Page 38 of Sparks Flying

I knew not everyone would get it and plenty out there would be skeptical. Hell, I was still trying to wrap my head around how it was even possible. Yet every time I looked at her, there was no doubt in my mind that she was meant to be mine.

Our path wasn’t going to be an easy one, but I knew that someway, somehow, we’d make it as long as we stuck together.

The problem was, we hadn’t exactly gotten off to the best start. I understood things better now after my raven’s confirmation, but I also knew I hadn’t been the nicest person since meeting her. The fact that she hadn’t taken off already despite the chaos of my family gave me hope.

Bailey

Chapter 10

I had siblings, but nothing like the Davenports. We’d never been close and at this point in my life, I didn’t expect we ever would be. Dean’s family was very different from my own. You can feel the love between them and despite everything, they were willing to stand up and support us without really knowing anything about me.

The ladies had all but dragged him away from me when they descended. I’d been asked what had felt like a million questions, but none of them had been inappropriate. They just genuinely seemed like they wanted to know me.

For a girl used to staying out of the spotlight, it was all a bit overwhelming.

Still, they went out of their way to make me feel included.

“So you work for Westin Force?” Gracie asked.

“Kind of, but not really. I’m just doing a semester internship with them.”

“Then what?” she pressed.

“Um, college. Or that’s the plan, at least. I got accepted into Archibald Reynolds but delayed admission until January when this internship was offered to me.”

They shared a worried look.

“The ARC is a long way from Ravenden,” Gia said.

“I know.”

“Where will that put you and Dean?”

“I don’t know. This is all very new. We haven’t even really talked about anything yet.”

“But you are going to give him a chance, right?” Gia demanded.

“Is that really what you guys want for him? I’ve been thoroughly briefed on raven culture before my arrival. You guys aren’t really known for accepting outsiders.”

“True, but we all found our true mates and we know how important that bond is. We would never want anything less for Dean,” Gia said.

“Basically, you aren’t going to get rid of us that easily,” Gracie teased.

“If they can accept Elias mating a Grimes, then who am I to judge a wolf?” Kim said.

“Honestly, I didn’t even know such a thing was possible,” Gracie admitted.

“We’ve seen a few instances of interspecies true mates, but they do seem to be very rare. I know several compatible mated couples of different species, but true mates? I personally know one, well, sort of two if you consider a wolf/human pairing interspecies.”

“A wolf found his true mate to be a human?” Gia asked.

“Yup. I don’t know them personally, but my best friend, Oscar, does. And back home, Westin Pack welcomes shifters of all kinds. No one would blink an eye in our direction there.”

“Are you friends with other shifter types?” Kim asked.

“Of course. Oscar’s a tiger. And my other best friend is an opossum.”

“Wow. That’s just crazy,” she said. “I know, like some of the Westin Force guys aren’t ravens and I’ve spoken to them when in town. I was even working the day Kelsey Westin and a few others rolled into town for the first time. Blew my mind to meet another shifter like that, but I can’t imagine living the way you’re describing.”

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