Page 7 of Fight
"Actually, Ma'am," I spoke up."that's one of my stipulations.I won't even try to shift anyone who doesn't want it.No pressuring from pack, family or loved ones, is allowed.In fact, Bill didn't even speak to Devon about the whole thing, until Devon had made his decision."I saw their eyebrows rise sharply when I used Bill's first name.
"The Anikitos is Nickie's father's best friend.Nickie's known him all her life and has called him, and our Alekto both, by their given names for years.He doesn't want that to change.
"And as much as all this is to absorb, there's more."Devon continued.
"What else could be as wonderful or momentous as your being able to shift?"Amber asked, tears of happiness running unchecked down her face.
Devon took another deep breath, his hand gripped mine tighter where they sat out of sight on the couch between us, before he exhaled slowly.I knew he was bracing himself for the reaction he knew was coming.
"Nickie and I are potential mates."He quickly pulled his hand from mine and covered his still extremely sensitive ears as his mother all but screamed her delight.Shawn and I both winced at the piercing noise.
When she calmed down enough so we could speak again, my ears were ringing.
"Amber, Amber!"Shawn tried to get her attention."Give it a rest, you're hurting him."He motioned to where Devon was still holding his ears, in case she started again.
"I'm sorry, dear."She apologized."It's just so exciting,"
"Don't get too excited, there's no guarantee it'll work out, but we've agreed to see how things go."
"It's still wonderful news.I'd given up hope that you'd know the wonders of a mated bond."More tears spilled from her eyes, and ran down her face.
Devon took my hand again, this time he didn't bother to hide it between us.He ran his thumb back and forth over the back of my hand.I knew he was comforting himself, something about telling his parents had him unsettled.I moved my thumb over his skin too, offering both comfort and understanding with the small movement.
We stayed for dinner, I enjoyed getting to know his parents again.Once she calmed down, his mom wasn't bad, just easily excitable, and as I spent a little more time with his father, he seemed less abrupt.He cared, but he had a gruff manner.It was different than I was used to, but I could see how much he cared about Devon.By the end of the evening, I knew I would like his parents.I didn't know how they felt about me, but their feelings were less important to me than Devon's.
Chapter 3
Friday evening, Devon and I were running a little late, but I'd warned Alexis that might be the case.Bypassing the street in front of the house, I directed Devon to pull his pick-up into the small parking lot at the back of the property.I led him through the gate leading into the yard where most of the group had already gathered.
"I didn't know there was a parking lot back here."He followed me through the gate.
"Alexis told me about it when I was helping her out in the clinic.It's mostly used by patients, but I thought it would be easier for tonight."
"It was."He agreed.
It looked like there were only two couples here.The men were standing near the large brick grill on one side of the patio, while the women were seated beside the large patio table.Their chairs were turned sideways so they could keep an eye on the children running wild through the large yard.Alexis called, out as we approached the porch.
"There you are!I'm so happy you could make it."She pulled me in to a hug as she greeted us."Jan called, one of the kids is sick, so she and Will won't be able to make it."Barely taking the time to breathe she continued."Lauren, this is Nickie and Devon.They both grew up around here, we went to the same school, though not at the same time."Alexis laughed."Nickie, Devon, this is Hank's sister, Lauren.Her husband Aaron is at the grill with Hank, and these munchkins are Jenny and Andy."She motioned to the two kids, still running through the grass."They're visiting from Houston, and it's their first time here,"
"It's nice to meet you."Devon said politely, shaking Lauren's hand."If you don't mind, I think I'll go see what Hank and Aaron are up to?"
"Go ahead.I'll stay here and visit."I waved him off toward the other men.
"It's great to meet you, Lauren.How are you enjoying it out here?"I asked the smaller woman.She was several inches shorter than me, maybe 5'4", and very slender.She had long dark hair that she'd pulled back into a high pony tail that still hung below her shoulders.Her greenish hazel eyes were friendly, though never still.She met my look, but quickly looked away, keeping an eye on the kids.I kept a friendly smile on my face.
"It's a lot less humid here.It makes it seem not as hot as back home, though I know the temperature is actually pretty comparable."She smiled back.
"It'll get humid here during monsoon season, but then, it also tends to cloud over and rain, cooling us off most afternoons, so it's not so bad."We made small talk while we watched the kids chase each other around the yard.By the time Hank asked for the food to put on the grill, I was pretty sure I could shift Lauren, if she wanted to try.We ate and visited a while longer, when Lauren and Aaron went inside to lay the kids down for the night I knew it was a good time to speak to Hank.The four of us were sitting around the patio table, relaxing with a beer, while we watched the flames from the wood fire he'd built in the large brick grill for us.
"Was it enough?"He asked, before I figured out how to bring it up.
I nodded slowly, my eyes still on the flames in front of me, before I realized he might not be able to see me in the dark."It was."I spoke up, "I can sense the wolf inside her, and I'm pretty sure I can call it.Assuming the reason she hasn't been able to shift is the same thing that kept Devon from shifting of course, Alexis and I should be able to do it, with little difficulty."
He was quiet for a moment, considering."I'll talk to her about it, but I don't know if she'll want to.Aaron's not one of us, and children of non-shifting Kindred often don't shift.She may decide she's happy with the life she has."
I nodded."That's fine, at least she'll know that the option's available.If one of her kids shifts later, she'll know it can be an option for her too."
"I'll be sure to mention that."
