“He’s like the wolf-man.” Through the bond, I feltimmediate resistance from him.You’ll be sick of her once you show her your Primal form,I said, giving him a smile.She’ll adore you.
His cheeks reddened.Will she?
I gave him a little nod.Absolutely. You’ll be her favourite.
I could tell he was pleased with that. It hadn’t occurred to me that they would be worried about my sisters liking them, but I could feel that anxiety fromallof them.
“And lastly, that’s…” I hesitated a moment.Have you thought of a name you like better?I asked Thor, meeting his wide stare.
No, he replied hesitantly.I haven’t.
I pressed my lips together. “Well, his current name is Thor,” I said quietly. “But he doesn’t like it very much. So, we need to think of a new one.”
“I can help,” Maisie said, pulling her head from mine and raising her hand. “What about…Doug?”
Thor looked at me but shook his head. “Not a fan,” I said, tickling her side. “Try again.”
Maisie giggled, her tears completely dried up now. “Troy?”
Not at all,Thor said, though a smile quirked his lips.
“Nope.” I couldn’t help but smile as she tapped her chin like she was deep in thought.
To my surprise, though, Eloise spoke up. “Arthur,” she said quietly, still resting her chin on my shoulder. “Still has Thor in it, but not quite the same. And it kinda fits, considering where we are.”
Through the bond, I could tell he was mulling it over.I like it, I said, offering him a smile.
You do?he asked.
“I think it’s perfect,” I told him. “But only if you like it.”
Without hesitation, he bowed his head.I like it, too.
“Then I would like to introduce you toArthur. He’s a bear shifter, and he doesn’t speak. If you want an answer from him, you’ll have to hold his hand, okay?” I said, looking from Maisie, to Ginny, then at Eloise. “It’s the only way he can communicate with you unless he tells me through the mate bond.”
I could tell they wanted to ask why, but by some small miracle, they didn’t. They knew better to pry or ask uncomfortable questions at least.
“Oh, and I’m Thea, if it isn’t obvious.” My best friend gave them a little wave. “Species unknown.”
Xerxes stared at her for a moment before shrugging. “I don’t know. You aren’t a Primal.”
Thea gave me a questioning look, but I shook my head. I hadn’t even thought it a possibility she could be from his world, though now it felt…worse. Like we might never figure it out.
She is oddly familiar,Damon said, taking me by surprise.Though I cannot place how.
A shiver rolled down my spine as he met my stare, but he shook his head. I wasn’t sure it was a good idea or not to mention that to Thea, to get her hopes up if he was wrong, so I didn’t.
Instead, I lowered Maisie to the ground. “You guys want to go pack your things so you can come home with us?” I asked, looking at each of them.
Maisie grinned up at me, but her eyes quickly dropped to my stomach. To my utter horror, she poked a finger at it and said, “You’re having babies?”
“Youwhat?!” Thea turned on me with wide eyes. “When were you going to mention that?”
I blinked down at Maisie, then looked at Thea. “How did she even…?”
“Sienna’s pregnant, Maisie called it. We don’t know how,” Thea replied. “But when wereyougoing to say anything?”
“Uh.” I shook my head slowly, tucking that away for later. The last thing I needed was my baby sister going around telling people they’re pregnant randomly. “I was going to say something when you guys were settled at the house. But I suppose I can’t now…”
