Page 41 of Claimed By the Guardian

This was magic, pure and simple. And it was because she and he would make strong magical babies. That was always the result of a true bonding.

He turned to look at her. “You still have free will, Cecilia. You don’t have to choose me.”

She arched a brow. “I think I did last night.”

“But that was stress and yeah, maybe there was biological imperative involved. But it’s not a life sentence for you.”

“But it is for you?”

He shrugged. “Simon says not.”

“But you say yes.”

He didn’t know how to answer that. In the end, he took the coward’s way out. “I say that I need to change my clothes and get some things from my apartment. I need you to come with me. I can’t leave you out here.”

She looked around the parking lot. It all seemed safe and quiet. But he knew that bad things could strike anytime, even in broad daylight.

“Please don’t fight me on this. I really need to keep you nearby.”

“This the magic thing again?”

He shrugged. “It’s my job to keep you safe. You’re the only shifter-aware doctor in Detroit right now. We need you.”

She frowned. “That can’t be true.”

“It’s not,” he admitted. “But the others are pediatricians, a dentist, and a podiatrist. Not much help.”

“You’d be surprised.” Then before he could say more, she held up her hand. “I’ll go up with you, Hank, if you promise to get me their names and numbers.”

He frowned at her. “You know you could get those from us just by asking, right?”

She sighed. “I was teasing you. Trying to lighten the mood. Don’t shifters make jokes?”

“Of course, we make jokes. We’re just like everybody else. Except for?—”

“Going furry. And magical bonding. And gang territories in Detroit.”

“Humans have that last one. And some normals are pretty hairy, too.”

“Fair point. So is there a reason we’re still sitting in your car debating this? Why aren’t we already up in your apartment?”

He sighed. God, she was smart, but she needed to know it all. “Because the minute I get you up there, in my place…my den, so to speak, I’m going to be on you like white on rice.”

She blinked. “What?”

“If this is all magic or biology, then I won’t be able to stop myself. I’m going to want to make babies with you like it’s my primary reason for living. Which it will be. To propagate the species and all.”

Her eyes widened. “Um, so why am I going up there?”

He shrugged. “We have to know, don’t we?” Then he amended his statement. “I’d really like to know if I’m bonded that deeply to you already.”

“We just met twelve hours ago.”

He didn’t answer. Just held her gaze until she sighed.

“So, tell me what you want me to do.”

“Ever shot a Taser before?”