Page 150 of Mates: Posy

"Ha ha ha. Sheisa shifter!" Matthew was overcome by laughter, but still managed to get out, "She's abirdshifter! Ha ha ha."

"I've never heard of such a thing," I said, shocked. "Are you making a joke? Or is it true? And if it's true, why is it so funny?"

"Yes, she's a bird shifter, which are very rare," Emerson said, "and I don't know why Matthew finds it so hilarious."

"Abird! Ha ha ha! She shifts into abluebird! Ha ha ha!" Matthew was reduced to a pile of giggles by this point.

We all ignored him when Tyler, who had been quiet since he'd returned with Peri, started to speak.

"Queen Lilah, I'm not sure if the king is aware that she's a bird shifter. Tristan only linked us that information a few minutes ago. You may want to let him know."

"Of course, but I can see that you know something you aren't saying." The queen tilted her head and narrowed her eyes at him.

"Um, so, the alphas let me check books out of the alpha library. It's a really impressive collection, which isn't surprising considering it's five packs' accumulation over three or four hundred years."

"I'd like to see it!" I bubbled and suddenly remembered that Jayden liked to read.

I bet he camps out there all the time.

"I'll be happy to escort you anytime." Tyler's smile transformed his face from handsome to gorgeous, and I heard a little sigh slip out of Peri. "Anyway, a couple of summers ago, I found a biography on the royal family."

"I bet that wassuchan interesting read. Little nerd," Matthew scoffed.

"He's not a nerd for wanting to educate himself!" I scolded him, and Lark's growl underscored my voice. "You would benefit from the same, only you should start with a book on manners!"

Luke, Emerson and Crew chuckled, and I expected Matthew to turn red with rage, but I was wrong. His face went white and his eyes bugged out.

"Third strike, Beta Matthew." Crew shook his head, still chuckling. "There's no way Garnet missed hearing her little wolf bark at you. You just don't learn, do you?"

"Itwasan interesting read, actually," Tyler spoke before Matthew could reply. "The part I'm thinking of, well, I don't know how to say this, Queen Lilah."

"Just say it, sweetie."

Pink fired over Tyler's whole face at her endearment, and he stammered a bit as he answered her.

"The king's grandfather kept a bird shifter. In a cage. As a pet. For years. Maybe his family knows more about them than we do."

Everyone was silent for a moment, processing the new information.

"Do you think you could find that book again?" the queen asked Tyler. When he nodded, she said, "I would like to see it. I'll also notify the king about Tristan's mate. Thank you."

"Always your servant, your majesty." He nodded.

"You know, if the library is that extensive, there might be something on other species of shifters." Emerson pursed his lips. "Ty, maybe you could look into that, too."

"Of course."

"Okay, let's have some fun after all the serious talk." Peri held up her tote bag with a bright smile. "Who wants to go swimming?"

I bit my lip. Everyone seemed relaxed and okay with the idea, but Tyler looked as distressed as I felt. I wondered if he shared the same reason for not wanting to put his body on display.

I hoped not.

Adult werewolves are very tough, and scarring one is quite hard to do. Some injuries take longer than others, like growing back a limb, and too many at once can overpower a wolf's abilities, like what happened to me, the queen, and her twin cousins. However, after we get our wolves, there isn't much we can't heal, and to leave permanent marks takes either silver or mercury.

Or both, as my father preferred.

So, no, I wasn't going swimming any time soon. Nobody needed to see how he'd ruined my skin beyond repair.

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