Page 10 of The Dragon's Mate

“Why do you keep it a secret? Most humansdon’t care. They’re not -”

Corey shook his head. “You, more thananyone, know that isn’t true.”

“I’m not like my dad,” Tyler said. “Whywould you ever think that I was?”

“I know you’re not,” Corey said. “Butyou’re naïve about paranormals and humans. There are humans who aren’t frightenedof us, who think we deserve to be treated as equals, but there are plenty ofpeople like your dad who think we should be locked away.”

“He doesn’t think you should be locked away,”Tyler protested. “He just….”

He couldn’t get the words out. He knewexactly what his father wanted.

Corey sighed. “He hates the paranormals.What do you think he would say if he knew his son was dating one?”

“I’m nothing like my father,” Tylerrepeated miserably.

“I know.” Corey smiled at him. “But I thoughtit would be better if you didn’t know. You already have to keep secrets fromhim, I didn’t want to add another to the list.”

“I love you, Corey.” Tyler said.

“I love you too,” Corey said. The door tothe cabin opened and Bren and Kaida walked in.

“Hi, Corey. How are you feeling?” Brenasked.

“Hey, Bren. I’m okay.” Corey’s gaze slidto Kaida.

“This is Kaida,” Tyler said. “She savedyou.”

Bren was studying first Corey and thenKaida, a thoughtful and considering look on his face. Tyler could sense thetension radiating from both Corey and Kaida. Corey was squeezing his hand sohard that his fingers were going numb.

“She saved you,” he repeated.

“Thank you.” Corey looked away.

Kaida turned to Gram. “Can we move him?We should probably get him home before his family starts to worry.”

“Nope.” Gram shook her head. “He reallyshouldn’t go anywhere for a few days.”

“He can’t stay here, Gram,” Kaida said.

“We don’t have much choice, mostoirín,”Gram said.

“His family won’t allow him to stay withstrangers,” Kaida replied.

“They don’t care,” Tyler said. “They’re hisfoster folks and they don’t give a shit about him.”

“I can’t stay here.” Corey said withgrowing alarm. “I’ll be fine. Help me up.” He started to sit up and groanedin pain before grabbing at his side and falling back to the couch.

Gram frowned at him in disapproval. “Itold you not to move, fox shifter.”

Tyler stroked his arm. “It’s only for aday or two, Corey and then you can come stay at my house.”

Corey laughed weakly. “Yeah, like thatwouldn’t make your dad suspicious at all.”

“I’ll come by tomorrow morning, okay?”Tyler smiled at him. “Bren, you have the weekend off, right?”

His brother nodded and Tyler said, “Willyou bring me out here?”

“Sure, if it’s okay with Kaida and her grandmother.”

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