Chapter Seven
Dax
“Oh, thank god you’re awake. These two idiots were about to make me lose my shit. That one thought you were dying.” Alia grouses while pointing at me.
“To be fair, I’ve never seen anyone faint before.
I mean I’ve knocked people out before, but never seen someone just faint like that.
Or is it called swooning? Whatever it was it’s scary as fuck to watch happen.
I think I’m traumatized for life now.” I argue back as Chase points at me nodding in agreement.
“What he said.” Chase says in agreement.
“Holy shit! Myra, you’ve made them agree on something. Quick, take a picture and mark the date on the calendar. It may never happen again. I need this documented.” Alia jokes as she helps a laughing Myra out of the bed of the truck. It was the best we could do in a rush when she fainted.
“Maybe we should ring the church bells and contact the media. Something like this probably won’t come around for at least another millennia or two. By then they will be ghosts and getting photographic evidence will be impossible.” Myra giggled out and I couldn’t help the smile that touched my lips.
“Hey, we agree on things. Don’t we?” Chase grumbles defensively while hitting me in my chest.
“Yeah, we totally agree on things and stuff all the time. You just don’t see us when it happens. Isn’t that right Chase?” I attempt to back up my brother, but I’m totally lying and Alia’s eyes narrow on me knowingly.
“Don’t listen to them Myra. Lies. Both of you are full of nothing but lies.
You can’t even agree on who’s truck to take to work every day.
Or what time you need to leave for work for that matter.
Everything is an argument between you two.
” Alia scolds as she walks Myra over to the passenger seat of her truck and has her sit down.
“What about you? Will you lie to me now Alia?” Myra asks the question so softly I almost miss it. Alia looks over at me and Chase for support, but we both just shrug at a loss as to what to say to her.
“Oh Myra, no, I will never lie to you. Ask me anything and I will give you nothing but the truth.” Alia declares while hugging Myra tight to her body.
“But you have lied to me. Haven’t you Alia? Omitting the truth is the same as lying, isn’t that what you always tell me?” Myra says sadly.
“Only because it’s against the rules to tell anyone. It’s especially against the rules to tell...” Alia hesitates, looking over at me and Chase like she’s looking for guidance from us.
“To tell a human. Was that what you were going to say? It’s against the rules to tell a human.
Yeah, I kind of figured that out. But I’m your best friend Alia, we tell each other everything.
You know all about...well you know everything about me.
” Myra whispers, and my interest is peaked.
What could Alia know about her that she doesn’t want anyone else to know about?
Maybe Myra isn’t the sweet innocent woman I think she is.
The curious kitty in me wants to know all her secrets, as does the man in me.
What does Alia know that we don’t? She’s our mate, we should know everything about her. We will. In time, we will know everything about her. Be patient, she’s been through something and will need time.
Blech, patience is my least favorite word! It will be worth it, I promise. She’s like a thorny rose bush, watching it bloom is the best part.
“Yes, Myra. It’s against the rules to tell humans we exist. If the human world knew about us, they would want to dissect us, to study us, and to use us for their own means.
We stay in hiding to keep ourselves safe.
Please don’t take it personally.” Alia begs, tears in her eyes and Chase moves to comfort her.
“Don’t take it personally?! Are you serious right now?
I tell you everything and you what, only tell me the superficial, the most basic information?
That seems rather one-sided for best friends.
Was I even your best friend? Or was I just some human pet you kept around for entertainment?
” Myra sobs out her voice catching at the end.
The need to comfort her is overpowering, but I know right now she won’t accept it.
She’s hurt and angry at all of us right now.
“What? No, it was nothing like that. You are my best friend Myra, for now and for always.” Alia pleads with her, tears streaming down her face.
“Did you laugh behind my back at how stupid I was for never figuring it out? You and Chase, your mate. Which I now realize he didn’t mean like the Aussies mean mate, but rather like an animal means a mate.
Because that’s what you all are isn’t it, animals?
” Myra barely whispers the accusation, looking directly at each of us, none of us can deny it, and we all nod slowly at her.
My gut aches with the pain that is etched on both of their faces.
I want to take away the hurt, but I know this is something they have to work out between themselves.
“No, never have I ever laughed behind your back Myra. Why would you ever think that? This isn’t some joke we play on people.
This wasn’t about hiding something from you; this is about protecting everyone I love and care for.
My parents, my brothers, and Chase, even his dipshit brother.
If the world knew we existed, what do you think would happen?
Huh?” Alia is hurt and angry with Myra’s accusations.
Though I understand her feelings, I don’t like her anger being directed at Myra.
A growl rumbles up my throat, and all eyes turn to me.
She can’t talk to our mate like that. It’s not her fault she’s human. We could change that. We should change that. No, we shouldn’t asshole. She’s perfect just as she is, there is nothing that needs to be changed about her.
“Keep that shit under control.” Chase growls back at me.
“Sorry, it’s not me, it's him. He doesn’t like the conflict between them. He’s a bit protective.” I apologize, knowing Chase’s own instincts are riled up for Alia.
“I would never hurt any of you, especially Alia. Your secrets are safe with me, I promise. There is no need to get your dander up over little ole me. No need to get all protective, the person least likely to tell anyone your secrets, right here.” Myra points her two thumbs directly at herself with a weak smile on her lips, causing all of us to laugh.
It releases some of the tension in the air, calming my tiger.
“Oh, Dax’s animal isn’t being protective of us, his animal is being protective of you.” Chase practically crows like he knows everything.
“Protective of me? Why would he be protective of me? He barely knows me. He’s your brother and Alia’s what... mate in-law. Is that a thing?” Myra asks, scrunching up her nose with the question. Damn she’s so fucking cute, even when she’s completely wrong.
“No. There is no such thing as a mate in-law. He’ll be her brother-in-law once we get married, but until then he’s just my dumbass brother to her.
He’s protective of you because...” Chase starts to tell her everything, and I interrupt him before he can spill the beans.
We haven’t even explained shifters to her yet, explaining the fact that she’s my mate will only make matters worse.
“Because you are alone amongst a bunch of shifters and you should have someone on your side. That’s why.” I declare, giving Chase a warning glare. He’ll scare her into running far far away from me without ever giving me a chance.
“Nice try, he wasn’t about to say that. Typical hot man, thinking he can hide things from me. Alia, why is he protective of me? Remember you promised to tell me the truth now.” Myra gives me my own warning glare, that says I better keep my mouth shut.
Great, now Alia is going to fuck everything up. We will never see Myra’s boobs at this rate. Do something! Maybe it won’t be so bad, give her a chance to explain.
“That’s a little complicated, and you would need to understand what we are first before I explain that part.
This isn’t me trying to lie to you, this is me making sure you understand one part of us first before jumping into deeper water.
“ Alia puts her hands out pleadingly at Myra, asking her friend for understanding. I pace back and forth, knowing that once she knows everything she’s going to run.
I’m going to lose her before I even have a chance to have her. My tiger whines inside my head.
“Will you settle the fuck down?” Chase growls out and I growl right back at him not giving a single shit if I piss him off.
“Both of you knock it off, you’re going to scare her and then I’m going to have to kick both of your asses.” Alia growls back and we both take a step back with our hands up in surrender. Alia’s animal might be small, but she doesn’t take any shit when she’s changed.
“Wow, you must be something big and predatory or poisonous for them to back off that quickly. Let me guess, you’re a wolf or maybe a lion?
Yeah, I’d bet you are lioness. That would fit your personality.
” I cover my laugh by clearing my throat.
I get an elbow to my ribs from Chase and a dirty look from Alia before she turns back to Myra.
“No, not a lion. They just love me too much to hurt me when I’m changed and I’d take advantage of that.” Alia explains gently.
“She’s right, Chase couldn’t hurt her because he’s, her mate. It would be like trying to hurt himself. It can’t be done for our kind.” I add, trying to emphasize the meaning behind being a mate to one of us hoping she’ll understand how important she is to me eventually.
“But you’re not her mate. Right? Or can there be more than one mate?” Myra asks, her forehead wrinkling in confusion. Damn she’s fucking cute even when she’s confused.