Chapter 3: The Mating

I woke up and heard a tapping at my window. It couldn't be anyone but Lance. I felt butterflies fluttering in my stomach as I slipped on my robe and went to the window...1

Tawnya opened the window quietly and whispered to the man waiting outside, "What are you doing here, Lance? It's the middle of the night."2

"I just wanted to see you, M'Love," he said so quietly as to almost be inaudible.3

He reached for her as she whirled away and went to sit in a chair. He groaned as his fingers brushed the silk of her robe but gained no hold on her.4

"Love--" he began softly.5

"Father would kill us if he knew you were here in the middle of the night like this," she whispered.6

"Love, I need you to come with me now. I can't wait anymore, and your father knows I am coming for you like this."7

"Does he know you are coming tonight?" she asked. She could feel the butterflies almost in her throat now. He was serious. He really wanted her to come with him now.8

"No, Love, he does not know when. I did not know when, so we left it open-ended," he replied.9

"Where are we going to go?"10

"I have a lair nearby we can go to. It is quiet there. We can mate and complete the soul-bond, and we will belong to each other forever."11

Tawnya studied him for a moment, then seeing him become more agitated, which was definitely unlike him, she got up and went to her closet. She put one outfit of clothing in a bag and turned around. To her surprise, he was barely a step behind her. Nearly dropping her bag, she gasped and he reached to steady her.12

"Let's go," she said quietly when she was able to speak, "I want to go with you now."13

Lance slipped out the window, as silent as a shadow, and turned to help Tawnya, but she was already out and shutting the window as quietly as she could. 14