"Oh—he didn't… I'm not…" My hand jumps to the side of my neck awkwardly. "We aren't mated or anything."
She rubs her forehead. "That's not what I was asking. Do you know what happens to two shifters when they complete a mating bond? The marking scars are just the physical expression. The real bonding happens on an energetic level. When a shifter claims their mate, there's an exchange of energy. Usually, it's balanced. A give and take."
A cold feeling settles in my stomach. "Okay…"
"It isn't much, and there are levels of sensitivity to a bond. Some pairs can feel each others' emotions, for example. There's almost always a mental link between pairs. And they can share in each others' pain and healing to a small extent."
I nod.
"And then there's you."
Now she's just getting ominous. "I'm listening."
Lyre's expression softens with something that might be pity. "Caine... took. A lot. Though I don't think he meant to. To be fair, you're a bit of a special case, yourself."
