“Isn't it always?”
“But you love it.”
“Yeah, I do. Dis is what I want to do, so it's all worth it.”
“Dat's what matters, Jules.” Mia was proud of her brother. He pushed himself every day to be better because he was determined to become a police officer and join the New Orleans Police Department. She knew his end goal was to one day become a detective.
“It is. How's da weddin' plannin' comin'?”
“We've picked a date. March 18th.”
“It's about damn time,” Julius teased her. “I mean, after all, you've been engage for two months now. Sheesh, woman, it took you long enough.”
“Oh, hush you.” Mia laughed. “Mama kept your dinner warmin' in da oven. Go in an clean up, you stink,” she teased.
“How do you put up wit' her?” he asked Gage.
“It's a chore sometimes,” Gage said and winked at his mate.
“Ugh, men!” she teased right back and they all laughed.
“I'll let you two get back to your cuddlin'.”
Mia heard the longing in her brother's voice and it made her heart hurt. He wanted so badly to have that for himself, but he was too afraid to really go after what he wanted. Sure, he was determined to follow his dreams, professionally, to become a cop, but when it came to his private life he kept so much of himself hidden from the world. “Jules...”
Julius waved a hand at her. “No, it's fine, Mia. I'm fine.” He knew he sounded defensive. “Enjoy your evenin',” he added and went inside.
“I see he's still refusin' to let himself find his own happiness.”
Mia arched a brow at her mate. “You know?”
“A'course I know, I've known for years. I'd have to be blind to not see it. What's he afraid of?”
“Dat it will hurt his chances of becoming a police officer if it gets out dat he's gay. I wish he didn't feel like he has to hide dat part of himself.”
“Its harder on men den it is on women, when dey're not straight. We're expected to chase pussy and if we don't we're not 'real men'. Dat's how society looks at it and it's hard to overcome dat. Give him time to get his footin' in his career and I'm sure tings will change. He'll be able to embrace who he really is wit'out fear.”
Mia sighed softly. “I hope you're right.” She curled against Gage as the sun set and the stars came out. This was her favorite time of the day, when night was descending and he was there at her side. “Have I told you today how much I love you?” she murmured quietly.
“Mm, yes, but feel free to say it again because I'll never get tired of hearin' it.”
She laughed softly. “I love you, Gage, wit' my whole heart.”
“I love you too, Princess. More den life itself.”
They fell quiet then and just enjoyed the stillness of the late summer night.
Chapter Fifteen
Lily
Being a lone wolf wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Okay, so maybe most wolf shifters weren't lone wolves, but there were some and the few she'd met in the two years she'd been on her own acted like it was the greatest feeling in the world. Not so for Lily. She missed the comfort of being with other shifters. She missed the feeling of acceptance and the companionship. If only things had happened differently, she wouldn't have had to flee her home, and her pack, in the middle of the night. But, there was no sense in wishing for something that couldn't happen. All she could do was move on.
Lily wasn't sure what brought her to New Orleans. She could have gone anywhere in the country. Maybe it was because of her best friend, Emelise. She'd lived in Phoenix for a while after she'd left her home in Montana. While there she'd become best friends with a leopard shifter who was without a Pard. That feeling of disconnect had brought them together and solidified their friendship. Emelise talked about wanting to visit New Orleans some day, so maybe that was why Lily ended up there. It was as good a place as any to start her life over. It had been two years since she'd left home and she was finally beginning to relax. She was no longer looking over her shoulder expecting to see her father coming after her.
A week after deciding to put down roots in The Big Easy, Lily found herself in a bit of a predicament. She'd just started working at a little coffee shop bookstore when two leopard shifters came in. That was how she learned New Orleans was Black Water Pard territory. She had to meet with their Alpha to get his approval to remain in the city.
She'd never been on a boat before and her first trip out to the Pard's compound had her gripping the sides of the seat she was on so tightly she was worried she was going to damage it.
