“Guess we’re learning how to people,”my bear sighed.
Mori came back into the living room carrying two plates on one arm and the baby in the other. Yep. I was a jackass who should’ve offered to help. Preston sat up as soon as he smelledthe food and Mori chuckled to himself as he passed a plate off to his brother and the other to me.
“Sorry,” Preston murmured and I wasn’t sure if he was speaking to me or Mori.
Mori slipped out of the room before answering. So, he was talking to me. Maybe.
“You were tired,” I shrugged. “I imagine it’s hard raising a cub on your own.”
“It’s hard raising a cub – period. I have help. My brother is usually around. My whole family lives here more or less. We’re a close-knit community,” Preston said. “But people can only help as much as you let them, and I don’t mind being tired. Andy’s only going to be this small for a miniscule amount of time. I don’t want to miss a single second of it.”
I glanced over at him, trying not to be obvious that I wanted to look at him forever. He looked like Mori a bit, but they were definitely fraternal twins. He had dark hair and hazel-honey eyes. The tips of his ears were pointed and had little marks like he might’ve worn earrings in their tips some time in the past. Probably stopped because of the baby. I imagined at Andy’s age babies grabbed for everything.
“You were right. I am Preston,” he said a second later as if he too felt the silence pressing down around his body like a pressure front that wouldn’t relent.
“I’m Wess. The resident snow demon of Hemlock Mountain.”
“Can I ask a rude question?” Preston asked.
“Uh… I don’t know that there can be a rude question between mates,” I shrugged.
“Believe me. There can. I’ve overheard plenty of arguments and bickering matches. There so can.”
“Ask away,” I shrugged. “It’s hard to offend me.”
“What is a demon?” he asked and took a bite out of one of the stuffed rolls.
“Uh…. That’s broad,” I shrugged again. “Really broad. If you’re asking why I’m a demon, that I can answer.” I tapped my left horn. “My ancestor came from a place where if you have these you’re a demon. It’s just what they called themselves. The snow comes from the element you’re best at. Most of my family are snow demons. There was a rumor when I was a kid that I had a cousin who was a sea demon. Though he lived on a bunch of icebergs. So take from that what you will. And bonus answer because eventually everyone asks: I can see the future but only if it’s about true-mates and I don’t really get to see whatever I want to see.”
“Plenty of seers in our family,” Preston nodded. “It’s not exactly a gift. It’s more of a curse. Mori and our carrier have dead people who follow them around. Between you and me, I see them too. I just ignore them and act like I can’t most of the time. There was a dead cat that followed me around for a week one time until Mori got home. I put down milk but wouldn’t pay attention to it otherwise. I know once I start helping them, it never ends and I have enough to deal with. Just a head’s up. Andy’s sire doesn’t want to be a dad, but his mother is insane. Literally probably certifiably. Wants to raise my baby and sacrifice him so that she can have his magic.”
Preston rolled his eyes but a cold anger rolled through my veins. Who would dare to threaten the offspring of my mate? Who would dare to threaten a child so small and helpless? What sort of monster would you have to be to believe that such a sacrifice would be worth it?
“No use in getting angry about it,” Preston said and spoke again before I had a chance to say there was every reason to be angry about it. “She’s crazy. Crazy people don’t know they’re crazy. Dern thinks she’ll come back once Andy is old enough to sacrifice. When she does, I’ll eat her fucking face, if need be. I’m ready in the meantime too.”
I cocked my head to the side, waiting for him to explain how he was ready, but my mate didn’t offer up his secret plans.
“Didn’t mean to piss you off but you had to know. It’s dangerous to be around us for too long and you have the right to know that.”
“It’s dangerous to come off the mountain. Get run over by a train or stuck in a kitchen full of people,” I shrugged.
Preston bit his lip. I would’ve told him it was a joke but there seemed to be more he wanted to say.
“Say what you need to. I know you’re speaking for two people. Andy cannot speak for himself and you’re his only voice for now,” I said, offering him the roll still left on my plate because his was already empty. Preston tore it in half and handed one side back to me.
“Thanks,” he said, flashing me a sheepish smile.
I almost pointed out that he smelled like he still occasionally chest fed but after the ‘he can wear my balls’ comment earlier, I was trying to mind my manners.
“Andy and me are a packaged deal,” Preston said. “He’s mine. Venal isn’t involved and at this point I don’t want him to be. Anyone who doesn’t want to be a parent makes a shitty one. I want to be a dad. I know this probably isn’t what you expected but it’s how it is. You don’t have to stay but if you stay you have to love the baby. Not just like him but love him. He’s a baby. He’s practically defenseless. He’s never met a person who he didn’t like. I’m half convinced he thinks Mori is his sire because he’s who’s around the most with us. Mori – he’s always around too. He’s not going anywhere. I have a big family. You don’t have to do the functions and the parties, but I will. I’d like you to go when you can. I know introverts have less energy for it and I won’t argue with you about things like that but I’m still going. Baby Andy is going. Any of our future kids are going too if they want to.”
“Why would I argue with you about seeing your family?” I asked, quirking up an eyebrow. “They’re your family. I don’t know what sort of guys you dated before today but I’m not here to be your jailer. If you’re not ready for this, I’ll go back to my mountain, and you can come and find me when you are or send word. If my presence here makes your life more difficult the best thing I can do is leave.”
“No,” Preston said, the word rolling off his tongue quickly. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just…” His words trailed off with a sigh.
“Can I take a guess at the just part?” I asked.
He shrugged and I went ahead.
