Page 20

Sully

We ended up shifting to sleep on a few clean blankets on the floor, too tired to get clean sheets for the bed after a night of amazing sex. Perhaps not the most romantic of ways to end a bonding night, but going nose to nose with my dingo mate was thrilling. After all these years of people dismissing me, telling me I’d made it up, the jeers of “dingo boy” ringing in my ears, this was my vindication.

Not only had there been a dingo in the woods, there was one there again. Even better, he was my fated mate. He’d never put those sharp teeth to use in harming me, only protecting.

When we’d shifted, my little hindbrain had been petrified of breathing too deeply and making Imri attack, completely forgetting it went against our bond to do so. No, my dingo was a little puppy for me. He playfully licked my face, sniffed me all over, then curled around me to sleep for the rest of the night.

Waking, still in my quokka form, I momentarily wondered why I was so hot. The trailer’s AC had gone off in the night and I was suffocating under the weight and fur of a dingo.

Imri was a cuddler. Adorable, really.

Unable to get the traction to push him off with my stronger back feet, I shifted back into my human form, feeling aches and pains all over. A night on the floor had been a bad idea.

“Move!” I shoved at Imri. The dingo opened a lazy eye. “We can’t sleep in. I’ve got work this afternoon and you better come meet my parents before they find out about us from someone else.”

Imri’s eye closed. He turned his head, pretending to be sleeping. I tapped him with my foot.

“Don’t ignore me. Besides, if I know anything about kids, they’ll be here soon.”

Really, it was like I’d summoned them. Someone knocked on the door.

“Dad? Noona said Sully had a sleepover. Will you make us pancakes?” Sandy shouted from the other side of the door .

My mate shifted back so he could speak. “Give us a few minutes, Sandy. See you back at the house.”

“Pancakes?” he asked hopefully.

“Yeah,” Imri sighed with a fond smile. “I’ll make pancakes.”

Sandy scurried away with a noise of delight.

Imri helped me off the floor, then pulled me into his arms. He dipped me low as he kissed me, earning a laugh for his silly but romantic behavior.

“Breakfast with the kids, then go meet the parents?” he asked, nuzzling his nose against mine. I loved how physically affectionate he was! He pulled away and took his time dressing, his body full of tension.

Why did he look like he’d rather walk over spikes in bare feet than meet my parents?

I laid my hand on his back, feeling the muscles bunch and release with his movements. “Are you nervous?”

“Sully.” He turned, gripping my hips. He continued, mock patiently, “I fear I’m not as brave as you are. Parents scare me.” His shudder was exaggerated.

“If I really thought you couldn’t cope, then I wouldn’t have suggested it. You took in three kids and made them your family. You are plenty brave.”

He held my hand as we walked up to the house.

“Dad, Gaga let me drive your truck!” Rowan’s face was bright with his excitement.

“I thought the boy should start learning to drive, especially now that you have a pregnant mate,” his mom, Ellie, said, clearly waiting for an argument.

“Okay, well, I’d like to take over lessons, if that’s okay, Mom?” She nodded, pride in her eyes. “Where did you go?”

“Oh, we just drove Trisha down the track to her car, then came back. We really need a better road.” Rowan’s smile dimmed some. “Do you think it’ll be safe to have people come here to do it?”

“Rowan, your magical control isn’t nearly as bad as you think,” Imri stated simply, honesty in his tone.

“You have a problem controlling your magic?” I asked. “Because I didn’t even know you were a witch until yesterday,” I pointed out from my place at the table. The twins were waiting anxiously for their breakfast, Berry cuddled up to Farah, and Sandy almost in my lap. Apparently, I’d made an impression on him.

“Really?” Rowan’s hope was a brittle thing, I could sense it.

“I’d never lie to you,” I vowed. “Until it was mentioned, I had no clue you might have a problem with managing it. I think you’d all be fine if people came to fix the road.”

He took his place next to Imri at the counter, ready to create a feast for us all.

The approval I saw not only in Imri’s eyes, but those of my new in-laws, warmed my soul. These people were my people. My new family and a place where I really thought I’d fit in.

Breakfast was a noisy, chaotic event and I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. Imri pushed his mom out of the way to whip up an enormous batch of pancakes for everyone. Aware I didn’t eat meat, his mama prepared some fruit for me. They bickered lovingly amongst themselves while cooking.

By the time we were finished, I was fit to burst! I got the impression Imri was stalling some, though.

“Imri, we need to go. I’m supposed to have an afternoon shift and I want to pack up some of my stuff to take here.”

“You’re moving in?” I could tell he was utterly delighted.

“Yeah, so I’m gonna need you to fix that road so my scooter—“

“Absolutely not!” The objection didn’t come from Imri, though I was sure it was on his lips. Nope, his mama, Farah, blurted it out. “Imri can leave you with the truck and he can use your scooter until we get you a car and get this damn road fixed.”

Oh-kay, I was not arguing with Farah.

“It’s for the baby, Sully. Scooters are so dangerous, and when you get bigger, your center of gravity will be off. I think we’d all feel better if you were driving something a little more solid,” Ellie added.

When they put it like that, I couldn’t really argue with them. Imri had said he wanted me to get a car and we would need it with three kids and a fourth on the way. Wow, had my life changed in the span of a day.

Even I was nervous when I pulled the truck into the driveway of my parents’ house. There were a couple of hours before my shift, meaning we didn’t have long for the interrogation they were likely to give Imri. I’d already called them to let them know I was on my way home and needed to speak to them.

They’d thought I was out with Orson until Orson’s parents realized he’d left town. Then they’d started blowing up my phone, worried until I said I’d been with Trisha.

I’d placated them enough to get a hesitant Imri into the truck and on the road into Haenvale. He’d even let me drive, saying I needed the practice.

“C’mon, better not make them wait much longer.” I ushered Imri into the house.

My parents froze when they saw us appear in the living room. None of us were wearing our inhibitors.

“It’s alright,” Imri said, calmly. “I might smell like a predator, but I’m used to prey animals. Besides, Sully is my mate. I’d never harm his family.”

I thought my mom was going to pass away from fright. Maybe she had a flashback of the events which pushed her towards Haenvale. She never told me what happened, just that she needed to be safe. She clutched at my dad’s hand until her knuckles went white.

“Mate?” Only one word escaped her lips.

“Yeah, Mom, I told you I’d found him.” I squeezed Imri’s hand, not entirely enthusiastic about how things were going, considering my much warmer reception at his home. I had to give my parents a little grace. They were prey animals reacting naturally. They also had traumatic pasts I knew very little about.

“We thought you just didn’t want Orson,” Dad said, looking puzzled but less scared than before.

“To be fair, Orson didn’t want me either. He’s run off with the omega he’s in love with,” I announced.

“You knew?” Mom’s eyes widened with shock.

“Um, yeah? He had his bags with him last night. He dropped me off with Trisha, then went to pick him up.” I gave a careless shrug. I was delighted for Orson, and knew he would be happy for me in return.

“Oh Sully! The town’s talking about how you must be devastated!” Mom wailed.

“Well, I’m not, because I found my fated mate and we’re bonded.” She looked upset. Okay, if she wasn’t about to have a heart attack, my next announcement might just kill her off. “And we’re pregnant!”

“What?” Mom screeched.

I gave up trying to calm my mom down, instead telling Dad I was going to take Imri to my room to pack some of my stuff. He was upset that I was already moving out, but considering how they were reacting to my news, I thought a bit of space was in order.

“That went…” Imri sighed. He slumped onto my bed, falling back to lie with his arms open, waiting for me to join him. He sat up when I didn’t. “You okay?”

Inside my closet, I brushed a tear away. It was stupid. I knew my surprise had shocked them, and they’d eventually come around, but I’d childishly hoped they’d find a little happiness for me, or at least welcome Imri into the family.

“They didn’t even ask your name!” I let out a sob.

In the next moment, Imri’s arms were around me. “Are you sure you want to go to work? Things might be worse than this at the hotel and I won’t be there…”

“I can’t just quit. Can I?”

“Sweetheart, I’ve got a ton of money from Uncle Malik. We can work things out until you decide what you want to do with your life. You’ve got your degrees. Are you even using them at the hotel?”

“No.” I shook my head against his chest. He was so warm and comforting. I’d never felt so safe in my life.

“Then why don’t you quit? You can go work in that café you like if you really want to have a job.” I’d told him all about my job at Rosie’s when I saw a takeout cup in the truck from there.

“You wouldn’t mind?”

“Not at all. Your happiness is all that matters to me. If that’s working at a café while you figure out your next steps, then great.”

“You’re amazing! I’m so lucky. ”

“No, I’m the lucky one. I got myself a cute, smart omega.” He kissed my forehead tenderly. “Now, why don’t we gather up everything you can’t live without and go car shopping?”

My sister’s calling interrupted our packing. We’d barely started while I worked up the courage to call the hotel and quit. Vanessa saved me the stress by getting there first.

“Hey, Ness.”

“Hi Sully. Listen, I know you’re supposed to be in soon, but we don’t think that’s a good idea. Mom and Dad… they just need time, okay?”

“So I’m fired? No, congrats on your mating and the baby—“

“It’s true? You’re pregnant? And you really mated to a dingo shifter?” I couldn’t get a read on her reaction.

The line was silent for a moment, probably confirming things for Vanessa.

“Sully, I’m proud of you for taking your own path! Congratulations. I’d love to meet your mate—“

“Imri. His name is Imri. He’s got three adopted kids, Rowan, Sandy and Berry. He’s the best, Vanessa. I think you’d like him.”

“If you do, then I’m sure I will. Just give Mom and Dad time to wrap their heads around it.”

“Ask her if she’d like to come for dinner soon,” Imri whispered.

I passed the invitation on, which she readily accepted. I couldn’t help but smile at my mate. After how things went with my parents, he was still open to trying with my family.

“Can’t wait to meet you, Imri,” Vanessa called. I’d put the phone on speaker so I could pack at the same time as talking to my sister. He returned the sentiment. “Proud of you, Sully,” she repeated before she ended the call.

We packed up everything I really wanted quickly after that. I even called Rosie’s to check if they were still hiring. I had a job starting the next week before I managed to get my question out.

Imri’s arm around me was the only thing stopping me from breaking down when I left my parents’ house. Dad tried to apologize.

“Sully, please, give us some time. I… we just need to get used to the idea.”

Silence filled the space between us until he finally spoke again. “You’re safe, aren’t you?”

“Of course! Imri would never hurt me. I’m where I want to be: with my mate. ”

We left then, Imri feeling my pain over the bond. I knew I’d shocked my parents, still I’d hoped for a better reaction.

“Why don’t we go car shopping tomorrow?” Imri asked. “You look worn out.”

I felt mentally and emotionally exhausted. All I wanted to do was go home to the woods where I felt loved, safe, warm.

He drove us back, leaving me to process the day in silence. His hand kept returning to my leg, reassuring me he was with me. Together, we’d get past this.

The house, our home, was full of life and laughter when we returned. Everyone was delighted I didn’t have to work, so I could play instead.

Surrounded by my new family, thoughts of my mom and dad felt a mile away. They’d adjust, or we’d learn how to be without them. I didn’t regret chasing the dingo in the woods since it got me my mate and a new, better life.