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“Sorry, but I’m not in love with my brother,” I joked with a wink.
Lia let go of my hand and shoved me lightly. “You know what I mean, damn it.”
That I did, and I also understood what she was saying, except my mind hadn’t thought the same way until she’d said something.
I’d been okay with all the alone time I’d been having with Grayson. More than okay, in fact. I’d been thriving from our bond, feeling stronger and more capable with every day that passed. The well of energy inside me seemed to grow with every hour I spent with my mate.
It seemed selfish, but very necessary at the same time.
We got to the park, and she headed straight for a big oak in the middle that would provide us some shade from the midday sun.
Once we were both settled on the ground, her foot kicked mine. “So, are you ready to dish about all the amazing sex? I mean, one of us should, and since Markus is your brother, it probably shouldn’t be me.”
I choked a little at that. As much as I already considered Markus family, I hadn’t yet been grossed out by him being mated to my first and only friend. That small mercy was now completely shattered.
Though, I wouldn’t deny I was glad on some level to have confirmation of their bond. They both deserved the kind of joy I was currently experiencing with Grayson.
“Yeah…” I said flatly. “Let’s not talk about you. Please.”
She smirked and tossed her midnight-colored hair to one side. “Then, please, tell me all the things that have happened toyou.”
I glanced around to make sure we hadn’t been joined by anyone yet, then sighed like a fool. “If I’d known sex could be that…energizing, I would have found a way to get laid much sooner.” My face contorted as the words left a sour taste in my mouth. “On second thought, maybe I wouldn’t have changed a thing, even if I’d known.”
“There’s nothing wrong with having waited for your mate, even if you hadn’t realized that was what would happen,” Lia said with a swoony sigh. “So, you’re happy with him? The bond isn’t forcing you to do anything you’re not okay with?”
Her question made my chest ache. Mostly because when she’d said “the bond,” I assumed she’d really meant Grayson and while he might have been scary as fuck at times, he’d never once made me feel pressured to do anything I hadn’t wanted to.
She waved a hand between us. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to overstep. I just had to be sure.”
I reached for her, softly squeezing her hand. “I appreciate the concern, but I promise, I haven’t done anything I didn’t want. Badly.”
Lia laughed, the sound ringing around us like soft bells. “That’s what I want to hear. Tell me more.”
My head shook, and I grinned widely. “I didn’t come out here to talk about my sex life…or yours. How about you tell me how you’re feeling with all this? People know you exist now after however many years you’ve worked to keep your identity a secret. That can’t be easy to process.”
Her face tilted up toward the sky, and a peaceful smile appeared on her umber face. “You know, I didn’t think it would be easy, either, but it has been. At least so far. I haven’t done anything that I regret. Maybe it’s time for the world to change again. For the people who have remained hidden to show the rest of the supernaturals that there isn’t anything to be feared.”
Since meeting Lia, Grayson had told me how the unicorns had been hunted for their unique powers. When the groups realized they couldn’t control the shifters, they’d decided the beautiful creatures shouldn’t exist. They’d had no right to make that decision, but fear made a lot of people do stupid shit sometimes.
“I hope you’re right,” I said. “But more importantly, I just hope you’re okay with your choice. I’m more than thankful that you’ve saved me numerous times now, but I don’t want the price of those actions to be too high for you, either.”
“Just like you, I haven’t done anything I didn’t want to,” she said while standing back up. “Now, if we’re not going to talk about the good stuff, I’m going to kick your ass instead.”
Laughter bubbled up from deep within me as I followed her movements. “That’s, uh, quite the threat.”
Light-silver energy began to shimmer around her. “I’m quite the unicorn.”
Before she launched herself at me, I stepped back and shifted into my wolf. The transition came easier than ever before, and when I landed on all fours, there was a white magical charge around me.
“Holy shit,” Lia murmured as she tiptoed closer. “What… I don’t even know what I should be asking.”
She and I both. All I could see were my paws and tail, but that was enough to have my chest tightening as I wished more than ever that Grayson was with me.
Lia reached for my fur, and when she touched me, the magic around me slid up her arm briefly before retreating back.
“Fascinating,” Lia whispered.
My wolf yipped, needing her to elaborate.
