Page 60 of Sinful Mates

Caroline goes to say something, but is cut off by her husband.

“So, all this trouble for you; although I am surprised you even came downstairs, most humans would run.”

“Well, I suppose I’m not like most humans, then,” I state, making me question my own sanity. Maybe there is something wrong with me.

“So, you don’t have a problem with your sons being bisexual, but have a problem with me being human, correct?” I challenge.

“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 am their pet, not a person. I nod. I understand their reasons, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to throw my life away for a few broken rules. If no one knows I exist, why is it a problem?

Caroline clears her throat awkwardly, obviously fearing this will become another argument she will 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. There are only two options for you, death or change. You need to hurry up and embrace one.” Tobias growls behind me. It’s low and deep in his chest. It gives me goosebumps. It’s kind of nice not having it aimed at me for once, but in support of me.

“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? If you’re going to kill me, get it over with, then.” .

His lips tugged up into a sly smile. “I like her, she has sass, but you boys know it’s going to get her killed,” he says, staring at both men behind me. I know they won’t allow their father to hurt me. Knowing they are standing behind me, I feel safe enough to say what I needed to say. This choice they ware 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.

Josiah keeps his eyes on me the entire time. I’m aware of his gaze. He reminds me of a snake about to strike.

“If you refuse to be changed, what sort of future do you see yourself having with my son? 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 from speaking first. The hairs on the back of my neck are standing on end. Yet another secret being hidden from me, and one I don't think I’m going to like the answer to. “I want to know, finish what you were going to say.”

His father grins triumphantly, like he won the dispute. Let him have this moment. What he has to say was more important. “As I said, a mate bond doesn’t just stop or go away after you die. If something happens to you, they will never take another woman again. Mates are for life, not like you humans with this whole death do us part nonsense. If 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.”

I shudder. His words make my heart skip a beat. They knew, even if I said no, that my leaving could destroy them, yet they marked me, anyway. Did they just assume I would bow down to their needs? The thought scared me. I didn’t want to be the reason for their destruction.

What will happen when I age past their immortal ages? When I’m old and wrinkly like a worn-out leather handbag? Will they still want me? I can't imagine myself having a session like we'd endured such a short time ago. I'd break a hip or two, maybe even a rib. Why did this have to be so complicated?

I stared down Theo and Tobias, both watching me, preparing themselves for whatever I'd choose. "You knew marking me could destroy you, yet you still did it, why?"

“You will understand once the mate bond kicks in, Imogen. Don’t think too much of it right now, please. Ignore my father, he is just rambling,” Theo said.

Again with the mate bond. Everything always comes down to that invisible bond we are supposed to have. How can they be so sure it will even work with a human? Sure, I find myself needing them more, but can I honestly say I feel the same way about them as they do about me?

“Something to think about, Imogen,” Josiah says. I nod but don’t answer because I’m busy stuck in my own head, trying to grasp what the hell Tobias was thinking when he marked me.

“We will head off. I will give you as much time as I can, boys, but either convince her or…” He glances in my direction, letting his words trail off. He stands, his wife mirroring his movements. I follow them to the door, and his mother kisses my cheek softly. Before getting in their red convertible.

I turn and head back inside, with Tobias and Theo chasing after me.

“I’m sorry, Imogen. I didn’t know they would show up before the month ended,” Tobias says when I shut the door. His eyes search mine, a desperation glowing inside. The peace we'd shared seemed an eternity ago.

“How long do I have?” I whisper.

“Pardon?” Tobias asks. Fear laces his voice, making his words tremble, like he thinks I have already chosen death. To be honest, I had planned on remaining human, but after what his father said, can I really go ahead with my decision, knowing how badly it will affect these two? How it will leave them broken without me. It’s hard to even think about it.

“How long do I have before I have to decide?” I press softly. The last thing I want is to waste any of our time in an argument.

“Till the end of the month,” Theo says, moving next to me.

So, we had nine days, that was it.