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Leland pats my arm again. “She won’t be able to control herself without you. And you won’t realize your full potential without her. No rush, it seems like you’ve got a handle on things for now, but it’s something to think about, Wren.”
So it is my fear of her that is causing the barrier to continue. Of fucking course it is. It doesn’t help that she is legitimately terrifying. Maybe I can find a way of communicating with her more directly.
It’s unspoken, but we both know our meeting is all but complete. Rising together, Leland embraces me and, when he lets go, he holds my head to his as he had with Oz. “I am pleased to call you daughter. Welcome to your new family Wren.”
Family…
They are exactly that, a family.
It looks different, but it feels the same, if not better.
Because they aremine.
Mymakerandmymate are behind closed doors. It shouldn’t worry me, but it does. I pace a concerned line in the living room. Rolando tries to distract me, but I wave him away. I hadn’t expected Wren’s first meeting with Leland to be solo. She is so shy… Anxiety pits my stomach. I can’t hear much beyond the door. Most of our home has been fitted with additional layers of soundproofing. When a lot of us gather in one place, it is quite necessary. Something I’m sure the rest of the house is glad for now that I have Wren.
This is as much her home as it is mine. I’m sure Leland would welcome her to it, he is ever the man of chivalry and honor. The times we come from are so ingrained in him that sometimes I wonder if he truly realizes how much the world has changed. I try to slow my thoughts and reach out through the bond to see if I can understand what Wren is thinking. She isn’t closed in concentration now as she had been earlier.
Anxiety.
Mild terror.
I sigh, going slowly insane.
Rolando places a solid hand on my shoulder. “Oz, she’s not such a delicate thing. Relax, she’ll be fine.”
He’s right, I'm being ridiculous. I sit on the couch and run my hands through my hair. “I don’t know why it’s like this. I feel like I need to be there, protecting her.”
“From Leland?”
“No.” Not from Leland. He would never harm someone important to me, especially not someone I’ve bonded with in such a way.
Rolando doesn’t press the issue, but I can tell he’s annoyed with me. My son isn’t usually one to hold his tongue. I’m not just being ridiculous, am I? I amenthralled. Groaning, I force my body to lean back and relax, one muscle at a time. It takes focus, I close out everything else in the room. There is just me. Forced silence deafens me, and I take a few deep breaths.
I can hear a loud bout of laughter coming from the study. Leland and Wren laughing together. The last knots in my back release. She is doing fine, I’m worried for no reason. I shouldn’t be surprised in the least. Her compassion, ability to see into people for who they are, and sense of humor are the three things I love most about her.
Well, most about her personality.
Christ, what is wrong with me?
Rolando sits beside me in silence for a long while. His presence is a reminder to keep my shit together. It’s working, and I am much calmer now than I had been when they went in. I hear the door handle jiggle as my maker and mate came out, smiling.
I’m on my feet in less than a second.
Leland has his hand on the middle of Wren’s back as he guides her into the living room. He takes her hand and bows, kissing the back of it. “It was a pleasure speaking with you, Wren. Now if you will indulge a very old man, I’d like to have a few words with Oz before I return him to you.”
My turn.
“Of course.” Her tone is warm and happy, and it fills me with contentment to see her this way. I don’t like the darkness when it clouds her view of herself. Turning to me, she places a quick peck on my cheek. “See you in a bit,” she says before taking my spot on the couch beside Rolando.
Not soon enough, I whisper in her mind.
Entering Leland’s study, I take in the glasses on his liquor tray. That’s not a bad idea. I help myself to a scotch and sit in the chair beside Leland’s. It smells like Wren. My father tops off his bourbon and folds himself heavily onto his chair. He pinches between his brow before taking a deep swig of liquor, then another.
He seems older.
“What’s wrong?” I don’t like seeing him weak.
“I’m tired, Oz. Being the leader of the ruling coven here has taken its toll, and I’m afraid I have to set out again in a day or so.” He stares into the flames. The cheerful mask he so carefully crafted is missing. I’ve known Leland longer than anyone in our coven. I’ve been at his side for almost an entire millennium. He lets himself go when he is with me, trusting I will keep his secrets.
