Fae-ted to the Bear - Harmony Raines Page 0,14
an eyebrow at her brother. She had learned his ways and was more than capable of pushing back.
“True,” Karros agreed.
“So what about you and your brother?” Elise asked.
“You mean Aiden? Because I have four other brothers. He just happens to be the only one related by blood,” Caleb reminded her.
“Let’s start with Aiden. We can work our way through the rest of them.” Elise would like to glean as much knowledge as possible about his family. Not only would it help her make an informed decision about Caleb but also help her learn how to handle Ivan. Hopefully.
“Aiden and I have a strong bond. We lost our parents and ended up in foster care before we were taken by a man who planned to sell us.”
“What?” Elise hadn’t expected this story. “Taken? You mean kidnapped?”
“Yes. Sort of. We were stolen from our foster parents and ended up in a small apartment. Luckily, the authorities found us, and we ended up here in Wishing Moon Bay. Valerie adopted us along with my other brothers.”
“That’s quite a story.” Elise shook her head. “I might not get along with my parents all the time, but I don’t know what I’d do without them.” She put her hand over Karros’s. “Do you?”
“No. Our parents have their faults, like most parents. But we owe them so much.”
“They’ve obviously raised you both to be free thinkers. I spent some time with Flora since she met Aiden and I have to say she was a little more...reserved.”
“Flora was raised to take over from her father and has always tried to please him even when that’s next to impossible. Our parents were more liberal. I didn’t plan to marry Flora for her wealth or her status, I genuinely love her. When she told me her parents were pushing her into an arranged marriage, I stepped forward because I knew I could make her happy.”
“Even though she didn’t love you in return?” Caleb asked.
“She did love me. Just not in the same way as I love her.” He ran his hand over his chin and stared out of the window.
“My brother wanted to do the right thing. He always does.” Elise’s heart ached for Karros. He’d been so sure he could find a way to make Flora love him. Once they were married, he would have spent the rest of his life trying to find a way. “Flora would have been lucky to have him as a husband.”
“I respect what you tried to do,” Caleb said.
“But she is better off with her mate.” Karros nodded. “Elise has told me she has feelings for you...”
“Karros!” She elbowed him in the ribs.
“You need to be honest with Caleb and yourself, Elise,” Karros replied.
“So you have feelings for me?” Caleb raised an eyebrow as he looked at her.
“Not feelings, as such. But I can sense you. When we were on the beach, I knew you were there.” She shrugged. “It’s kind of like a sixth sense. Something that’s just there. It’s not as if I’ve fallen in love at first sight,” she warned him.
“It’s a start.” Caleb grinned.
“It certainly is,” Elise replied.
Chapter Six – Caleb
Caleb pointed to a small collection of houses to their right. “This is it. The houses have been transformed into luxury apartments.”
“Wow, what a view.” Elise leaned forward and looked past Karros to the view of the ocean.
“It is stunning,” Karros agreed.
“My only issue so far is that we’re a little farther out of town than I’d have liked. I’ll be driving along this road in the dark when the winter comes. If I keep my job with Ivan.” She pressed her lips together. “Which reminds me, I’m going to need a car.”
“Yes, one car between the two of us is not going to cut it this far out of town,” Karros agreed.
“Shall we go have a look around?” Caleb parked the truck in a spot in front of the apartments.
“Yes. I don’t want to rule it out just because of the distance from town. I’d get up fifteen minutes earlier each day if the accommodation was worth it.” Elise shuffled across the seat as Karros got out of the truck.
“Wow, it’s stunning here.” She walked to the edge of the small parking area and looked out at the ocean below. “Your rock monsters will guard us against the rough ocean in a storm.” She half-turned to Caleb who joined her to look at the view.
“There’s nothing like the smell of the fresh ocean.” He inhaled deeply, catching