Fated Mates?

There are a lot of tropes authors use to bring their hero and heroine together. Old friends. Co-workers. Surprise relationship (like new boss). But one of my favorite is the “fated mates”. Lovers that can’t ignore the draw between them no matter how much they fight it. I particularly like this in paranormal romances, whether it’s two magi who come together because their magic saves the world or shifters who recognize the mating bond at the first meeting.

Of course the fun of reading or writing these characters is knowing how hard they’re going to work to fight destiny. And in the end, after they’ve saved the world, how they will fight tooth and nail for the one person who has now captured their heart. *sigh* I just love that.

My Shifting Bonds series from Ellora’s Cave has just this premise. It begins with Bonded Souls, where JAYDA KYNSLAN, a polymorphic shifter (both cougar and wolf) finds her wolf shifter. In the next book, Bonded by Need, she can no longer fight the draw she has toward her cougar mate. Things become volatile in this love triangle. Check out this excerpt …

Jayda stood and stretched, her front paws out in front of her, her back arched in the lazy way cats often do. She needed to think about heading back to the cabin. There was so much work to catch up on. Jayda turned just as a cougar kit mewled and tumbled out of the brush behind her. A second one followed and the two greeted her with happy purrs as they wound around her legs. Their appearance confused her until the large cat strode proudly down the ridge. Zane’s muscles rippled seductively as he moved and his eyes never left hers. If she had known this shifter better, Jayda would have sworn he was smiling, but the natural curve of his feline mouth probably lent to the illusion.

The predatory glint in his eye held her frozen, not from fear but from natural animal attraction. Even in cougar form Zane couldn’t hide his desires. With slow, steady movements he approached. The rich scent of his cat rode on the soft breeze and Jayda filled her lungs with its heady fragrance. He nuzzled into her neck and she closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of his tongue as it rasped over her ear in greeting. She pressed her head against his powerful jaw, snuggling into Zane’s warmth. Jayda didn’t realize she’d been looking for him, but Zane’s presence quickened her heart rate.

The kits continued to nip at Jayda’s legs, but she couldn’t pull her eyes from Zane. He marched around her as if inspecting to be sure her shift had been complete. His strong body brushed against Jayda—a shoulder running along her side, the flick of his tail along her jaw, the unexpected nip of his teeth on her haunches—that made her jump and her womb clench. In any form the man made her hot.

With the instinct of a mother, she sensed more than saw the bored kits bounce and tumble their way back to the brush. She hoped Zane had worn them out and they were ready to sleep. Jayda didn’t want to worry about them—not when she had Zane so close, scrambling her thoughts.

He stared at her, his pupils dark and bottomless. Jayda thought she’d like to fall into them and stay safe and warm in Zane’s embrace forever.

But the mournful howl of a wolf rent the stillness of the night and broke the spell holding her captive. She’d heard it so many times, Jayda knew immediately Cole called to her. When she turned, Jayda saw him high up on the ridge, Cole’s wolf head thrown back, his anguished wail splitting the night.

No doubt the man thought she’d left him for another. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. She didn’t want to choose. She loved Cole, but her cat yearned for Zane.

Jayda looked from Cole to Zane. The cougar stepped back into the shadows, giving her room to think. Cole howled again then stared down at her, his legs spread wide in defiance. She needed to explain to him—to both of them—how much her heart needed their love in equal measure. Jayda had no idea if it could work, but she took off up the ridge to convince Cole to join them. She hadn’t bounded more than three steps when her cougar gave itself over to her wolf.
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How do you feel about the fated mates premise? Do you believe in love at first sight?

If my shifters intrigue you, theres a short story available for FREE from Ellora’s Cave