Page 92 of Distinctly Daray
Victor’s fists clenched, and he couldn’t sit any longer—he was too agitated. So, he stood and laid a hand on the shoulder of both his mates to calm himself. “My future is decided. Next week, I’m binding my soul to Phillip’s and Keegan’s. Then Phillip and I will bite each other and Keegan, sealing our bond for eternity.”
“We have no objection to that,” Victor’s father said.
“You don’t?” Victor asked, shocked by the revelation.
“No, that is your business,” his father replied. “What we need to discuss is what comes next. You are an Antonov. A Russian Blue shifter granted a gift from Fate. Not everyone can shift into a cat. You are among the chosen. From your birth, we’ve told you part of that gift is showing your gratitude to Fate.”
Victor’s mouth flattened into a thin, annoyed line as he finally connected the dots. “You’re wasting your time. Fate decided I should be with men. I know you feel it’s your duty and purpose to bring as many Russian Blue shifters into the world as possible, but Keegan, Phillip, and I can’t have children.”
“Not together, no,” Victor’s mother said, crossing her arms. “But you’re a shifter. Fate ensured that no matter what lifestyle you chose, you could still thank her. There are plenty of women waiting for their mates who wish to bear children. One of Loria’s friends has already agreed to enter such an arrangement with you.”
“Yes, do you remember Anya?” Loria asked. “She went to high school with you and thought you were attractive. We’ve invited her to join us for dessert today. It could be a good fit for you both.”
“Are you serious?” Victor said, losing the battle not to raise his voice as he considered their obscene request in front ofthe two men he loved. “Your reaction to meeting the men Fate granted to me is to invite a woman over to meet me?”
“You’ve met her already,” Loria countered. “There’s no need to yell. I’m sure the Cinder Lords understand your duty.”
“I am afraid I do not understand,” Phillip stated, rising to his feet and wrapping an arm around Victor’s waist. “Are you asking our mate to have a relationship with a woman to help her have children?”
Keegan left his barstool, and Victor clung to both men once the fallen knight half-embraced him. “Until today, I didn’t even think about the fact that Victor has sexuality outside his matebond because he’s far too honorable to ever consider being with anyone besides myself and Phillip.”
“If Victor had any honor, he wouldn’t have romantic relationships with men, wear make-up like a woman, or buy such unsuitable clothes,” his mother snapped.
“You’ll bring shame to the Antonov name if you carry on like this,” Victor’s father added. “Your duty is first to your family. These Cinder Lords have each other; must you humiliate us with your selfish decisions?”
Victor swallowed to keep his tears at bay. His cat hissed with anger, and Victor fought the urge to shift. Neither man nor beast would tolerate any insult to their mates. There was nothing selfish about honoring Fate, and Victor was a lucky man to have Phillip and Keegan.
“My duty is first to Fate,” Victor stated carefully. “You taught me that. But you conveniently forget that not everyone is like you. I’m not. I’m gay. Fate made me that way. She proved it by giving me the two incredible gentlemen standing in your kitchen. Fate made it my responsibility to honor them. That is something I do proudly. Nothing will ever get in the way of that. Not you. Not anyone else. If you can’t respect that, I’m sorry, but I don’t want anything else to do with you.”
“You have embarrassed us enough,” his mother shouted. “No parent takes pride in a son who has chosen your lifestyle.”
“You’re wrong. But I can’t make you believe that. I’m sorry you don’t understand me, but I’m tired of expecting you to change. I suppose in a way that’s fair since you’re expecting me to make changes I have no intention of considering. Families don’t have to be like this. I have one that loves me unconditionally. But despite that, I kept you in my life because you instilled duty in me. However, duty shouldn’t be the only thing binding us together.”
“Do not return to this house until you’re ready to act like an adult, honor your parents, and obey Fate’s wishes by following our advice for a happy life,” his mother stated. Her green gaze was so like his own, but it was cold and unwelcoming.
Victor had expected sadness at having the last tie to the Antonovs broken; it never arrived. Instead, relief filled him. He’d long ago accepted that the Antonovs tolerated him at best. Now that they had kicked him out, Victor was granted the freedom to live how he wished without their criticism. It was a grace he hadn’t allowed himself.
With a nod of head, Victor forced himself to step away from the men he loved to leave the small house he’d long associated with painful memories of criticism and disappointment. Victor led Phillip and Keegan out the door. He didn’t stop until he’d unlocked the car and was safely in the driver’s seat again.
Two car doors slammed closed, then there was silence for a few heartbeats. Victor’s cat relaxed in his head and, thanks to his companions, was prompted to purr.
“I am sorry, Sparkles,” Phillip said.
“Me too,” Keegan tacked on a second later.
“I’m not,” Victor responded, his smile blooming. “I never realized until now how much I wanted them to kick me out. Forwhatever reason, I couldn’t walk away. I kept returning to the house and stifling part of myself, despite knowing I’d never get their approval or love. I don’t have to come back. I don’t have to pretend anymore. And I’ve learned a lesson from my real family in recent years. I’m keeping the fucking name Antonov so no one forgets I put up with their shit.”
“We’re proud of you, and we love you,” Keegan said.
“And my dragon is thrilled to be out of that house. The last thing he wishes to think about is either of his mates meeting some old acquaintance to make babies with them.”
Victor laughed. “That was never happening.”
“Of course not; you love dick,” Keegan joked.
“Yours and Phillip’s,” Victor agreed. “What do you say we go home and enjoy the rest of our Sunday with our family?”
“We’re still playing with dicks later, right?” Keegan asked.
