Page 110 of Seized By Magic

“How will we know when you’re ready?” Sai asked.

“I don’t know.” I looked around the room for help. “How did you guys know?”

Kaden laughed. “I was pissed drunk. Don’t even remember what happened that first time.”

“Virginity is a lot like modesty for shifters,” Sai started, “We don’t think about it. Being naked is natural. Sex is natural. It’s not a big deal for us.”

Well, neither of those was helpful.

“I thought we liked each other. Not like we’re going to end up married or anything, but I thought I meant something to her. But she thought I was hot, and she wanted to be able to say we lost it together like I was worth bragging about,” Theo admitted.

“Natasha?” I asked.

He nodded, and I squeezed his hand. That wasn’t right. She never should have treated him like that. It didn’t surprise me though. To everyone but me, she was fairly selfish and cruel. I never understood why she chose to show me a kinder side.

“So, we’re back to agreeing to taking things slow?” Kaden asked.

“But that won’t change anything,” I sighed. “We haven’t made any changes. We need to complete the bond. Niall might be fine right now, but what if he passes out again? What if it’s two or three of us next time?”

“Short of trauma, how do people bond quickly?” Sai asked.

Niall released my hand and pulled out his phone. “Having a common goal. Well, I think we have that one covered.” He swiped up. “Take a trip. We can’t. Do something adventurous. Not much to do on campus. Occupy a shared space.” He looked around and shook his head and mumbled as he read. “Eat together. Act of service. Physical contact.” He grunted. “Ask personal questions.”

“Haven’t we played ‘Never Have I Ever’?” Theo asked. “We can play ‘Truth or Dare.’”

I shook my head. “Why don’t we each share something we’ve struggled with? It can be anything. School, family, a rugby move, anything that’s been on our mind.”

I waited for them to complain, but Kaden went first.

“Transferring here has been harder than I thought. I know I didn’t see my parents very often at school, but I think it’s just knowing how far away they are. With all the threats and news going around, it makes me nervous knowing I can’t get to them quickly.”

“Do you think they’re in more danger, being so close to the council?” Niall asked.

“Yes and no.” Kaden rubbed his hands over his pants. “They have a wide and very secure network of people who don’t agree with the council’s decisions, especially about interspecies marriages and hybrids. But the group has been getting bolder lately. Helping others escape the council and infiltrating by voting their people into official positions. They’re doing good work and they’re careful, but anything could go wrong at any moment.”

That was stressful. I could only imagine my parents would be in the same position if they were alive.

“I’m worried about next year.” Theo stared down at where he was holding my hand. “I want to leave and go to a different university. Not because I wouldn’t be happy here or staying on the team, but because I want to get out of my parents' reach. I’m worried the council will start to use my parents again. They have in the past, and if they start openly going after hybrids and their families, my parents are at the top of the list. I don’t want to be in the public eye. I don’t want to be used. I don’t want to put you guys in danger, but I don’t want to abandon my parents either. I don’t know what to do.”

“Shit, man. We need to get them out.” Kaden looked like he was already making plans.

“I’m not sure. If they disappear, the council will notice.”

Theo sighed, and I pulled him down to lie with his head in my lap. I ran my fingers through his hair, and he seemed to calm a bit.

“My ma, well, my aunt . . .sorry, I’m not used to calling her that aloud.” Niall rubbed his chin. “Neither of us has heard from my brothers in over two months.”

“What?” I gasped. How could he have not mentioned this?

“Dude? Why haven’t you said anything?” Sai asked.

“We were all dealing with enough.”

“No.” I shook my head. “No more of that, okay. We are all here for each other. None of our problems are more or less important than anyone else’s. We will share the burden. It’s the only way I’ve been able to survive this place for so long. Each of you has let me lean on you more than once.”

Niall finally nodded. “She hired an investigator to track them, but so far, he hasn’t had anything to report.”

“Are they hybrids?” Kaden asked.

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