Page 22 of Fated Guardian

Nolan is nice to them. He’s nice to me. He’s a nice man, and nice men are nice to people.

End of story.

“I think it’s been fine to meet some pack members. Amara is really nice.”

“She and Nolan are close,” Lyra says.

“That’s really clear.” It makes me wonder what my life would have been like if I’d had a sibling. But I guess there’s no point in wondering.

Lyra looks at me. I sigh. “It’s just that the other pack members are always so… distant.”

They’re polite. I’m sure that they think they’re doing a good job of being polite and thoughtful, and clearly, they don’t want to piss Nolan off. Everyone except Amara and Jasper, though, has been aloof. I’m used to the stares, so it’s not like I don’t know what’s going on.

“That’s normal, Coral,” Lyra sighs. “It just takes time for people to get to know you.”

“Me personally?” I ask in a small voice.

She pulls me in for a hug. “No. Not you personally. It takes time for the pack to warm up to anyone new. I think that some of the fox shifters can attest to that.”

I perk up. “I’d love to meet the fox shifters.”

Lyra nods. “Actually, I think you’d probably get along really well with them. They were also displaced and came to the pack seeking refuge. Why don’t I set up a time when we can get together with them, so you can get to know more of that crew? What do you think?”

I nibble at my lip. The idea of someone who understands my situation is great, but then I have to meet new people. More strangers. Who might still give me the who-the-heck-are-you glance.

“They’re farmers. Pretty good at it, too, and they sell their produce to the pack and to tourists to help out.” Lyra winks at me.

Oh. Okay. I can do that.

“I’d really like that,” I nod.

Lyra and I chat for a while longer before she leaves. Nolan, who had a meeting with the alpha, comes back a little while later. When he comes in the door, my heart feels light, like it’s surrounded by bubbles.

“Hi!” I say.

Butterflies are drifting in with him, and Nolan smiles as one lands on his head. “Looks like someone had a good day.”

I blush. “Lyra came to visit.”

“Visits from a friend are always good,” Nolan says.

“I know. I did really like it.”

“More than all the people who come by to bother me, I take it?”

My face falls, and the butterflies do their best to scatter.

Nolan steps forward. He gently puts a finger under my chin and tips my head up to look into his face. “It’s not a bad thing, Coral. I know I have a bunch of people who come to see me on a daily basis.”

“Do you like it?” I ask honestly.

He sighs, and his fingertips feather out along my jaw. The point of connection makes me feel like there’s a thousand rivers racing under my skin. I want to lean into his hand, but I’m scared that would be weird.

“I don’t know if I like it. I’m just used to it.”

“Why?”

He drops his hand, and instantly, my stomach twists. Did I say something wrong?

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