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Fred’s mate, Isabel, was a woman with long black hair and an impeccable posture that seemed to be about Lyra’s age. She nodded along with her mate, her hand settling on his thigh in agreement.
“It’s not fair for all of us to have to live this way. I don’t want our children growing up not able to embrace both sides of their rich histories.”
Everyone looked at the children giggling on the floor between them. They were all so sweet and innocent. Isabel was right; no child should have to grow up that way.
Everyone had agreed they would confront the main council in unison. They would meet again once the council came to a decision. For the rest of the evening, they spoke of lighter subjects, getting to know each other in a way that only shifters mixed with humans were able to.
Lyra put Marigold to bed just as everyone departed. She dozed against her shoulder as she said goodbye to the new friends whom she hoped she would have for life. A few of the women gave Marigold a light kiss, with Lyra exchanging kisses of her own with the tired tykes headed out the door.
They stood at the threshold together, waving to all of the new shifters they’d just met. Timber held her hand as the day faded into dusk. She wasn't afraid of the night for the first time since she’d arrived. No, she was no longer alone.
Timber and Marigold were her lanterns.
THIRTY-FIVE
TIMBER
The bear council was set to meet at midday a few days after the shifters and their human mates had met at Timber’s residence. He felt confident for the first time in a long time, and it had everything to do with Lyra, his stunning and spectacular mate, standing by his side.
They walked into headquarters with Timber leading the charge. Lyra firmly held his hand, wearing a long fitted plaid dress with an equally stylish beige jacket. Her hair looked almost rosy in the glow of afternoon light, long and cascading down the front of her shoulders like an elegant tapestry.
He felt that her confidence had blossomed too. She walked with an air of self-assurance that he had detected glimpses of when they’d first met, except then, it was a show for his affection. She moved in powerful strides that made him want her keenly. Gripping Lyra’s hand, feeling her standing tall as her heels clicked against the glossy floors of the council hall, Timber felt both his heart and cock were as strong and firm as ever.
The rest of the shifters and their mates trailed behind him, loyal soldiers following closely. They all sat together in their courtroom-like seats while Timber and Lyra stood directly in front of the council stage, waiting for the members to ascend from their chambers.
Timber kept his hand hooked around Lyra’s. He felt both of their pulses beating through their skin, syncing into one tapping tune. They looked at each other at the same time, with Lyra giving him a sexy smirk.
“Let’s do this,” she mouthed.
The doors of the chambers opened, and all of the shifters, plus their mates, stood at attention. The members wore their traditional bear council robes as they climbed to their posts, regarding Timber as they approached.
Devlen, Elias, Jameson, and Callum were all present. Callum was at the center, gazing down at Lyra, then scanning the other shifters and their mates with a preemptive scowl.
“Good afternoon, everyone,” Callum announced, taking a seat.
“Good afternoon.”
Lyra and Timber spoke at the same time. Elias drew down his brows, looking back and forth between the other members. He didn’t like that Lyra was standing there at the front. Her kind was not well thought of by some bear shifters.
But Timber had meant it when he told her he wasn’t going to hide her anymore. That life was over.
“This council meeting has come into session at approximately 12:03 p.m.,” Jameson said, slamming the gavel and marking notes on his tablet. “The meeting was proposed by one Timber Mahogany, leader of the Montana Maul.”
Callum sighed, then leaned back into his chair. Timber gave Lyra’s hand a squeeze, then stepped forward, crossing his hands in front of him formally. He still felt her breath, her heartbeat, her essence behind him, carrying him forward everywhere he went.
“I have somewhat of an idea about what you called this meeting for,” Callum said, his lips tight and nearly disappearing into his face. “I see that you have brought a few friends with you this time.”
“Here, here!” one of the shifters called out.
“Order, order!” Devlen slammed the gavel. “This meeting is between the leader of the Montana Maul and the bear council. No constituents are set to participate.”
Timber couldn’t hold back his broad, childlike smile. Callum wasn’t a fan of it.
“And what is it exactly that you are so happy about, good leader?” he said, leaning forward in his chair. “You have yet to make your proposal to the council.”
Timber turned, then waved his hand over the various shifters and women who sat in the pew-like stands beyond him. He felt he was so big and tall it was as if he could touch the sky with his fingertips.
“The spectators you see before you today are all my friends, yes, but not only that, we share a unique and painful bond; we have all been forced into hiding the true nature of our love.”
