Fae-ted to the Bear - Harmony Raines Page 0,68

her hand under his arm. “Come on, let’s go outside.”

Karros looked up at her as if he had no idea who she was then he blinked and nodded. “Fresh air might help.”

“I think so.” She glanced sideways at Caleb who winked.

“I feel numb,” Karros admitted as they walked to the end of the yard and sat down on a wooden bench that looked as if it might fall apart at any moment.

“This is a shock.” She leaned forward and rested her elbow on her knee. “Are you okay about it?”

“About having a shifter as a mate?” He stared at her for a long moment before he blinked. “Our parents are going to go crazy.”

She took hold of his hand and threaded her fingers through his. “At least we’re in this completely and utterly together. They’ll have to disinherit both of us.”

“I don’t care so much about that,” Karros confessed. “I just know how happy they were when Flora agreed to marry me. I ruined their dreams once.”

“We should tell them soon,” Elise agreed. “Because knowing Grandma, she’s probably already busy arranging marriage number two.”

“I told them not to.” Karros rubbed his hand over his eyes. “When I broke the news about Flora, after their initial shock and anger, Dad said they would figure something else out. That he’d call Grandma Sylvie and get her to find me another wife.”

“I had no idea.” Elise squeezed his hand. “You never said.”

“I wasn’t marrying Flora for any other reason than I loved her.” His eyes sparkled with tears. “I never just wanted to marry for the sake of getting married, I wanted to get married for love.”

“And now you have found the truest of love.” She sat up and wrapped her arms around him. “We’re incredibly lucky.”

He raked a hand through his hair and chuckled. “It’s starting to sink in.”

“Zara seems nice. Did you get a chance to talk to her while we were out?” Elise stared at the house. Had Caleb asked Zara about any potential stalker ex-boyfriends?

“A little. Mostly we just sat and held hands and stared into each other’s eyes. It’s like we didn’t need words.” He covered his face with his hands. “Is this even real?”

“It’s very real.” She leaned back and inhaled, the air was warm and carried the scent of pine. “So incredibly real.”

“The weirdest thing was that when we left Wishing Moon Bay as we were driving here, I knew I was still in love with Flora. It was like a burning pain in the pit of my stomach. I was worried I would never get over her and find a way to be happy.”

“And now?”

“Now...” He hesitated. “It’s going to sound shallow, but it’s gone. The intense love I had for Flora has changed, it’s muted, like the love for a best friend.”

“That’s how it’s supposed to be.” She turned her face to the sun. “I wish we were here for a vacation rather than because your mate is in danger.”

Karros clenched his hands into fists. “I’m not a violent man but right now, if I could get my hands on whoever is stalking her, I would tear them apart.”

“Caleb’s right, we must have shifter blood in our family.”

“He said that?” Karros asked.

“Yeah. Although, I think it’s probably simply the connection we have with our mates. We are connected and that connection links us on a deeper level.”

“So, we’ll become more shifter-like, and they’ll become more fae-like.” He grinned. “I like that idea.”

“Me, too.” She jerked upright as the kitchen door opened and Caleb appeared. “What’s wrong?”

“Oscar called Aiden with an update.” Caleb beckoned to them and she got up from the bench and turned to offer her hand to Karros.

“Wait.” Karros stood up and pulled her toward him. “In case things get a little crazy, I want you to know that I’m happy we’re in this together.”

“You mean that we’re both going to disappoint our family?”

“No, that we can share this experience together. You and me.” He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close.

“I couldn’t ask for a better brother, Karros. I want you to know that.” She hugged him back. “And we’re all here for you and Zara. Anything you need, either now or in the future, we’re here for you.”

“Back at you.” He let her go and stood up straight. “Let’s go in. I hope we have a lead because I’m going to explode if I don’t figure this out.”

“If we don’t figure this out,” Elise reminded him.

“Go, team.” Karros