Page 65 of Gone Hunting

“I apologize,” Celia says. “I’m trying to understand. But I’m not familiar with your ways.”

“I’m familiar,” I interject. “And I’m still confused.” I suppose I should know, but I never cared about matehood enough to ask. My parents are mates and that’s all that mattered. Until now. “I’ve heardwerescan find their mates as young as eighteen, but more often in their early twenties. Why, if their souls are meant to connect for eternity?”

“It has to do with breeding,” Dad replies. He leans forward, his white T-shirt stretching across his broad chest. Dad isn’t one to mince words, but I can tell he’s uncomfortable saying what he does in front of Celia. “For centuries, our numbers were few. We’d become an endangered species. Then something changed. Either our beasts adapted, or nature adapted them for us.Weresbegan finding mates later, the maturity of their bodies resulting in stronger offspring and moreweresto strengthen our numbers.”

“Revitalizing our race,” I infer.

“Exactly,” Dad agrees.

“Is that what has you so upset?” I ask. “I mean, it’s not like Celia and I are looking to breed.”

I regret the words as soon as they shoot out of my mouth. If it weren’t for me holding Celia’s hand, I think she’d disappear under the table.

Dad just smiles. It’s not a friendly smile. “You’re right about that,son.”

Mom pushes around what remains of the pie she baked with her fork. “I’m wondering if we should move Celia’s room closer to ours and perhaps redo the barn to give Aric his own space?”

“What?” Celia asks. She glances around. “You’re inviting me to stay here permanently?”

I’m not sure who’s more stunned, me or Celia. Dad winks at Mom. “Mates have a hard time keeping away from each other, sweet one.”

“I can’t stay,” Celia says. “My family needs me.”

Dad nods. “Aric told me the circumstances surrounding your family. But you must understand, your bond with Aric is too strong to permit you to go so far away. Look at the way you woke together, and you were merely a few rooms away. In another state, it would be unbearable.” He works his jaw. “And with what I feel stirring in those winds, you’ll need our protection and so will your family.”

“My foster mother, Ana Lisa, is very sick,” Celia says slowly. “She needs a great deal of care.”

“And she’ll find it here with us, child,” Dad tells her gently. “You’re Aric’s family. That makes you our family, and your family will be ours, as well.”

I’m ready for Celia to agree to all of it. But her pride and circumstances get in the way. “This is a lot to consider and it’s not my decision alone,” she says. “It’s not that I want to leave Aric, but I need to take care of my family first and see to their needs. We’re really struggling, and Ana Lisa’s insurance is based in New Jersey.”

I never told Celia my family and I come from a great deal of wealth. Mom does it for me, more elegantly than I ever could.

“You won’t have to struggle here,” Mom says. “We’ll make certain Ana Lisa receives the best care in the local hospitals and beyond. There’s a healing witch not too far from here. She won’t be able to cure Ana Lisa. Magic works with magic and as a human, your dear foster mother has none to spare. But she can ease her pain and possibly improve her outcome.”

“You’re very kind,” Celia says, glancing around. “All of you. But I can’t ask you to pay for her medical costs.”

“You’re not asking, child,” Dad says. “We’re offering, and we will gladly manage everything, including the move.” He looks at Mom. “I like your idea of giving Aric his own space. But if we reconstruct the barn, we can give Celia and our new family their own home.”

Celia doesn’t speak. The tears filling her eyes say enough.

Dad’s expression softens, but soon worry overtakes it. “There is much to do and discuss with regards to your family. But our first priority is figuring out your situation and making certain you stay safe.” He rises. “I’ll summon Mimi. Perhaps she has found the answers we need.” He makes a face. “Although, I would have preferred it if you’d gone to Bellissima.”

My gaze falls on Celia. I would have preferred a lot of things. “I didn’t think I could.”

“Ordinarily, it would go against our ways,” Dad agrees. “But these are extraordinary times.”

And Celia is an extraordinary person, I don’t bother adding.

“Leave those, dears,” Mom says when Celia and I start to clear the table. “This is more important, and it won’t take long.”

Dad reaches into the fireplace and scoops up a mound of ash between his palms. He steps backward and into the space where Celia and I danced the night before, sprinkling the ash in a circle as he speaks.

“Mimi,” he says. “Wild Hag of the Whispering Mountains, Guardian of the Owls, Granddaughter of Ahanu the Great Bear. I, Aidan Connor, Leader, Alpha, and pureblood, summon thee to my home.”

He closes the circle. “Come forth in peace and leave in peace.” He brings his foot down, slamming it hard. I ease Celia behind me, expecting a big explosion of light and power with the summoning.

It doesn’t come.

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