“I don’t see why we’d have to,” she replied, not even looking at Ari. Christine gestured to get Ari’s attention, mouthing words at her in an attempt to get her to leave before she said anything else.
“Mum, did you know that Evan shifted for the first time?” Christine asked, drawing their parent’s attention to her litter. Ari pushed back her chair as quietly as she could and fled the room while her Mum was distracted. Though Christine’s distraction hadn’t worked on their Dad, and she could feel him watching her as she left the room. She knew he was concerned, but given the tears that were threatening to fall, it was probably best that she didn’t turn around to reassure him.
12
Bjorn paced back and forth in the living room of Ari’s flat, worried despite himself. She’d given him a key and told him to make himself comfortable when they’d left earlier. Yet, while he knew that she was safe and with her family, he just couldn’t seem to shake the idea that she needed him.
He sat down at her table, pulling out some notes from one of his cases. If there was no chance of him getting any rest, then he might as well put his time to good use and do some work, at least until she got home. He smirked to himself as he thought about what they’d be doing once she got back; he probably wouldn’t get much rest then either.
He grimaced as he read one of his most recent briefs; a wife who thought her husband was cheating on her, but needed proof for a divorce. He hated cases like that, they made him feel like true love wasn’t real any more. But today, it also made him thankful that Ari would never have to feel like this woman did. He didn’t want to look at another woman, nor did he feel the need to. More than that, he actually couldn’t. Even before they’d actually finished the mating process, he’d known that she as the one for him and that was all it took for his interest in other women to fade. Not that he’d ever been overly interested in them anyway; at least, not for anything more than sex. It seemed a little callous, even to him, but after his family had died, he’d known that the only person he’d risk feeling anything for ever again was his mate. If he was lucky enough to find her. Bjorn leaned back in his chair, sighing and pushing a hand over his face. It seemed that work wasn’t going to happen, especially if something as disheartening as a cheating husband was making him think of Ari. He was love struck and there was no way to deny it.
He stood up, stretching his arms above his head as he did and decided to investigate Ari’s flat a bit more. He hadn’t been paying much attention to his surroundings when they’d come back last night, nor when they’d been getting ready to leave that morning; she was far too distracting for that. Just thinking about their morning together, and the night before, had him revved up and ready to go again, which was all very well, but without Ari around, it was a bit of a waste.
The flat was like Ari; modern, functional and with slight hints at femininity that she’d deny if anyone picked up on, but each one made Bjorn smile. The flat was big for a single woman in her thirties, but considering how good Ari was at her job, the luxury it provided wasn’t particularly surprising. He knew that she made a lot, probably more than he did, and he knew that she worked hard for every penny, and that wasn’t likely to change. Nor did he want it to. Ari loved her job, and it was important to her, and so it was important to him. And if cubs came along and she wanted to keep working, then he’d happily give up his job as a PI. He only did it to keep himself busy as it was. He smiled to himself as he walked into the spare room and saw a bunk bed with plain white sheets. He imagined their children in the room, with his dark eyes and Ari’s auburn hair. The mischievous sparkle in their eyes would be all her too, though he hoped they’d be boys; he didn’t think he’d be able to deal with the protective urges a girl would bring out in him. Especially if she looked anything like her mother did. He’d read to them every night, play football with them or take them horse riding, though on second thought, there was a chance that the horses wouldn’t like them much with their predator shifter side. It probably wouldn’t matter to the beasts if they were foxes or bears either. He’d never really considered children before, but his imaginings were filling him with a content feeling that he hadn’t felt in years, if ever.
He moved away from the spare room and into another one, this one slightly smaller, and with a tidy desk inside. From the state of it, he doubted that Ari ever used it, which suited him just fine; he could take it over when she asked him to move in full time. There was also a running machine, with a discarded plastic bottle to the side and an iPod plugged in next to it. A grin broke across Bjorn’s face; this should sort his restlessness. As a shifter, he needed to regularly burn off the excess energy that he didn’t get to use by shifting; one of the perils of modern living. Then again, it was nothing compared to the perils of living in the wild. He pushed aside the heartache that always came with thoughts of his family, and quickly stripped down to his boxers in order to take a run.
13
Ari heard someone approaching from behind her, but didn’t react until her Dad sat down beside her. She’d hidden herself away in the treehouse the two of them had built when she was a little girl. Christine had been more interested in playing with dolls than playing outside, but looking back, Ari appreciated the time she’d spent alone with her Dad. It had enabled her and Christine to develop their own personalities, even if they were twins. Ari pulled her legs up and wrapped her arms around them, as the two of them sat in silence for a few moments.
“She just needs some time.”
“I doubt it.” She couldn’t help the moping tone in her voice.
“She’ll get used to it.” He put his arm around her and she leaned her head on his shoulder, appreciating the support he always gave. “I mean she’ll have to, considering he’s your mate and all.” He chuckled slightly, though Ari wasn’t too sure why.
“I never said that,” she countered quickly, trying to recall if she’d even hinted about Bjorn being her mate.
“You didn’t have to. I know how important your work is to you, and your seat on the Council. If this man wasn’t your mate, then we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” She didn’t know why she was surprised that her Dad knew her so well, he’d always been able to see through her.
“He had the rules changed for me,” she admitted quietly, a part of her was still in disbelief over how far Bjorn had gone for her.
“About mated Council members?” He shifted his head so that he was looking at her and she nodded, causing her Dad to smile. “Good, you deserve someone like that.” He kissed the top of her head.
“He’s a lot like you.” Her Dad chuckled.
“Ah, maybe not someone like that then.” But she could hear the smile in his voice. “You know, I think I like him already.”
“You would Dad. It’s just Mum I’m worried about it.”
“Like I said sweetheart, only until she gets used to the idea,” he sounded resigned. “It’s just part of how she grew up. Her parents were very traditional, and she still has some of those views, even if they’re outdated.”
“I know.” And she did. She’d known enough of her grandparents to know that some of her Mum’s more traditional views weren’t really her fault. “And she’ll be fine with it until we have children. Then we’ll be having this conversation all over again when she discovers they’re not foxes.”
“Do you really think your Mum will love her grandchildren any less just because they’re not foxes? Trust me, Ari. She’ll love them no matter what they are, whether that’s a wolf, tiger or hawk.” He smiled reassuringly at her.
“Bears,” she whispered, “They’d be bears.” That wasn’t technically true. There’d only been a handful of mixed shifter matings that Ari knew about, and there didn’t seem to be any pattern in which parent the children took after when they shifted. But the idea of her children being bears just seemed right to her. She wondered whether it was the after effects of the night before that had her thinking like that, or if it was some kind of premonition. She pushed
the thought away; shifters didn’t have premonitions, it wasn’t part of their magic.
“See, now we’re getting somewhere.” He smiled bigger this time, his true personality showing through now that she was opening up to him. “So, does your bear shifter have a name?”
“Bjorn Hendricks.” His eyes widened in surprise.
“The Council member?” Ari bit her lip nervously. Not many people knew the Council’s true identities, and her Dad only knew through her, but she imagined that a lot of shifters might see it as a scandal when they learned of Ari and Bjorn’s relationship.
“He quit,” she added quickly.
“For you?” She nodded. “Good.”
“He’s a good man, Dad.”
“I don’t doubt that. I didn’t raise you to pick a bad one.” He pulled her closer to him again.
“I don’t think I really had a choice.” She sighed, thinking back to the moment she’d first met Bjorn. If she was honest with herself, it was the same moment that she’d known he’d change her life completely; even if she hadn’t wanted to admit that at the time.
“Well I’m looking forward to meeting him. Why don’t you arrange for the two of us to have a drink tomorrow night? Maybe if he meets me first, he won’t be as terrified of your Mum when he meets her.” He chuckled at his joke, and a small laugh escaped from Ari too, her dull spirits lifting slightly at the prospect. She had no doubt that after meeting Bjorn, her Dad would talk him up to the rest of her family and they’d see what an amazing man he was too.
“Okay, I think he’d like that.” Her Dad rose to his feet and offered her his hand. She took it and he pulled her to his feet beside him before enveloping her in a hug.
“Get home safe sweetheart, and don’t worry about it. I’ll talk to your Mum.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“And I look forward to meeting Bjorn tomorrow. Text me about it.” He let her go, and jumped deftly down from the tree house, still surprisingly spry for an ageing shifter. Not that anyone would be able to tell he was old enough to have four grown children. Shifters aged slowly, so while he did look older that Ari, he could still pass for his early thirties. She stayed in the tree house a few minutes longer, watching as her Dad disappeared back into the house.
Slowly, she made her way down the ladder and across to where she’d parked her car. It was only when she was sat in her seat and ready to turn the ignition, that she realised she’d asked Bjorn to wait for her at her flat. After that, it was only her increased senses and fast reflexes that allowed her to get home safely.
14
Time had ticked on, and Bjorn had found himself nodding off on the sofa in Ari’s living room, despite his desperation to stay awake for when she got back. But the moment he heard the sound of a key in the door, he was alert, anticipation thrumming through his veins. He wasn’t even sure what it was he was so excited about, other than the prospect of seeing her again. They’d been sleeping together for months, so it definitely wasn’t the novelty of sex with her, though he had to admit, that still came in a close second. Instead, he felt like this night was important to the two of them; almost like it as the first night of something new.
The moment Ari stepped through the door, Bjorn’s heart sunk. His excitement wasn’t reflected in her face, in fact she looked pale, almost like she was ill. He rushed over to her and wrapped his arms around her without saying a word. She gripped his shirt tight in one fist, her other arm snaking around his back and holding him close. He wasn’t sure how long they stood there, still and unmoving, but he felt the moment her emotions changed. She stepped back, a weak smile on her face but her expression seeming more steady to him. She grabbed his hand and tugged him towards her room, but he shook his head.
“Talk to me,” he said quietly, knowing that if they didn’t talk now, then they probably wouldn’t until at least the morning. If at all, knowing Ari.
“It isn’t important,” she answered and tried to pull him towards the bedroom again. While she could hold her own in the courtroom and when she sat on the Council, he was physically stronger than she was, and didn’t budge. He’d never use his strength and size against her, but right now, he could use it to stop her from skating over the expression on her face when she’d opened the door. He cupped her face in his free hand and looked into her eyes, trying to convey all the love and support he could.
“Anything you’re feeling is important.” She sighed and broke eye contact, causing Bjorn’s heart to sink. He’d hoped that she’d tell him what was bothering her.
“It was just something my Mum said,” she muttered, but even that felt forced. He waited patiently, hoping that she’d continue on her own. She let go of his hand and slumped down on the sofa. Bjorn followed, taking a seat and opening his arms in the hope that she’d cuddle up to him. Thankfully, she did, resting her head on his shoulder before continuing, “Mum didn’t take the news that my mate isn’t a fox shifter very well,” she admitted. At first, all he could focus on was that her family might have a problem with him, but it soon sunk in that if her Mum hadn’t reacted well, then she had to have told them.
“Will she change her mind?” he asked, his voice low and soothing. Or at least, he hoped it was.
“Eventually. Dad wants to meet you though.” She perked up a bit at that and he smiled to himself. He’d expected it to take more time for her to accept their relationship and tell other people about it, but it seemed like he’d been wrong.
“Really?” He could hear the excitement in his own voice, but he didn’t care. He’d do anything to make her happy.
“Yes. He wants to go for a drink, just the two of you, tomorrow night.”
“Does he know I’m a bear?” he asked, cautious of the fact she’d said her Mum didn’t approve and wondering if her Dad shared the same opinion.
“Yes, but he didn’t have the same upbringing as Mum did. He’s always been more open minded. You’ll like him, the two of you are alike.” Ari looked up at him, her big pale eyes filled with a mix of pride and love, and he leaned down to kiss her gently.
“I look forward to meeting him,” he said honestly after they broke the kiss. She smiled again, looking more like herself than when she’d first got home.
“Can we go to bed?” she asked and he nodded, knowing from the suggestive grin on her face that the conversation was well and truly over; not that he minded now that she’d opened up.
15
Ari finished her final case report and sent it to her boss, knowing that it was another well fought case. While she hadn’t seen anything in the notes that suggested there was a paranormal behind the crime, it had been clear to her that the man on trial had been wrongly accused. Unfortunately, her intuition, and ability to read people better than most, weren’t admissible court evidence. It had been a close call, but the jury had seen through the prosecutor’s case, and Ari had won again. Except that this time, it didn’t bring the same elated feeling as normal; probably because she was so distracted.
Her thoughts were all over the place and she just couldn’t seem to get them straight. When she thought of Bjorn, her heart raced and she almost wanted to break into song; not that that would have been pleasant for anyone around her. But her Mum’s reaction was still bothering her, and with good reason. She wasn’t going to leave Bjorn. In reality, she probably couldn’t leave Bjorn. She’d certainly never heard of mates breaking apart in the past, it just wasn’t like marriage. So, if her Mum wouldn’t come around, then Ari would face losing her family, and that wasn’t something that sat comfortably with her either.
She sighed, shutting down her computer and shrugging on her coat, hoping that the short walk home would help clear her head. She’d purposefully bought a flat near her office, but even so, she enjoyed walking, it was a chance to let the issues of the day slide away. Of course, before Bjorn had come along, all she’d done when she’d got home was work more, unless she had a Council meeting. Even after they’d started sleeping together, nine times out of ten s
he’d just ended up working. Mostly due to her misguided attempt to keep their sex life separate from their actual lives. She’d known from early on that the two of them had been playing with fire, and she’d been even more certain when Kem had come back to the Council room and told them that he was already mated. It was voicing her knowledge that all mates had to do to start the mating process was meet, that made her realise there was no going back. Though even if they weren’t mates, Bjorn doing everything he could to have the rules changed would have been enough to convince her.
She smiled to herself, the stress of the case, and of her Mum’s biased opinions, slipping away and left her with only good thoughts of two nights ago. And of the night before, when Bjorn had held her as she slept; she didn’t think that she’d ever slept so soundly either. There was no doubt left that Bjorn was the one for her.
She climbed the stairs to her flat slowly, relishing the effects of the walk; it’d been a while since she’d shifted and a lot of the energy that shifting required had built up inside her. She idly wondered if Bjorn would mind her shifting in the flat. It was what she normally did, one of the advantages of being a smaller shifter. She’d change and run around, sometimes she even climbed on the furniture if she was feeling particularly mischievous. When she’d been growing up, her Mum had had a strict rule against being on the furniture in fox form, so even though she owned her own furniture now, it still felt like she was breaking the rules.
Thinking about shifting brought up thoughts of Bjorn, and she wondered how he dealt with the need to shift. It was fine for small shifters like her, they could shift inside and not be noticed by the human population, but shifters of Bjorn’s size didn’t have that luxury. Come to think of it, she didn’t even know how big Bjorn’s shifted form was. He was some kind of brown bear, whose animal cousin lived near Russia, but she didn’t know just how big they grew. Her curiosity piqued, and she started playing with the notion of asking him to shift for her. It seemed like that would be a big step, after all, she’d never shifted in front of anyone that wasn’t her family. Or at least, she hadn’t in front of anyone that realised she’d shifted; there’d probably been a handful of humans that had seen her in animal form and dismissed it as just another fox.
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