The Taste of Seduction

She shifted uncomfortably as everyone\'s gaze was on her. She had heard whispers about how beautiful she looked even Maria had been awestruck a number of times when she was dressing her but Meredith was too scared to look at her new face.

She knew her hair color was silver now and her eyes were purple from Maria but that was it.

She wondered if her brother would recognize her if she met him. Speaking of family she missed her best friend Stella and her brother.

She hoped they\'re doing okay. When everything settles down she would speak with Marcus to let her visit home.

"There are several reasons why we are here tonight." Marcus finally said, breaking the silence at last.

"But I feel as though we should cover the most obvious topic first."

His eyes slid to hers and Meredith felt her throat bob. This was the first time she was seeing him after their conversation in his bedroom three days ago.

It was still hard to grasp the fact that he was her mate. Now she has two mates who hate each other. Lord help her if they didn\'t kill each other first.

"As you all know, when Meredith came into her true form three days ago , our mating bond snapped into place."

"But how is this possible?" Katrina cut in. "I have never heard of a Vampire and a werewolf sharing a mate bond..."

The others muttered their agreement.

"She is a tribid Kate. Not an ordinary werewolf." Timothe chimed in.

"But still it\'s rare for a vampire to get a soulmate. Only werewolves and witches are blessed enough to find their soulmate."

Marcus lowered his eyes and shook his head slowly.

"I do not know the answer to that. I have been asking myself the same question since it happened. I still can\'t believe it honestly."

Katrina met Meredith\'s gaze and gave her a comforting smile.

"Well….according to my knowledge, the mate bond over centuries ago is believed to be decided by the gods.

The first spices of supernatural creatures were lonely so they made a sacrifice to the gods to bless them with their own soulmate. Someone who could understand them better than anyone else and a lifetime companion.

When two people are mated, it means that they are a perfect pair. But it\'s so rare... To find the one person, out of the millions among our world, who is your perfect counterpart...

The odds of finding that person are unlikely. That is why it is so sacred. Most people believe that when two people are lucky enough to find their mate, it is because the gods have higher plans for them. "

Elvinn paused and sighed before he continued,

"But all supernaturals found their mates except the vampires. Maybe it was because the gods believed they were already dead and didn\'t have the heart to love or it was because they were too heartless so they decided to punish them.

The vampires kept searching, waited for years and they grew bitter over time as they watched other creatures find love while they didn\'t.

The werewolves were the most blessed ones, the moon goddess was kind to them so they were the supernatural creatures who easily found their soulmate. That\'s one of the many reasons why the creatures of the night don\'t like us."

Meredith frowned at Elvinn\'s words.

"So you\'re saying there is nothing like soulmates for vampires?" She asked.

Elvinn turned to look at Marcus and nodded, "Yes. Ever since I came into existence I have never heard of a vampire having a soulmate."

Shock and gasps echoed through the room.

Marcus glared at Elvinn, "So are you accusing me of lying about the mate bond?"

Elvinn shrugged and relaxed in his chair, "No. I\'m just stating what I know."

Aurora, one of the council members, finally spoke.

"Well I believe that it is a sign from the gods. Marcus and all of you, have been working so hard to bring all of the races together... To bring peace back to the land.

Even though both of you are betrothed I think a mate bond to solidify your union is good. Now the werewolves and vampires can settle their differences and we can unite as a country."

No one made a sound after Aurora finished speaking.

Meredith\'s gaze alternated between all of them, waiting for one of them to speak.

Elvin rose his brows and poked out his lower lip.

The other council members face remained in it\'s usual, stony state. They hadn\'t utter a word since the meeting started.

Katrina was smiling softly at her.

And Marcus... When her eyes met with his, she could feel the profound amount of love pouring out of him as he stared into her. It wasn\'t because of his face... In fact, his expression was quite unreadable, as he lounged lazily in his chair.

It was the bond.

Meredith was sure of it.

The pull between them intensified as she continued to stare at him. She could feel his emotions, she could feel his love for her stretching down the bond between their souls.

It felt as if his emotions were intertwined with her own. Meredith looked away, guilt consuming her.

She knew that now Marcus was her mate but she still couldn\'t bring herself to love him or want him. She felt it was unfair to Atlas. And she didn\'t want to be the one to hurt him.

Also the people in this room deserved to know that Marcus wasn\'t the only one who was her mate.

She cleared her throat and fiddled with her fingers. Nerves fluttered in her belly when she realized that she had gotten their attention now.

"I need to tell you something too…."

She realized that her voice had changed too. It was softer yet powerful when she speaks.

"What is wrong?" Marcus asked, she could feel his concern through the mate bond.

Meredith winced, knowing whatever she was about to say was about to change everything.

"You\'re not my only mate."

Dead silence ensued in the room as everyone stared at her as if she was crazy.

"I believe I have two mates." She swallowed nervously with her head lowered.

"What are you talking about?" Katrina asked.

"After the ritual, I felt a pull towards another person other than Marcus. My wolf and I believe he is also my mate."

She could feel Marcus\' anger and pain through the bond. Even though he hadn\'t marked her yet for some weird reason she could feel his every emotion just as she could with Atlas.

"And let me guess…this person is Atlas?" Marcus spat out vehemently. A muscle clenched in his jaw.

Meredith finally lifted her head and met his gaze.

"Yes." Meredith whispered, her voice barely a whisper in the room.