Chapter 3 #2
“I do. I have a house in France. But just a couple of days ago, I had been considering moving to Montana to be closer to my fathers and brother. The one that’s mated.
He and my sire work for the paranormal council.
My omega father had mentioned that the two larger universities in Montana have anthropology departments and are looking for professors.
I could easily fill that role if I wanted and they were willing to accept me. ”
Asher just sat there and nodded.
“Would you maybe wish to go there? Or did you want to go to France?”
Asher shrugged. “I don’t know the difference. As long as I can find somewhere to work so I can contribute, I’ll go wherever.”
How did one tell their newly found mate that they didn’t need for them to work?
“You mentioned you were twenty-eight,” I said.
Asher nodded. “I’m not. I’m almost three hundred.
” Asher’s eyes widened, and I chuckled. “Yeah, I thought you might react that way. My brother Ben, he’s the youngest and is seven years younger than me, and his One I would say is around your age.
Does the age difference bother you?” It would be an issue if it did.
I couldn’t change my age, and I only got the one mate.
“No. I just…fae don’t normally have to wait so long to find our mates. We usually find them by our midforties, fifties at the latest. Sometimes, in more rare instances, it can be longer, but for the most part, we find our mates pretty young.”
“Sadly, the same can’t be said for those of us here in this realm.
” I took another bite of food, wondering how it was still hot, but when I thought about it, maybe I already knew.
“You won’t have to work if you don’t wish to.
Neither will I, to be honest. I was only working because I didn’t have much outside of work.
I enjoy being outdoors, but I’m a shifter, and that isn’t uncommon.
But at my age, I’ve had a lot of time to work and build up a financial portfolio.
Add in the fact that my family is from an older line, and really, we don’t have to work.
We just do because we become somewhat bored. My omega father doesn’t work though.”
“You have an omega father?” I nodded while chewing my last bite of eggs. “You take after him, then? You said your other parent is a sire and a warlock.”
“Yes. I’m the only fox shifter that they had. I take after my dad, who is the most amazing and sweetest man you will possibly ever meet. He’s going to love you, so I hope that won’t be an issue.”
Asher seemed to perk up at that. “Yeah? I don’t mind being near your family.
I was raised without my siblings, and my parents weren’t terrible, but they weren’t great.
” Asher sighed. “They just seemed old and worn out, to be honest. Which is crazy because they met young, and unless they had a whole other family that none of us know about, they are only in their sixties and seventies.”
“My own parents did not meet young, not really. But I’m not young either.”
“I don’t mind. Your age isn’t an issue for me. As long as mine isn’t for you. I know not everyone wants a much younger mate.”
I shrugged and picked up my crumpet and held it for a moment.
“I have no issues with your age. Nor do I expect you to work. I will stop going on expeditions so I can be home with you, and yes, I hope to have children with you. How many will be your choice since you’re the omega and will be carrying them. ”
Asher snorted. I took a bite of my crumpet and wished I hadn’t because I started coughing at the next words that came out of his mouth. “At least six. Maybe more.”
Six? He wanted half a dozen children?
After getting the bit of crumpet out of my throat, I took another drink of coffee and looked at my mate.
He was giving me a serious look, and I could only nod in agreement.
“If you so wish to have six, we will have six. It isn’t an issue for me, Asher.
I love children but had assumed that I wasn’t going to find my mate and have a family of my own.
” I knew my brother and his One had decided they were good for the time being.
They were happy with their twins, and there was nothing wrong with that.
Nor was there anything bad about Asher wanting a fairly large family.
A lot of paranormals tended to have larger numbers of children simply because they lived longer lives.
“You honestly don’t have an issue with the number of children I want?”
I shook my head. “I don’t, no. You might change your mind once we start having them, and I’ll support that as well.”
“And I don’t have to work?”
Another shake of my head. “You won’t be able to once you are pregnant and showing. Unless you decide to work for the council or some other paranormal-only business, you won’t be able to work with humans. They don’t know about us.”
“I have the ability to hide my pregnancy. It can be draining on me, though, if I try to do it for longer periods of time.”
“There is no need for that.” I finished my brunch, and after pushing the plate to the side, I picked my mug back up and took the last drink of coffee.
“Do you have any questions for me?”
“What’s anthropology? The fates said you liked to dig stuff up and do things like that.
” Asher got up suddenly and went to his bag.
After finding what he was most likely looking for, he brought it back to the table and opened a soft drawstring pouch.
When he dumped it out, there were several gorgeous rocks that poured out onto the table.
“I only have a few rocks, but I found them. I’d dug one up, and after I cleaned and polished it, others saw it and started offering me coins for one of their own.
It was always fun to go digging for them, but I’ve not ever done it to your level, I don’t believe. ”
I shook my head. “No, probably not. After the storms pass, I’ll take you over to the museum, and you can see some of the finds that were discovered in the past few years.
” I would certainly take Asher on digs with me if it was something he showed interest in.
“The rocks are very pretty, Asher. When we settle somewhere, we’ll have to have them put into a shadow box, and we can display them if you wish.
Then we can enjoy their beauty all the time.
” I wasn’t sure what type of rocks they were, but they were unlike any I’d ever seen before.
“That is sweet of you. I accept,” Asher said. I chuckled, and he grinned. Yes, he was certainly showing a much more open side. I happened to like it. A lot.
“Good. Would you like to talk some more? Ask more questions?” I stood and placed my plate back on the cart to push into the hallway. “I should send my brother a message first though. I ended a call with him and don’t want him to worry.”
“I don’t mind,” Asher told me. He stood, and when he came around the table and grabbed the cart, I gave him a questioning look. “You said you needed to message your brother? You can do that, and I’ll put this in the hallway.”
I was torn, but Asher seemed to win because he somehow started pushing the cart that I was holding on to. I watched him for a second before I pulled my phone out of my pocket and texted Benjamin.
Me: I’ll call you back in a few days after the storm. Something has come up, and it’s going to require my attention for the next few days. And I won’t have reliable service during the storms.
The reply came almost immediately.
Ben: Is everything all right?
Me: Fine. Just something unexpected, yet important. I’ll let you know about it later. Give the twins hugs and kisses for me.
Ben: Will do. I hope you get things dealt with.
I grinned, and placed my phone on the table beside my laptop.
Asher had already returned and was sitting on the couch once again, this time with a pillow on his lap and his feet tucked under him.
A quick glance toward the door told me he’d removed his shoes.
I smiled as I went over to join him. It was time to get to know everything about my mate that I could.