Page 51 of Vibing Unity

“Let’s go eat food, but I did really want to talk,” Lucca said as he carried me to the bathroom to clean up.

“Oh, sorry,” I chuckled, covering my face in embarrassment. “Are you mad I jumped you?”

The look he gave me not to be silly was amusing.

“So what’s up?” I worried. “Are we—is it about us?”

“No, well, yes, but—” He shook his head. “I don’t want to step aside like Hudson is for Connor, and I wanted to talk to you about it and be on the same page before others weigh in and pressure me.”

I nodded. “I already told you to do whatever you feel is best.”

“Yes, but that was before, and—we’re different now. You’re really going to be queen, and—we need a conversation now.”

That was fair and I nodded, telling him to go ahead basically. I listened as he told me that while he loved me, he really did want to be Alpha. He’d thought it had been because he’d been raised for it or maybe he’d just resented it because his father had done a lot to puppet him, but watching me grow into the role I was born for made him realize that wasn’t true.

He really wanted to be Alpha, the Alpha his sloth deserved—a better one than his father and not out of spite. Not to stick it to his father or brother. He wanted the job, and he was worried if he gave it up because he loved me, he’d resent me one day. I would be worth it to him, he knew that in his heart and his bear was clear on it… But he thought he could have both.

And he was worth maybe the few headaches it would bring to our lives when he would deal with a lot of them mating Queen of Faerie.

He was completely right and I cheated and listened to his thoughts even. It wasn’t… This wasn’t the old Lucca who wasselfish and being a brat. This was a good man who weighed all the options and wanted what he thought was best for everyone involved.

Except maybe his brother because he would throw a fit over this, but Lucca truly believed he was the better leader for the sloth. Sure, his brother was still young, but while he was doing better, some people were just selfish at heart.

I didn’t disagree which waswhyI always worried about Lucca more than others. I’d seen that in him before, but it seemed people really could change. Or maybe Lucca hadn’t understood so much of how he felt was selfish?

Either way, his thoughts weren’t of someone selfish. It was of a man worried how to balance it all. How to make sure he cared and loved himself and what he wanted tovaluehimself.

Good. I wanted that for him too.

“I agree,” I cut in when he started to talk a bit in circles. I nodded when he seemed shocked, throwing on his hoodie. “I agree with everything you’ve said. Youshouldmake sure you do what you want as long as it doesn’t hurt me. You should be happy with your own stuff in any partnership, not just our mating. I fully agree. I do think we can make this work even if it’s not normal.

“It’s not against the law. And not to be a brat, but it would be different if you were my only mate. That’s reality, but you’re not. You’re not any less important than they are to me or will be valued less, but you aren’t my only mate. The role is split, and I think it a blessing because now you can do what you want without as much criticism.

“The only issue I see—we need to talk to the others and come to an agreement like we have with future children and getting rid of Mary from our lives. We all had valid concerns about your dad, Lucca. That doesn’t change because you want—”

“No, that doesn’t change,” he agreed and firmly. “Dad’s out and he did that to himself. I agree. We get him to sign whatever and Mom will back it or leave him and he cannot handle that.” He let out a long breath when I gave a hesitant nod. “I also want to do this for our kids.”

That one threw me and I didn’t know how to respond.

“This is the birthright of my firstborn—whether with you or not, cream puff,” he said softly. “And my firstborn with you cannot be the future of Faerie. You’ll have that child with Neldor. I accept that, but it’s not fair to take this from our firstborn then.”

I felt small realizing that. I turned away and blinked back tears.

“Hey, hey, don’t take this—he made the choice,” Lucca whispered, knowing this was about more than us. “Hudson knew what he was doing and made the choice. He made it a while ago. He made it independent of mating you. It’s what’s best for his people. It’s not the same for my sloth.”

I nodded and let him hug me. I felt horrible though, realizing that I’d neglected—well, I couldn’t have a dragon with Hudson since I wasn’t a dragon. We’d have a fairy child, so… They couldn’t be king or queen of dragons anyways?

Why was everything always so fucking complicated?

He brought me downstairs and we dug into the food while letting everything he’d said settle. He must have messaged Hudson when I hadn’t been paying attention because my dragon came through the door with purpose.

“You told her?” he checked, nodding when Lucca confirmed it. He was on me a moment later, giving me a soft kiss. “Shorty, we’re different, and—we can’t have a dragon child. I accept that. It wasn’t in the cards for us. A bear shifter is for you and Lucca, and that changes everything.”

That was what I needed to hear. But…

I nodded but my heart hurt. “It’s all too strategic and not—it seems so cold and horrible. Neldor and I will have a child to take over Faerie. Julian and I will to take over his family. Lucca and me for his sloth. It’s like…” I shoved him away and harder than I meant to, curling into myself.

Darby was suddenly there hugging me and I let him. “I know. I know,agra. I know. I feel it too. It’s okay.”

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