She hesitated. "Why are we going into the woods, Drake?"

"Because, you are more at peace here," he replied. "I've noticed how much you like it, and I want you to be at ease when I tell you about how my kind mates."

"Oh," she blushed. "Well, you can tell me. I need to know, but I think I already know."

"Have you been on the human's internet again?" he teased. She was quite inquisitive.

"There was an article," she admitted. "It said there were bite scars on some of the female's necks."

"This is true," he growled. "The scientists got more information than we previously thought."

"I'm sorry," she said, resting a hand over his heart. "I'm so sorry for the way humans have treated the shifters. I hate them for capturing you as if you were the worst kind of animals."

"Where have you been all my life?" he asked, capturing her lips again.

"Tell me what I need to do, Drake," she pressed as soon as he released her to take a breath. If Drake had his way, he'd never stop kissing Tessa. "What do I need to do to become your mate?"

"We bite our mates, and the bite will scar over to show other males not to come near, or even touch, a mated female." Drake held nothing back. Tessa had to know everything. Yes, there was a risk she would run from him and tell the humans everything, but he was willing to take that risk and hope she accepted him.

"But I can't bite you," she said, reaching up to touch her own teeth. "I don't have fangs like a female of your kind would have."

"Oh, Tessa," he flinched. "There is always a way." "How?" she continued. "Tell me."

"I can always change you into what I am," he offered, watching as her eyes widened. The one thing he didn't want to do was scare her, but the look of shock on her face proved he may have done just that.

"Really?" she asked, clearing her throat.

"It's not easy," he replied, swallowing hard at the thought. "It's painful."

"How painful?"

"Like someone is breaking all of your bones over and over again for three days while you transform into one of us," he admitted. "I will have to be sedated, because once I mark you and give you my blood, we are bonded for eternity. Your pain will be my pain, and your agony will be mine, as well."

"Is there medicine that can sedate me, too?" she cringed. "I've had broken bones, Drake, and I don't like what you're saying...what you're suggesting."

"The last thing I want to do is put you in any type of pain," he growled. "I would rather cut off my own arms and bleed out on the ground."

"Is there a medicine, Drake?" she pressed.

"Yes," he nodded, "but it's not very effective. You'll still feel pain."

"Okay," she said, quieting as she released his hand.

The bear inside him roared, demanding he go after her when she walked ahead of him. She didn't want this. She didn't want to be his. The anger boiled up inside him. This was why humans were no good for them.

"Tessa?" he called out, taking a step forward, but paused when she spun around. Her arms were crossed over her chest like she was protecting herself. She was scared, and he could scent the fear on the breeze.

"I want you to do it," she stated. "If it means I can be as strong as you and your brothers, I want in."

"What?"

"I don't understand all of these feelings I'm having when I'm around you, Drake, but my heart is telling me that everything you're telling me is true."

"It's all true," he promised, taking three large steps to grab ahold of his mate.

"Then mate me, Drake Morgan," she breathed as his lips crashed down on hers.