Merry smiled. “I’m glad. But um…” She waved at the teacup. “I’ll pay you to finish the reading.”
“Oh, yeah! Sorry.” Gwyneth took the spoon and stirred the leaves. Then she stared into the cup with intensity. “Lordy, Morgaine! I think we’d better read ourowntealeaves. There’s too much stuff showin’ up in here and it’s all too close to home. Dayum!”
“I thought you didn’t swear, Gwyneth.”
“Shut up, Chad,” both witches yelled.
Jason stood alone on his balcony. He barely noticed the city lights as he ruminated over whether or not it was time to let Merry in on his well-hidden secret. The reason he was so protective of his privacy. The reason the paparazzi was such a pain in the ass, not to mention his aunt Dottie.
Fuck it.He always thought better in his other form, so he yanked off his shirt, bowed his head, and closed his eyes. As he hung onto the narrow metal railing, he felt his body shift. A moment later his talons gripped the railing’s edge and he spread his wings.Ah, sweet freedom.
He knew he made a magnificent display. A majestic falcon soaring above the city. A bird of prey. Master of the skies. Hunters were pretty rare in Boston’s Back Bay, so he felt safe. Silhouetted against the light of the nearly full moon, he let his thoughts run free.
Falcons were monogamous. Now that he had found his mate, he couldn’t lose her to anyone else. How could he ask her to wait two months until he returned from spring training? And why would she come with him if they weren’t married? The answer was simple and frightening. She might not and that was a chance he wasn’t willing to take.
How and when would he tell her what he really was? She deserved to know, especially if he wanted to spend the rest ofhis life with her—and he did. There was a chance he might inadvertently shift in front of her and that, at this stage of their relationship, could be a disaster.
Having only half shapeshifter blood made it harder to control his shifts. His brother had had much more practice since a demanding career hadn’t consumed him. Plus he had the extra motivation of needing to make a normal life for his wife and kids. His sister-in-law knew about the family secret and almost didn’t marry his brother as a result. That’s why he had to be sure to pick the right moment to tell Merry.
Their children would only have one-quarter shapeshifter blood, so might never shift at all, like his brother’s kids—so far. Jason couldn’t imagine his brother having that talk with them. Not only did he have to tell them about the birds and the bees, he had to tell them about the birds and humans.
Jason surely thought his Uncle Ralph must have told Dottie about the Falco family secret, but now he realized his uncle, wisely, had not. His father, a typical Alpha male, was so self-disciplined that he could probably go years without shifting if he wanted to. Only extreme stress could make him shift against his will. He hadn’t even shifted during his heart attack.Thank goodness,his mother had said. They were right in the middle of a dinner party.
The full moon also contributed to the urge to shift at inopportune times. Merry had asked him to accompany her to her home on Thanksgiving, and having just been home for a week, he had accepted. That wasstupid!He hadn’t checked the calendar to see what phase the moon would be in. Since Thanksgiving came late this November, it landed right on the first day of the three days considered the full phase. He had feared shifting in front of her during the last full moon—at the bachelor auction! Only keeping his cool under fire had saved him.
His “workouts” with Merry may have helped him relieve stress. He had been resisting his falcon shifts more easily. He flew high enough during orgasm to rival any falcon flight he’d ever tried, and he didn’t even miss soaring above the city.
Still, not only did he have to divulge to her his shapeshifter secret, but he also had to tell her what being afalconshapeshifter meant. Once falcons chose a mate, they were completely monogamous. He had assumed he and Merry were exclusive, but he had to be certain. To find out otherwise could drive him into a jealous rage, in which case he’d probably shift and peck out the eyeballs of his rival.
And just in case,she also needs to keep her bunny in its cage.
So, he had a lot on his mind. The woman he wanted to marry needed to know what she was getting into. He had to meet her family and impress the hell out of them so they would approve of him taking her so far away from home so soon—if she agreed to accompany him home for Christmas.
What could happen during Thanksgiving, though?Her family seemed very supportive and loving. It would probably be a wonderful experience.That’s the attitude, he told himself. He was worried for nothing—hopefully.
Peering down over the city with his mind more settled, he glided joyously along the river to the ocean and back. He had found his one and only. It was time to celebrate, not ruin it with needless worry.
They got an early start on Thanksgiving morning. Merry and Jason, all bundled up in layers to ward off the chill, climbed into his small sports car. He revved the engine and let it warm up.
Merry glanced at his handsome face. “So, are you ready forthis?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Well, try not to worry. They’re going to love you.”
“But they don’t even know I’m coming. Are you sure it’s fair to spring another guest on them?” He backed out of the alley and pulled onto the street.
“I’m the one who does the cooking, so they won’t care unless we can’t find another place around the dinner table and someone has to eat sitting on the floor.”
“Are you serious?”
She laughed. “Of course not, silly. Relax. Everything’s going to be fine.”
Merry glanced at the other beautiful brownstones as they drove by.
She had planned well. She had given her father the grocery list and had him buy everything she needed ahead of time. Now all she had to do was arrive by eight a.m. to season the turkey and get it cooking.
“What is Thanksgiving at your house usually like?”
