His eyes glint with challenge as he says, “At least you always gave the impression of not integrating with other species, Elias, but I had my suspicions.”He looks back at Elias.“Was I right?”
Elias stiffens, his shoulders drawing up.“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I think you do, and for the record, we are not living in ancient times anymore.”
Elias’s jaw tenses and his lips press together.He looks away from Fraser and appears to make an active decision not to look at me either.
Fraser stands.“Living a lie is painful, Elias.Don’t do it if you don’t have to.”
Elias makes a low growling sound.
Fraser turns to me.“Look after her, she is everything to all of us, remember that.”
I set my hands on Maisey’s delicate shoulders and feel the warmth of her body.“Nothing will harm her.You have my word.”
“And a man’s word is all he really has.”Fraser pulls up the collar of his leather coat.“And I leave you knowing I have the High Priestess’s ancient protection swirling in my veins.I thank you with all that I am, Maisey.You will always have a home with us, from this day forward, never doubt the wolves’ loyalty to you.”He smiles, a rarity, and then slips from the room.
“Fuck.”Maisey flops back in the chair and shakes her head.“That’s a lot to wrap my head around.”
I massage her shoulders with firm but gentle movements.“You took it very well.”
“Mmm, that’s nice.”She pauses and seems to enjoy my touch.“Maybe it doesn’t feel like a massive surprise to me.I’ve always known I’m a bit different, that I think things and they happen, or I just know stuff.”
“Definitely witchy traits,” Elias says.
“Do you know many?”she asks him.
“No, only one.”He kisses her cheek.“The best one.”
It feels so right, the three of us connected, so I’m reluctant to break up our little party, but needs must.“I should get Maisey to Nikoli without delay.”
“I don’t disagree.”Elias stands.“But I do think she should eat, we all should.”He looks at Maisey.“Giving blood can be draining.”
She laughs, a deliciously soft sound that warms me to my core.“Is that supposed to be funny?Draining.”
Elias’s brows draw together.“I didn’t intend it to be but if it is I’m glad.”
I laugh too as a lightness comes over me.Fraser’s parting words about bringing clans together and not living a lie give me hope.I’ve been trying to tell Elias for years that he’s overestimated the wrath of the wolves if they found out he loved me, that we spent secret nights together, and now I had my first scrap of proof that I’d been right.
