Page 109 of Mysteries, Menace, and Mates

“So far it seems mates are either all shifters or a mix of shifters and humans. But no triads that are completely human.”

Dellan’s breathing hitched. “That line from the prophecy about shifters finding the one who completes them—whether they’re shifters or human—and all things becoming possible.” His eyes widened. “Can’t you see wherethis is heading? Humans are going to learn about shifters, but in a way that won’t lead to distrust or animosity or prejudice. Because how can there be such things when people are joined in love?”

Horvan arched his eyebrows. “How can there…? Come on, you live in the real world.”

Rael nodded, his eyes bright. “Andthisis how we change that world. Sure we need to tear down the old regime, and for a while, there’ll be a backlash against Gerans, but it’ll pass. It has to. What are you going to do if you’re a Fridan, and you suddenly discover your mate is a Geran? You can’t hate them.”

“And the day will come when shifters realize they are not Fridan or Geran, but simply part of this changing universe,” Aelryn concluded. “One world, one people, but some of them with special gifts that are accepted, supported… treasured.”

Horvan had to admit that day couldn’t come soon enough.

“It’s not gonna happen overnight, you know.” He had to be the voice of reason, of logic. “And it’s gonna take a lot of work to get to that point.”

“But wewillget there,” Aelryn insisted. “Don’t you feel it?”

Dellan and Rael gazed at him, and the hope in their eyes couldn’t be ignored.

Horvan sighed. “Yeah, I do. And now that you’vereallywoken me up, I’m gonna spend some quiet time with my mates. You know, before there are hordes of people at the door, clamoring for autographs or selfies.” He stilled. “Or worse—wanting to bear our children.”

Dellan rolled his eyes.

Aelryn laughed. “I promise you, my friend, no one will learn of your location through me.”

“Thank you. Have fun with your traveling. Going anywhere nice?”

Aelryn coughed. “Maybe. I’ll leave you to your mates.” Horvan caught voices in the background. “And it seems my mates are clamoring formyattention.” He said goodbye and hung up.

Horvan replaced his phone on the nightstand. “Whoa. That was one helluva wake-up call.”

“Do you think he’s right?” Rael asked. “That the time is coming when we finally see an end to this division that should never have happened in the first place?”

“Part of me wants to believe that, but I think you nailed it too. There’s gonna be a backlash. What the Gerans did is too huge, too horrific to sweep it under the table.”

“But if I was right about that, then I’m probably also right about what will heal the rift.” Rael kissed him. “You can’t fight love. It’s the strongest force in the universe.”

“The prophecy nailed it too,” Dellan reminded them. “‘Three hearts, beating as one. Three bodies, joined in love.’Remember?”

Horvan let out a sigh. “I guess someone really knew what they were doing when they put us together. I’m a glass-half-empty kinda guy, but you two….”

They balanced him. Complemented him.

And suddenly he didn’t want to talk anymore.

He peered at Rael and Dellan. “Now… where were we?”

Then he caught his breath when they moved farther down the bed, and two pairs of lips renewed their acquaintance with his shaft.

There was time enough to dwell on what was heading in their direction. Right then he needed to be with the men he loved.

The men who loved him.

JAKE GAPEDat Dellan. “You’ve got to be kidding.” He glanced at Doc.Can you believe this?

Doc chuckled.I had no idea my mate was such a celebrity.

“Want me to go so you can talk?” Dellan’s eyes held amusement.

“It can wait.” He aimed another glance in Doc’s direction.Can’t it?

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