“Nice to meet you both,” Lucas said with a grin. The boys, for their part, nodded, but continued to look around the vast building.
“To answer your question,” Lucas said, focusing back on Mike. “I brought my Nana to visit. It’s actually why you’re here. She needs to speak to the mated couples. They’re in the king’s study. The king asked Talon and me to watch the boys while you speak with them.”
I jerked my gaze to Lucas.What?I was going to have to spend time with him. I’ve been doing all I could to avoid him until I figured things out.
“The boys will be okay. Talon and Lucas will keep them safe. I promise,” Mike whispered.
Jake nodded. “Okay,” he whispered.
Lucas crouched down to be at eye level with the boys. “Sam. Abel. I have some nieces and nephews about your age. They’re playing out back. How about I take you to meet them?”
They nodded eagerly. Turning to Jake, Sam asked, “Can we, Jake?”
“Yes, but no hide and seek. I don’t want to lose you in this big place so soon,” Jake replied.
“Aw, fine.”
I chuckled, falling into step behind Sam and Abel. “Don’t worry, we’ve got an eye on them,” I assured.
Lucas looked up at me and rose before nodding in agreement. With a gentle push, I encouraged the boys to continue walking, and we followed Lucas down the wide, ornate corridor toward the outside patio. The sounds of children’s laughter greeted us before we opened the door.
The patio extended around the whole back of the house, with decorative tile and stone railings. It had stone stairs that led down the lush green grass. Carefully pruned trees and beautiful flowers lined the rails. Two little girls, a boy, and one tiny bunny played on the large, manicured lawn. I knew the rabbit was, in fact, a shifter, probably another one of Lucas’s nieces or nephews.
“Eva, Louie, Millie, come here. I want you to meet Sam and Abel,” Lucas called to the kids.
The little kids turned and squealed. “Uncle Lucas!”
In seconds, they descended and circled around us. The older of the trio stepped in front of Sam. “Hi, I’m Eva. That’s Millie, and that’s Louie,” she said.
“I’m Sam, and he’s Abel,” Sam said, introducing his younger brother.
Louie leaned forward and sniffed, his tiny nose twitching fast. Abel scowled at his actions. “What are you doing?”
Louie’s eyes widened, “Sorry, I didn’t mean—” He looked to Lucas for help.
But before Lucas could say anything, Abel squealed, “Bunny!”
He rushed to pet the brownish fur ball, but the rabbit quickly jumped out of reach and squeaked furiously. Lucas laughed and crouched down beside Sam and Abel.
“That’s Simon. He doesn’t really like to be petted.” Lucas glanced up at me. His soft eyes held the question, ‘Did they know?’
I nodded and bent down to my knee. “That bunny isn’t a normal rabbit,” I said. Abel and Sam scrunched their little brows and stared at me. Smiling, I continued, “You know how Mike and I are lions.” Abel and Sam looked at the kids and Lucas quickly, but still nodded. They took the secret of shifters seriously and swore never to tell. “Well, Simon, he’s like us but a rabbit shifter. That’s why Louie was smelling you. He wasn’t sure if you were shifters.”
Sam’s eyes widened and focused on Louie. “You’re really a bunny?”
Louie grinned. “Yeah. I’m still learning. I’m only seven. Sorry.”
“That’s so awesome!” Sam yelled and hurried to his side.
Abel’s eyes remained fixed on Simon. After a moment of hesitation, Simon tentatively hopped a step closer, his ears twitching with curiosity. Taking that as an invitation, Abel moved closer, his fingers reaching out gently. But before they could make contact, Simon hopped away with a playful twist, leading the kids on a chase. The garden soon echoed with their joyful giggles, and I grinned. Seeing these carefree moments was terrific. I rose to my feet and leaned against the stone railing. Lucas came up beside me.
“I wish all kids were so accepting,” he said as he watched them play.
I nodded. “Sam and Abel are great. They’re so protective of Scruffy and the paranormal.”
“Scruffy?”
“That’s what they call Mike,” I replied with a laugh.
