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She wanted to argue and tell her mother there was more to this, but they didn't have the time. And she was too tired to say much.
"Mom, I just …"
"Lyra," her mother cut her off, "go with him. Whatever problems you have, I'm sure you two can talk it out and fix them. And if you don't, I don't care. I just want you to be safe."
Worry hung heavily over her mother, and she wouldn't stop until Lyra agreed to go. And she wanted to. She wanted that security as well.
She gave her mother a nod. "All right, I'll go. But I'll call you."
Her mother nodded. "Good."
They packed up all of Marigold's and Lyra’s stuff and headed out to the car. She gave her mother a hug, still feeling a little uneasy.
"You shouldn't have lied to me," she said as she pulled back. "And when this all settles down, we are going to have a conversation."
No, she shouldn't have lied to her mother, and when she got back home, she would willingly talk to her. She gave her a tight hug before she slipped free, jumping into Timber's truck.
She relaxed into the seat as he started the engine. She looked outside the window taking in her mother's house. She swallowed, nervous.
"Everything is going to be okay," Timber said, giving her hand a squeeze.
She knew it was, but that didn't mean she wouldn't worry. She looked at him while he backed out.
"You came for me …" she whispered to him …"You came."
"Of course I did." He glanced at her. "I meant what I said."
She smiled, and for a moment, she felt happy. But their relationship was still confusing. She didn't want to be hidden away like before.
"Just because I'm going doesn't mean I'm happy with you keeping our relationship secret. I don't want a relationship like that."
He looked at her, and his hand reached out, grabbing hers. "It's not. It's out in the open. That's why they were going after you. It was because they know I'm with you."
She felt her lips form an O, but no sound came out. She gave his hand a tight grip in return.
"They are trying to figure out a way to get rid of me. I'm not going to let that happen, but we aren't hiding anymore." He dropped his gaze to her. "I'm not going to ever make you hide our relationship again."
It made her heart leap that he didn't want to keep their love a secret anymore. She smiled back at him, ready to face things together.
"We just have to figure out what we want to do. I know the council isn't going to let this go. We won't go down without a fight."
She thought about it and looked at Marigold. She watched her drift off to sleep. She looked back at Timber. "We can't be the only ones."
He looked at her, confused. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, you can't be the only bear shifter that is with a human. It's not possible."
He blinked and licked his lips, thinking about it.
"You’re right! There have to be others like us. I told the council that,” he replied. “There are surely other couples out there that are keeping their relationships a secret from the council. We just have to find them." If they banded together, they could maybe change the council’s mind.
"It's a thought," she offered. "Or do you think it's crazy?"
He shook his head. "It's not crazy. It's really smart, actually."
She felt proud the rest of the drive. And when they arrived at his house, she found she'd missed it. She smiled. He leaned over, pulled her toward him, and kissed her. She moaned. She had forgotten how much she loved kissing him.
"Tomorrow, I will get started on looking for other couples. But for tonight, I don't want to even think about that."
