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I look at each of them and then stay focused on Las.
“Picture your human body. Imagine your arms holding us. Start with your feet and move up steadily. We want to hold you. Tomorrow we will shift again.” Las is holding one of their shirts and then I remember my clothes that are torn apart.
I close my eyes and do as he says. I will be able to shift whenever I want. This isn’t a one-time thing. Magic once again rolls over me, rushing through.
I groan and blink when I feel the breeze on my bare skin. I sit back on my heels, dazed. Las rushes to cover me with the shirt and I shiver. He stays close, buttoning the shirt, Logan and Las at my sides.
“We are so proud of you, baby girl,” Las rumbles, his voice low.
“You are gorgeous and brave,” Logan says softly.
“I love you, woman,” Lucas growls.
Their words center me and they are sheltering me from the crowd, allowing me to catch my breath. It will probably take days, if not months, to process what I am now.
“Are you ready?” Las cups my face, kissing me softly. He helps me to my feet.
“Yes,” I say hesitantly.
Las tucks me under his arm and we turn to face their parents. They look young and strong, but it’s their eyes that show the years they have lived.
I tense as their mom steps forward. “Sweetheart,” she says quietly, she puts her hands on my shoulders. “My name is Liz. You are breathtaking in either form. I am so pleased that the universe brought you into my sons’ lives.” Tears spring to my eyes. She gently pulls and I end up in her arms. “You brought them peace,” she whispers. “You helped them find themselves and each other again. I will forever be grateful.”
I grit my teeth, hoping I can stop the sobs. “I love them,” I say simply.
“Woman, let me greet our daughter,” their dad grumbles.
“We were having a moment,” she gripes.
“You will have plenty of moments. It’s my turn.”
One pair of arms are swapped for another and a giant man that smells similar to my mates holds me tenderly.
“Thank you,” he whispers and my arms shake. “My name is Joseph, but you can call me Dad.” The amount of love I have felt today is such a blessing, washing away all the worry of meeting them. “If they ever piss you off, tell me, I’ll take care of it.”
I laugh. “I promise.” He eases back, his eyes crinkling.
“Can we have our mate back?” Lucas growls.
I step back. I look around at our friends. I feel a deeper connection to them now. All of them have power, more power than any human could imagine, but they use it to protect those they love.
This is a real family, I think as I let my gaze wander, Harmony is leaning on Jax as he talks to Blue. James is joking with River while Ava rolls her eyes. Kerian is sitting with Revel on his lap, listening to the little girl chatter a grin on his face. Bash is speaking with Bishop, Marie held close. His face is hard and then he looks at Marie and everything falls away, love shining from his eyes. Laken is beside Elijah, his finger twined with Penny’s, shaking his head as Elijah smirks. Saylor looks like she is lecturing him about something. Penny catches me staring and winks.
Yes, this is family.
I lean on the rail of the porch, listening to the calming sounds of the woods. It has been two weeks since the first day I turned into a lion. Every day since, we have shifted and run together. We moved all of my things into the main house and I got several things from storage to add to the house. Every morning, I wake up and it takes a minute to realize my life isn’t a dream. As I get to know my lion and my mates even more, it just gets better.
Stephanie was not happy with me when I called to update her. I meekly took her lecture for not informing her that I was a lion. I did point out I was a little preoccupied before the decision was made, and unconscious for three days after. She forgave me after we talked for two hours the day after I woke up. We are still planning to put our efforts into the business when she gets here soon. The guys have been working in the bakery every day and it looks amazing.
Steph will be the single occupant of the apartment upstairs and I decided to have my mates renovate it more than was planned by knocking out the wall between the two rooms. I want to give her a huge bedroom, a top-of-the-line bathroom, and a walk-in closet. She deserves it and I’m so excited to see her. She has been the constant support in my life, the only support until now.
Liz and Joseph are still in town. The guys insisted they stay in a hotel, for which I am grateful. I would die of embarrassment if they heard me with their sons. Liz has called every day and we have had lunch numerous times. She is sweet and kind and I am so grateful to have her in my life.
Joseph is a combination of all his sons and I fell in love with the gruff, big-hearted man easily. He is a steady presence. He often comes to the bakery and we talk about the business plan. I called Steph and handed the phone to Joseph, explaining she was the one who would take care of that aspect. I know my strengths and numbers and paperwork are not it.
My parents have slunk back to their miserable world and I’m thrilled. I busted out with laughter once the guys told me they had been sitting in jail. We had a long discussion about what to do with them. I decided to pay the hotel bill but they would be told that debt would be forgiven if they left and never come back. The plan was in place. Before we could follow through, Quinn showed up and told us he took care of it. We were shocked. He wouldn’t tell us any details, just that they wouldn’t be back. I get the feeling the bear has a bigger heart than all of us know. I decided to be grateful. In the days since, I have been trying out different recipes I’m thinking of putting on the menu and splitting them between my mates and Quinn’s office. He hasn’t complained.
We had a get-together with all our friends here at the house to celebrate our bond. I love them all and have plans next week to get together with the girls.
