Wonder

Does it still qualify as a mating of convenience when one partner is all in? Asking for a vampire friend…

Simon:
Look, I get it. It’s a shock when some random vampire shows up out of the blue and says you’re his mate. I don’t blame Reno for not welcoming me with open arms. He’s had a lot of responsibilities thrust on him in the last few years, and this mate thing is too much on top of all that.
But me? I have no doubt Reno’s the one I’ve been waiting for. I’ve been trying to find my mate for decades, enduring years of loneliness as I struggled to complete my mission. I’d love nothing more than to give Reno the time and space he needs to get to know me and embrace our mating.
There’s just this one teeny, tiny, deadly issue: Wonders are in danger, and as a Seer, Reno’s in a unique position to find the ones hunting them so I can take them out. Being mated will boost both of our abilities, so when Reno agrees to complete our bond, I’m relieved and ecstatic.
At least until he tells me it can only be temporary.

Reno:
FFS, fine. I’ll do the bonding thing, but only because Wonders are dying and Simon and I need the enhanced skills we’ll get. Yes, he’s easy on the eyes and a super nice guy. He’d make a great mate for anybody who’s in the market for one, but that’s not me.
Two years ago, I took on the District Monitor role short-term. But there’s still no replacement, and I’m constantly barraged by texts and calls from the Wonders. I had to quit the job I loved, and I barely have any time to myself. Now I’m supposed to be thrilled because some guy says we’re mates? No, thank you, I don’t need another obligation. We’ll sever the bond after the danger is over. Simon isn’t happy, but he promised.
Soon I’ll be a free man again, and Simon will find someone else he’s compatible with. We’ll both get what we want.
As long as we survive this fight.