73

Book:Sinful Mates Series Published:2024-6-4

Caroline walks past her husband, giving him a glare on her way past, before extending her hand to me. “I’m Caroline, it’s nice to finally meet you properly, Imogen.”
I shake her hand, she squeezes softly, her eyes glinting oddly under the light. I let her hand go before looking towards his father, Josiah, who is killing me with his eyes. I hold my chin up, refusing to be intimidated by him.
I extend my hand. “Hello Josiah, I’m Imogen the weak human,” I say, my voice coming out strong, showing none of the fear I feel inside.
He holds my gaze for a second and I refuse to look away. I raise an eyebrow, waiting, before I see his lips tug slightly upward and he grabs my hand, shaking it. “Nice to meet you, Imogen. I suppose my boys have told you about me then?”
I nod before he lets go, “Yes, your names, but not much other than that. Coffee?” I ask. I’m impressed with how calm I sound. I turn my back on him and start walking to the kitchen, not even waiting for an answer.
I see Tobias trying to hide his smile as I walk past. I’m not going to be intimidated by one old vampire when I live with two mythical creatures. I may look weak, but I won’t be talked about and treated like trash, I don’t care how big and scary he is supposed to be. To me, he just looks like an ordinary man, the resemblance between Josiah and Theo though is uncanny.
They both share the same light brown hair and green eyes. He is shorter than Theo, but has a stocky build and looks like a man, used to getting his way.
I turn the kettle on before leaning against the counter as everyone fills into the room and Theo comes over kissing my cheek before leaning against the counter next to me and crossing his arms. Tobias gets some mugs and hands them to me.
“Sugar?” I ask, looking at Caroline and Josiah.
She nods before answering. “Yes, two with cream,” she says with a smile.
I glance at Josiah, but I have a feeling he is a black coffee, no sugar type of man. “Black no sugar,” he says. So my guess is correct, I busy myself, making coffee.
I hand them their coffees before leaning on the island counter with my coffee in my hands. Caroline goes to say something but is cut off by her husband.
“So, all this trouble for you. Although, I’m surprised you even came downstairs, most humans would run.”
“Well, I suppose I’m not like most humans then,” I state. My words make me question my own sanity. Maybe there is something really wrong with me. I do seem to be questioning everything at the moment, especially my sanity. “So, you don’t have a problem with your sons being bisexual, but have a problem with me being human, correct?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Correct, it is against the rules we have lived by for centuries. I have nothing against you personally, Imogen. How could I? I barely know you. But you don’t understand the risk my sons are taking by keeping you.” The way he speaks is like I’m their pet, not a person.
I nod. I do understand their reasons but that doesn’t mean I’m going to throw my life away for the sake of a few broken rules. If no one knows I exist, why is it a problem? Caroline clears her throat awkwardly, obviously fearing this is going to become another argument that she would be stuck in between.
“I’m not changing. I don’t want to be like Tobias or Theo, I like my humanity,” I say, not taking my eyes off him.
“You won’t be given the choice if that’s the case, Imogen. There are only two options for you: death or change. You need to hurry up and embrace one.” I hear Tobias growl behind me. The sound is low and deep in his chest, it gives me goosebumps.
“I never asked for any of this. My choice has already been taken from me. I have been held prisoner here for weeks, and now you’re saying I don’t have a choice, yet I’m still alive. If you’re going to kill me, get it over with then,” I challenge.
His lips tug up into a sly smile. “I like her, she has sass. But you boys are aware it’s going to get her killed,” he says, looking at both of them behind me. I know they won’t allow their father to hurt me. While they stand behind me, I feel safe enough to say what I need to say. This choice they are trying to make isn’t theirs to decide but mine, and I’m fine with being the way I am. Either they all accept that or I leave, one way or another. I don’t want this man deciding my fate.
I look at the grandfather clock, it is a little after 4AM. Noticing the time makes me yawn. I quickly swallow my coffee down, hoping to give myself some energy. Josiah keeps his eyes on me the entire time. I’m very aware of his gaze. It reminds me of a snake about to strike.
We sit and stand in awkward silence for a few seconds, everyone drinking their coffee. “If you refuse to be changed, what sort of future do you see yourself having with my sons? You will grow old and then die. I’m not sure if they told you this but a mate bond…”
Tobias cuts him off. “She doesn’t need to know anything else father, I won’t have her decision swayed because you’re speaking nonsense.”
“She has a right to know, not that it will matter when she is dead, which by the sounds of it will be sooner rather than later, son.”
Tobias goes to say something, but I stop him speaking first. “I want to know, finish what you were going to say.”
His father grins triumphantly, like he won. “Like I was saying, a mate bond doesn’t just stop or go away after you die. If something were to happen to you, they would never be able to take another woman again. Mates are for life, not like you humans with this whole death do us part nonsense. Something happens to you, they will forever be left with each other, and that’s only if your death doesn’t send them crazy. Losing a mate, I have heard, is equivalent to losing part of your soul.”