Give them time, Azriel.

He knew that. Knew that something as big and as permanent as the mating bond wasn't something to be taken lightly. He appreciated that they were thinking it through, but it made it hard not to let the darker thoughts creep in. That they wouldn't feel the same, that they didn't want him as a mate --

He knew better than that. They liked him, they'd said as much -- but that the bond was...overwhelming. At first, at least. And he understood that too -- it'd been overwhelming for him too, the warm snap of it into place. The rush of finally that'd swept over him because looking at them had felt like...coming home, in a way.

That had been months ago. He wasn't sure when they'd become aware of it, but he'd felt the gentle tug on their end as of late, testing it -- like a kitten with ribbon. He'd tugged back, felt that heady rush of emotion -- and the sulkiness when he'd been amused by it.

It was such a tug now that got his attention -- insistent, beckoning.