Page 34 of Fated to Her

“So, you’re not angry?” I ask them.

They both shake their heads, and I let out a sigh of relief.

• • •

Cyrus and Eli remain home for most of the day. Around 1 PM, I grow rather tired. Eli and Cyrus have been called to the council, which means Eli’s sister is coming over to wait with me.

I don’t want to be alone in this huge place, so I’m a little upset knowing they are both going. I’m also not too pleased with spending time with Cyrus’s ex. I know it sounds petty, but she is gorgeous, and I know they are still close despite not seeing each other. I can’t help but compare myself to her.

I watch as they leave, and Emery comes over to the couch before flicking the TV on.

“So, I hear I’m going to be an aunty?” she chuckles.

I sit on the other couch, and she sighs, putting her head back on the couch. She looks tired yet still beautiful.

“I saw Eli was still in a mood over my father’s return,” she says.

“Your father?” Eli never mentioned it; in fact, he barely talks about his family.

“Oh, he didn’t tell you? Just forget I said anything, then,” she says, chewing her thumbnail.

“Why? Is it a secret?” I chuckle.

“No, but I don’t want to piss him off if he hasn’t told you. He will probably be watching you like a hawk, though it’s clear why. He has guards on the doors downstairs. Personally, I think he’s overreacting,” she says, running a hand through her hair and brushing her fringe from her eyes.

“What do you mean?”

“Just leave it. I’m sure he will tell you eventually,” she says, though I have my doubts.

“He won’t. He never speaks of his family. Or if he does, he gives vague answers before becoming irritated.” She seems nervous now.

Does she truly think he would be cranky with her telling me?

She takes the remote and flicks through the channels. “Are you liking it here so far?” she asks, changing the subject.

“Yeah, it’s alright. So, how did you meet Cyrus?”

“Seriously, if that is playing on your mind, I can put you at ease by telling you there is nothing there. He is like a brother now.”

I nod, a little relieved.

“But if you want to know, I actually met him at a saloon I was working at. Eli and I were on the run from our father and stopped just outside of this town. Unfortunately, there weren’t many job opportunities for women back then, so I worked at the saloon. Cyrus was one of my regulars,” she says, watching my face while chewing her lip. Then it clicks.

“Wait, you were a prostitute?” I ask with a giggle.

“As I said, there weren’t many job opportunities, and I prefer the term ‘lady of the night.’ Sounds way classier.” She laughs. “I don’t know. Cyrus was different; he wasn’t abusive or pushy like the other men. So for about three months, I used to see him every night. He used to pay for the night so I didn’t have to work, and he never expected me to sleep with him. He just wanted to talk mostly. I think he was lonely.”

“How did Eli take that?” I ask.

“Oh, he didn’t know. He thought I was a barmaid. He started getting suspicious because of how much money I was bringing home, so he followed me to work one night. Cyrus was talking to me at the bar, and that was when they discovered each other.

Eli was pissed off when he discovered he was a man. At first, he thought it was the old pub tart sitting next to Cyrus at the bar. He tapped her on the shoulder and was about to kill her. Poor old duck looked like she was about to have a heart attack. Then Cyrus grabbed his arm. Eli did a runner when he realized it was Cyrus he was mated to.” She chuckles, shaking her head.

“Anyway, Eli found out how I was making my earnings and lost his shit at me and dragged me out, kicking and screaming in front of everyone. He kicked my ass all the way home, he did. After that, he stalked Cyrus, and the rest is history, I suppose. Eli gave up the pack and asked me to take over. We were originally a pack of just rogues, then became a family, but Cyrus couldn’t live in the pack. It was too much for his bloodlust, and the voices used to drive him insane.”

“Can I ask why you were running from your father?”

“Well, I suppose I have already said too much, haven’t I? If he is going to murder me, I might as well tell you the whole story,” she says before hopping up and walking to the kitchen. I follow and watch as she turns the kettle on.