Page 61 of Those That Defy the Realm

“Maybe. You know the call he got when you got back yesterday?” I nod. “Well, it was from one of the vampires that used to be in Adicious’s pack, the one who we let leave once we took control. His family is the pack based in Carnio. Anyway, he made it back there and is trying to broach a connection between us and them. Only, they’re not fully taking his word and are demanding Ty travels over there to speak directly with their leaders.”

“Why do you need them?” I ask.

“It’ll help in the long run with the authorities. If it goes successfully here, they want to approach other packs and other municipal councils and get similar safeguards in place for those vampires. It would mean more packs receive a certain level of safety. Ultimately, it’s a good thing, but the leaders in Carnio are being overly cautious.”

“Sounds complicated,” I say, lacking any kind of advice.

“It is. And Ty really doesn’t want to go, but if it will create an ally for us, and get them legal protection, he’ll do it.”

“You wouldn’t go with him?”

“No, now we’re in charge here, the risk would be too high for us to travel together outside of Froan. If we’re both captured, the pack would be left vulnerable.”

“Sorry, that sucks.”

“It is challenging, and I don’t want to be separated from Ty. Hopefully, he can talk them round. But if not, we’ll have to organise this trip for him as well as finishing the house.” She gives a weary sigh. “But anyway, that’s enough about my current situation. I feel like we barely talk about you whenever you’re up at the ranch. How are you?”

It’s the opener I need. I just don’t take it right away. “That’s because I’m there to work. And as we’ve just established, your schedule is powering at a speed of knots unheard of in the restoration industry.”

“Yeah but it doesn’t mean I don’t want you to tell me what’s going on with you.” Rory sits up and realises I haven’t joined her on my bed yet. I’m kind of awkwardly standing in the middle of the room. “Claire, what’s going on?”

“There is something I need to tell you.”

“Okay, now I’m worried. Are you alright?”

“Yes, I am. I’m really good in fact,” I try to just say the words but instead I garble on. “I just don’t know how you’re going to react and while I don’t think you’ll be upset, I want you to be happy for me, and I have no idea if this crosses some sort of line.”

“Please, just tell me.”

Taking a deep breath, I steel my nerves. “I’m in a relationship,” I say and Rory’s jaw slackens in surprise. “With Henry.” Her eyebrows shoot up. “And Ash,” I quickly add.

“Both of them?” Rory gapes at me.

“Yeah…” I confirm, although it doesn’t come out with much conviction as I try to read her reaction.

“Oh my gods! I was right!” She leaps off the bed with a squeal. “I was saying to Ty just yesterday how close you all seemed.”

“You’re not mad?”

“Mad? Why would I be mad? You’re all adults, and as long as they’re treating you well, I’m thrilled!”

“And you don’t think it's stupid?”

“Stupid?” Her jubilance dies instantly, her red curls falling round her shoulders at her sudden pause. “Why would it be stupid?”

“Er… because I’m human. Because neither of them live here? Because they started hooking up before I joined in?” I voice the concerns I already had discussed with both Henry and Ash but now they were out I realised how much I needed my friend’s opinion on this. She wasn’t in this relationship. She could give me some outsider perspective—something I lacked before and got blindsided by.

“Woah. Are you happy about this relationship?”

“Yes…”

“That doesn’t sound convincing.”

“I am, I swear. They both make me happier than I’ve been in a long while. But didn’t you hear everything I just listed?”

“I did,” Rory replies, her eyes softening with a look that I haven’t associated with her before. “And the only thing that matters is whether they make you happy. Everything else can be figured out.”

“Rory,” I let my full scepticism show. “You know that’s not how it works.”