she accepted his affections, they would be more tightly bound than ever before. Nevertheless, the answer seemed obvious. They couldn't survive without each other. "I will accept... if you abide by one simple request," Luce offered. Her voice was shaking. The normally composed shamyn found herself reduced to a nervous wreck - but he had seen her in worse states. "You cannot ever leave my side. Nothing will change. We will continue to work together, ensuring the health of the Empire. Always." It was her deepest desire. She hoped he would accept.