Page 63 of Protected By the Wolf

I clung to Bruno. His dad was the biggest guy I’d ever seen. He was all muscle and clearly used to intimidating others. Yet, on looking around the room, his children were trying to hide their smiles and shaking their heads.

I felt a tickle in my mind, and when I focused on it, I heard Bruno say, How are you doing, my love?

An onslaught of thoughts and feelings rushed through me at his words. I was so startled by his voice in my head that I let go of him for a second, but when he said ‘my love,’ I melted. He had turned around when I let go and now drew me into his arms, placing my head on his chest.

Lira, sweetheart, would you like to leave?

No, I was just startled. I’d like to stay.

Okay. Just let me know if it gets to be too much.

I nodded and gave him a tight squeeze. He planted a kiss on my head, and I liked that we were able to communicate without others listening in on us.

Turning us around to face his family again, Bruno said, “Everyone, this is Lira. Lira, these are my parents, Theodore and Alia.”

Theodore was leaning heavily on Alia. “Lira, I’m sorry for startling you. My patience is low right now.” His voice was a rolling grumble that filled the room, but he smiled as he said it, and I relaxed a little.

Next to him was another couple. Jill waved to me. “It’s nice to see you again, Lira. This is Luc.” She pointed to the guy next to her. “My mate. And you know Becca. Next to her is Brandon, her mate.”

“You know me too,” Millie said, which made everyone laugh. That brought my anxiety down a little. She gestured at the man beside her. “And this is Jacob.”

“It’s really nice to finally meet you, Lira,” Jacob said.

I saw him put his arm around Millie and pull her in close, and my heart warmed. Millie seemed so comfortable with him.

“I’m Dredge,” said another tall, broad male standing off to the side.

“He’s the ancient one,” a woman with purple hair said, which elicited another round of laughter. “And I’m Sandy. I help my mom keep these boys in line.”

“Who keeps you in line?” Luc asked.

“I do,” Theodore said, and that elicited the biggest laugh.

“And I keep him in line,” Miti said, pointing at Theodore.

“That she does.” Theodore’s laugh filled the whole room.

I was starting to warm up to the family. Everyone seemed to get along well. I hadn’t felt this warmth between siblings and parents in so long.

“Lira,” Theodore said, bringing me out of my reverie. “Miti says you have some news for us.”

I sat up straight, feeling Bruno’s hand tighten on mine. You’ve got this, sweetheart.

“I do, but I’m not sure what use it will be.” I told them about me finding out I was a witch a year ago. This in itself made everyone lean forward. I then told them about the house I found, as well as the grove, Charli, and finally, of Miti’s visit.

“Of course, Miti paid you a visit,” Jacob said.

“Is that normal?” I asked.

“It sure is,” Bruno said. “She never tells any of us what’s going on till the very last minute. Isn’t that right, Miti?”

“No one needs to worry until I have all the information. And as all the information is now here, I would like to ask while we are all together that the two of you refrain from talking in your minds to each other. It’s rude while we’re trying to share information.”

There were gasps all around the room at this announcement. All of a sudden, everyone in the room was asking us “When did this happen?” and “How are you able to do that?” Which then led to more questions: “Why can’t the rest of us do this?” and “Is it because you’re a witch?” to finally, “That’s so cool!” The last one being from Millie.

“Hush! All of you!” Miti said. “Us family members can already do it with each other, so I don’t know why this is such a surprise to you.”

“But not with our mates,” Brandon said.

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