The memory seemed to jolt Xander. “I remember now. You asked me if I’d only seen one man.”
“Yes. That is why I wasn’t sure if my hunch was correct, since Nero and Nishiki were joined at the hip the last time I saw them.” She smiled. “But I said to myself, just in case, let me prepare for my sons to arrive, whenever that may be.”
Nishiki gestured to the pools. “Then… you knew, mother? That we were fish shifters?”
“Of course.” Dr. Pine’s eyes twinkled knowingly, the way they always did. She winked. “But as for the reason why, that’s a story for another day.”
“Aww!” I complained.
Neither Nero or Nishiki seemed entirely disappointed that they weren’t getting the whole tale yet. I had the feeling they were mostly relieved and happy to be reunited with their mother.
“I see you’ve brought your little one with you all the way here,” Dr. Pine said, smiling at Starry. “I’m so glad to see her healthy.”
I happily handed her over. By this point, Dr. Pine was basically extended family, like a communal grandma or something. Dr. Pine smiled and cooed at her as Starry batted at her finger with her paws.
Then, for the first time, Starry popped into human form.
I gasped, and so did Xander.
Starry had thick blond hair with stunning natural black specks running through it, just like her kitten coat. It framed her chubby cheeks and bright eyes. She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.
And of course, I started crying again because I was emotional as hell.
Xander put his hand on my shoulder. “There, there.”
“It’s our baby!” I blubbered.
He chuckled. “I know, Sage.”
* * *
In the end,Nero and Nishiki decided to stay with Dr. Pine. They had a lot to catch up on, and since Dr. Pine had gone out of her way to make them pools for their koi and shark forms, they even had a place to practice shifting.
“Thanks for all your help, truly,” Nishiki said with a smile. “I don’t know what either of us would’ve done without you.”
Nero grinned. “It really does feel like destiny or something that we all met that day.”
“Does that mean you’ve forgiven me for knocking you out?” Xander asked.
“Psh, forget about that. Reuniting me with my family is apology enough.”
Xander looked pleased to hear that. As they shook each other’s hands, I was really glad they could make up without any hard feelings. It was wild how our lives had intertwined in this strange, incredible way and ended up better for it.
“Don’t be a stranger, all right?” I told the twins. “The pack’s always gonna be there if you need us.”
Nishiki nodded. “Please tell everyone I said thank you.”
“Uh, me too, even though I didn’t meet any of them,” Nero added with a lopsided grin.
“Will do!” I promised.
After we said our goodbyes, we set out on our return journey to the pack. No doubt they were all wondering where the hell we’d gone, but at least we had an awesome story to share when we got back.
When we’d past the edge of the canyon, where the yellow hard-packed earth turned to lush grass, a very amazing pun popped into my head.
“Hey. Hey, guys,” I began.
“Oh, gods, here we go,” Remington mumbled.
Xander sighed but smiled at me with the patience only a fated mate could muster. “What is it, Sage?”
“Wouldn’t you say that we had a…fin-tastic adventure?”
Remington groaned, but Xander laughed along.
“Yes, Sage,” Xander said. “You might even say we had awhaleof a time.”
As I cackled loudly, Remington muttered in exasperation, “That doesn’t even make sense!”
