have a deep magic that dwells within you. A way to connect with a primal place where another part of you lives.”
“I never thought of it like that.” Caleb put his hand on his stomach, as if he could feel his bear as a part of him. “I didn’t know that’s what the fae thought.”
“Most of them don’t.” Her lips twitched at his confusion. “Not anymore. My Grandma Hannah told me all this. She said that the prejudice is so old that most fae don’t even remember why they don’t like shifters. In place of the real reasons, they’ve made up new excuses.”
“They think we’re beneath you because we shift into an animal. But really they are jealous that we have the ability.” Caleb’s brows furrowed together. “That’s crazy.”
“I know. The other crazy thing is that shifters seem to sense this mix-up in the fae which is why they distrust them.” She tilted her head to one side as his eyes widened.
“That’s messed up but probably true.” He flopped down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. “I would like to meet your grandma.”
“Okay.” Elise lay down next to him.
Caleb shifted his weight and leaned on his elbow to stare down at her. “You mean I can actually meet her?”
“Yes. If you want to meet my family, let’s start with my Grandma Hannah. She lives on the edge of the wildwood. In a little cabin. Most people call her a witch since she has mastered more magic than most other fae ever do.”
“When?” Caleb asked.
“Soon.” She lowered herself up to a sitting position. “As soon as we have the house straight and I’m settled at work.”
“What else do we need to do with the house?” Caleb asked.
“You are eager.” She left the bedroom and went downstairs. “Karros.”
“In here.” Karros seemed filled with sorrow as she entered the living room where he was going through family photographs.
“Are you okay?” She sat down next to him on the sofa that had once belonged to Valerie. It was faded but clean and still comfortable.
Caleb touched his fingertips to the fabric. He and his brothers used to sit on the sofa and watch TV on the few days when they couldn’t go outside and play. Usually when it rained, and Valerie banned them from going outside and getting wet. She hadn’t wanted them to catch a chill and come home dripping like a pack of wet dogs.
“I’m fine.” He ran his fingers over a photograph. “Do you remember this?”
“It’s you and me and Mom and Dad. It’s the first time Dad took us hunting in the wildwood. He gave us each a bow and quiver of arrows.” She passed the photograph to Caleb.
He took it and stared at the happy faces of the two children in the picture before he studied the proud expression of their father, who stood with his arm around their mother. It was the perfect family photograph.
“You look so happy.”
“It was before my father...” Karros didn’t continue but Caleb glanced at Elise for an explanation.
“It was before our father invested in a friend’s company that lost all of its money. That’s when our fortunes changed, and he became obsessed with Karros and me marrying into money.” She wiped a tear from her cheek. “Have we let him down?”
“No.” Karros slipped his arm around her shoulders. “You have a mate and that proves you were right to come here. As for me... I’ve been sitting here staring at that photo and the one thing I realized was that fate sent me a message when Flora met Aiden. That wasn’t my path.”
“What is your path?” Elise asked.
“I have no idea.” He gave a hollow laugh. “But I’m hoping I’ll know it when I see it, just like you knew Caleb was your mate when you saw him.”
“I think you’ll do all right, Karros.” Caleb handed the photograph back to him. “I’m glad you’re a part of my family now. And if you need any help with the yard, just give me a shout. I’ll help all I can.”
“Thanks.” Karros stood up and crossed the room, placing the photograph down on the sideboard they had positioned along the wall in the living room. “I might take you up on your offer. I have no idea where to buy plants from, let alone all the tools I’ll need.”
“Aiden and I probably have the tools you need. Tomorrow, while Elise is at the hotel, you could come and take a look. We have