Page 66 of Real

“We’re too close to the city for that. Your scent will get unbearably strong if you don’t have a hired knot. Who should I call?”

Candlewick considers Timothy carefully, then takes his phone. “Tell them I’m a friend of Gerald’s. He’s a nice guy, and he shoots blanks. He’d be my first choice.”

I’ve never seen Candlewick like this. He’s uncertain, vulnerable. That’s how I felt last night with Timothy, and he took such good care of me. Timothy can’t knot, and I’m pretty sure shifters can’t conceive without a knot. Maybe I should ask Timothy if he wants to help Candlewick out.

The problem is that I don’t want to share Timothy. I don’t want to leave him for Einar or Antonio either.

Don’t love a man because you think he’ll make you a real person. Believe me, I’ve tried that. It doesn’t work.

What if I asked Timothy to stay with me? I couldn’t be flesh and blood. We couldn’t have a traditional bond either. But we could have each other.

Then I could figure out the rest of my life from there. Skatt said I didn’t need to be human to take over for him. I could learn more about the Illusors and what kind of role I could play in their community. Not because I’m obligated to, but because I think I want to if I can do it on my terms.

Candlewick hands Timothy’s phone back to him. “I have to go before I beg you to fuck me over the countertop. Something tells me that the only guy you’ll be fucking anytime soon is my friend here.” Candlewick winks at me before turning around like the others and retreating. Only he goes down the hall instead of out the front door.

Timothy and I are finally alone. He’s on the phone, so I wait. He has a brief conversation with someone about Candlewick where he gives out personal information I wasn’t aware of. Candlewick is half fox shifter, half red wolf shifter, and he can’t bond with fox shifters through burrowing.

I had no idea Candlewick burrowed with someone unsuccessfully too.

When Timothy finally sets down his phone, the scent of burning fills the kitchen.

The pancakes.

I turn off the burner and open the window. Timothy coughs a few times, but I don’t need to. My lungs are fine with the smoky air. Or maybe I don’t even have proper lungs in my plastic form. I can hold my breath for long periods of time. Maybe forever. I’m indestructible, after all.

Timothy steps closer to me. It’s strange to have him here in the kitchen where I cooked for Dorian. He takes my hand and squeezes it. “They have a few guys who can help Candlewick. They’re sending their representative with some scent boxes so he can choose who he wants to spend his heat with. It’s going to cost ten thousand dollars.”

I’m not sure how much money that is, but Timothy’s tone suggests it’s a lot.

“I’ll figure out a way to pay for it,” I say.

Timothy leans down and presses his forehead to mine. “I’ll help as much as I can.”

I close my eyes. I’ll never get used to how good it feels to be close to him.

“Could I stay with you? Just until you return to the Illusors?” he asks. “I could help you through your heats while you figure out everything with Dorian’s estate. Or—”

“Yes.”

“Yes to me staying, or yes to the heat thing?”

“Yes to everything.”

I don’t tell him that I have reservations about becoming flesh and blood. I don’t rehash the conversation I had with Candlewick about destiny versus slavery either. There’s too much to sort through right now.

“Can you help me contact the Den of Dreams?” I ask. “I have their car. There’s also a lawyer coming.”

Timothy brushes his lips against mine. “I will help with all of it. Just tell me what you need.”

28

Timothy

A series of people visit Dorian Gray’s house. An alpha woman with a suitcase of tin boxes shows up to see Candlewick. A lawyer comes to talk to Buddy. A few Illusors pick up a car in the driveway. I answer the door, direct the visitors to what they need, and I check in with Buddy. He accepts all the hugs and chaste kisses I offer him. Somehow, I know that’s what he needs right now.

I’ve always been good at taking care of people.

After the lawyer leaves, I walk into the living room to find Buddy looking lost and overwhelmed. I sit next to him and pull him into my arms.

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