Seduced by My Childhood Sweetheart’s Brother
Chapter 14

14- Trust and truth

It clicks in my head. I guess sometimes all it takes is to phrase something a little differently.

“What you’re saying is that ultimately, the men aren’t in control because we control ourselves, but thatwe LET them have control in order to calm their protective instincts which in turn makes them lesscontrolling and demanding.” I sum up. Darrien nods.

“Yes, FINALLY, That’s what I was trying to say. Really I think control is the wrong word. What they wantis trust. If you show you trust them to keep you safe, they in turn worry about it less.” she smiles at me.I nod my acceptance.

“But why is it just the men?” Megan shrugs.

“It isn’t really. Female Shifters are just as protective, particularly when it comes to children. However weare less prone to fighting and violent behaviour so we tend to focus more on

taking care of people emotionally. Which sort of complements the Shifter men’s issues with control aswe feel that we are protecting them emotionally by allowing them to protect us physically.”

“Ooooh, that makes sense actually, I sometimes forget you aren’t quite the same as humans. Thenagain I suppose technically I’m not either. Although I don’t really know what I am.

Humans get very caught up on men and women being the same, which seems a little odd sincebiologically they are different. Still, it does feel a little degrading, that the men think. that we needprotecting so much.”

No,

can’t

not at all, that’s not how it works. By offering you protection they aren’t saying you care for yourself, justthat they don’t want you to have to. It’s a show of respect. Think about it, they are promising to valueyour well–being over their own.” When phrased that way it seems less degrading and more sweet. NowI feel a little bad for being so stubborn with Bellamy last night. He was out of line, but I didn’t reallyunderstand the situation either and I certainly wasn’t making things easier for him.

“I can accept that I think.” Megan smiles at me happily, delighted to have managed to

convince me.

14–Trust and truth

“Wonderful. It’s important for you to understand these things since we’re friends now so you’re boundto be around more Shifters than you’re used to. The protecting stuff is also a common way that Shiftermen demonstrate that they would be a good mate, by showing how they protect and provide for afamily. Besides, you’re meant to help Bellamy replace his mate right?” I open my mouth, not really surewhat I can say that isn’t a lie but Megan just keeps going.

“Are you really going to replace his soul mate for him?” she questions. I cringe internally. I don’t want to lieto her. I phrase my words carefully..

“I can tell who he is fated to be with as long as he is near that person.” Obviously, I don’t mention that Ialready know who he is fated to be with and that it is me. Megan doesn’t notice my hesitancy.

“That’s great news. I know I make fun of him a lot, but Bels really needs to replace his mate sooner ratherthan later.” She comments.

“Why is that?” I ask. I am even more curious since the matter does concern me.

“Alphas are stronger when they have their mates. Usually they don’t become Alpha so young, so theyreplace their mates before they come to power. Besides that, whoever his mate is, she, will gain a lot ofstatus and power among the Shifters. So all the Betas are driving him crazy, parading their daughtersand sisters around in front of him, making excuses for them to stop by, just hoping they will catch hiseye. Many of them are rather offended when he sends them away. He needs a mate so that the powerstruggle will stop and so his place as Alpha can be properly cemented in place.” I consider a moment.A thought occurs to me.

“If it’s so important, why doesn’t Bellamy just pick one of the Beta’s daughters and settle. Or at least trydating one?” I ask. I try to hide how tense I feel asking this question. Megan shrugs.

“It wouldn’t be right or fair when he knows they aren’t right. Shifters actually do have ways to identifytheir true mates. Although they are quite subtle and aren’t nearly as definite as what you do. They arebetter for confirming that someone is their mate rather than identifying them and of course noteveryone waits for their true mate, often they give up on replaceing them and marry someone else. ButBellamy won’t do that, he wants to replace his fated mate, like our parents did.” She comments with awistful smile. I stare at her. Part of me is curious and the

rest is terrified. How subtle are these signs? Are they subtle enough that Bellamy won’t figure out I’msupposed to be his mate? I hope they are because I am not ready for him to figure it out just yet.

“What are the signs?” I ask, keeping my voice even.

“Oh well, they’re super subtle, most people don’t even notice unless they’re actively looking for them,and at that point they’ve probably already figured out how they feel. Well, unless they’re ridiculouslystubborn.” Megan counts them off on her fingers.

“First, Shifters always replace it easy to locate their mates. It doesn’t matter how, it could be by scent,sound, or just a general awareness of where they are. Shifters rarely struggle to figure out where theirmates are once they have found them, they crave physical closeness to those they are attached to, soknowing where their mates are is important. It also allows them to protect them better which in turnmakes them more comfortable around them. Second, Shifters are naturally more open and forthcomingwith their mates. Without thinking they behave generously towards them and they instinctively tell themthe truth. That’s not to say they can’t or won’t lie to their mates

just that their first reaction is to tell the truth and to avoid keeping secrets. The truth stuff all ties into thetrust thing again. The third and final sign is that Shifter mates are always equal when it comes todominance. It would never work if one person was more dominant, they would just walk all over theirpartner. This one is usually the most obvious sign at first since Shifters are usually well aware of theirdominance in comparison to those around them. I can tell you right now that whoever Bellamy’s mateis, she won’t be a pushover.” She concludes. I think back on Bellamy’s behaviours. He certainly locatedme easily enough when he tracked me from my workplace. I can’t say that he isn’t generous towardsme. Particularly since he is insisting on paying for my dress. I can’t really judge his truthfulness, thoughI’ve yet to catch him in a lie or anything. I’m really not sure about this dominance thing though. I sort offeel like he has a tendency to push me around. Then again, it’s not like I just sit and take it either. Beingequally dominant would probably explain our tendency to fight. Not that I really understand dominance.How do Shifters measure something like that? Do they have a rating between one and ten? A rankedscale? Rankings seem more likely given their hierarchical society. But if mates have equal dominancethat would mean that there are people who rank the same, so a scale doesn’t quite work either. Morespecific to my situation, can a Shifter even consider a non–Shifter as someone who is more or lessdominant than themselves?

I take a deep breath before asking my next question.

14–Trust and truth

“Hey Megan, do Shifters ever have non–Shifter mates?” I question. For a second I’m paranoid thatshe’s going to figure out why I’m asking, but she takes it in stride. She clearly has just figured mycuriosity is part of me trying to do my supposed job to help Bellamy replace his mate. At least I hope that’swhere her thoughts lead.

“You know I really don’t know. I don’t know any Shifters with non–Shifter mates. But there isn’t anyreason why they COULDN’T be mates with a non–Shifter. Realistically, most Shifters. barely interactwith any non–Shifters so we wouldn’t know even if they are.” I nod my understanding. By this point wehave finished eating. There are a couple scones left which Darrien finishes off for us. Megan handsover Bellamy’s credit card to pay the bill and we begin the short walk over to the mall. Megan links herarm with mine as we walk and Darrien follows close behind us. I don’t think I have ever felt so happy asI am right now walking, arm in arm with my new friend. I do ask why Darrien doesn’t do the arm offeringthing while we’re walking. Megan explains that when protecting multiple people, it’s just inconvenient.Plus, Darrien is her official guard, so the offer is not needed as it’s already his responsibility.