~TABLE TALK~

~CASSELBA'S POV

THERE ARE THREE WAYS A WEREWOLF CAN BOND WITH ANOTHER. The first is simple; hot, sweaty sex between the sheets—or rather, deep in the embrace of nature. Shifters naturally possess remarkable sexuality, so the sex is most times rough, in that dark thrilling way.

The second way is much more complex. It is called the mind bond—in the layman's terms. This bond is not well known among humankind. The legends hardly make mention of it, but nevertheless, it is crucial in mating. I was quite surprised when I began to feel Ryan and Caden manifest such supernatural connection. They were humans.

No offense to men, but the natural human mind lacked that level of clairvoyance. Most humans with higher mind capabilities had to be touched by some level of the supernatural.

For two minds to completely meld together, share a telepathic connection and paranormal link, the minds had to be superior. It was necessary for a shifter's mate to have this connection. It alerted the spouse to threats of danger and the passion of need.

The final way of bonding is widely known. It involves the marking; a situation where the dominant mate marks the lover. The dominant partner can be a man or sometimes, a woman. Shifter markings mostly occur on the neck and the wrists. The wound from the wolf's teeth rapidly heals, leaving only the scent and scar of love.

I have no idea about humans. No shifter has ever successfully bonded with a human. There are a million reasons why. It was frowned upon in the Shifter world.

Humans were seen as jelly, with skin that took days to heal and bones that were too easy to break. Dominant pack Alphas considered male humans unfit to protect the werewolf females, which is why such relationships were banned.

They forget that a woman is more than capable of protecting herself, especially with fangs and claws...

"So, what do you think?" Caden's voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

I look up from the table to him.

His eyes immediately zone in on mine. He must've seen the worry in my eyes because he inches closer to the table.

"Casselba, are you alright?"

"Yes, thank you. I'm fine. What were you saying?"

Ryan looks to his father, and gives him a subtle shake of his head. I catch on the meaning. The men were worried I was having second thoughts and wanted to withdraw. My mouth moves with my mind.

"No. No. It's okay. I'm fine with the contract..."

My voice breaks off as I recall a few details. The words stipulated firstly my compliance. They were beautiful words too. Caden was undoubtedly a brilliant man. The only section of the contract I didn't particularly like was the final part.

It stated that I could only have one of both men. I could only have them separately. I could either be with Caden or Ryan, not both, not at the same time. But I didn't want that.

It may be quite unconventional but I wanted them both with me, at the same time, in the same room, desk or whatever. I wanted to feel both their strong arms on me. But it also seemed that Caden was quite rigid on this particular annex. He didn't want to have sex together with his son.

It must be weird for him. Even more weird was what I wanted to suggest.

"...but the last part—" I begin.

Caden's ears quirk up at this and Ryan's eyes light up beside him.

"—maybe we could change a few things..." I trail off.

Caden reclines back on his seat. He brings his fingers to his jaw, running them lightly over his sexy five o'clock shadow. I notice the tension in his features and move to ease him.

"I understand you don't want to be with the same woman in front of your son but our relationship is quite extraordinary. It has been from the beginning. I know you both know I'm not really human. We also have this weird but wonderful mind link between us..."

I pause for a while, looking into his eyes.

"...I just think it would be nice if we...you know, did it together?"

I stop talking then. Caden's fingers still rub on his jaw but his eyes seem to darken. He says nothing and we stay silent for more than a minute.

Our glasses of vintage mist up with the wine's chill and cool wind brushes over my skin. I sit there in my seat, hoping I didn't scare him off.

Why did I have to go and mention sleeping together with both men?

Christ! Now that I think on it, it seems mortifying. They were father and son for Chrissake!

I bravely clear my throat.

"Caden?" I whisper.

About thirty very slow seconds pass before he meets my eyes. He grabs his glass and downs the drink in one large gulp.

"No." He growls.

Without another word, he stands to his feet and strides away. I silently stare at the empty seat in front of me. I'm vaguely aware of Ryan's eyes on me. He lifts his hand to the table and takes mine in his, and I meet his warm hazel eyes as he speaks.

"Caden is new to this. We all are. Maybe we give him a bit of time. Okay?" I nod to him. After a while, he adds, "but for the record, I think a threesome would be fucking hot."

He smiles at me and I can't help but smile too. He looked beautiful, with his pretty eyes and inky hair that always fell into them.

Ryan was right. A threesome would be fucking hot. We already had so much desire for each other. I think of the magic we would make together.

Ryan lifts up from his chair and leans across the table. He gives me a small kiss on the side of my head, close to my ear. His breath whispers over my skin.

"I should go check on him," he says, meaning Caden.

I nod and he gives me another kiss before he moves away. I watch him in his stride. The Hallow males had a confident gait. They were the bravest humans I'd ever met.

My hand moves up to where Ryan kissed me. His kiss was supposed to be cliché, but somehow the light of his eyes and whisper of his words made it romantic.

I pick up the bottle, pouring more of the white wine into my glass. I sigh and drink up, hoping my absurd request didn't push the men away. Maybe it was for the best. I still had Hiram the Bastard to kill. I had to find one of his henchmen though. After I pull out a few claws or break a few bones, they would lead me straight to him.

I sit back and enjoy the rest of the evening, sipping calmly on my ancient bottle of wine.