Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Mira stood in her adopted parents’ room at the bed-and-breakfast and watched as her mom zipped up her overnight bag. They were leaving early in the morning, so this was goodbye for the time being.
She wasn’t sure when she’d see them again. They were going to catch up to the Festival of the Revel and continue to follow Velastra, the star that had led them to Northern Ohio in the first place.
“A few months, I think,” her dad said.
“What?” Mira asked.
“You were wondering when we’d see each other again, and it’ll be a few months. Around Thanksgiving.”
She shook her head. “Did you have a vision or read my mind or something?”
He smiled. “I can just see what you’re thinking.”
“I am. There have been a lot of changes in a short amount of time.”
And that was the truth. Her world had been turned upside down several times in the last week. Then she’d heard from Leo earlier in the day that the pack-owned dealership had been targeted by the anti-shifter people, and things were looking grim.
“I’m losing you guys,” she said. “It’s the first time I haven’t been traveling with you in my whole life.”
Daphne walked over and put her hands on her shoulders with a gentle squeeze. “You’re not losing us; our paths are just diverging for a while. It’s what happens in families. We always thought that when you found your mate, you might settle somewhere. Nomadic life isn’t for everyone.”
“Besides, it seems like the gryphons are thinking about settling in the area, so you get to spend time with your biological family, which is something that we had always wished for you,” Gideon said.
Her phone buzzed, and she saw a text from Leo.
Would your family mind bringing you to the dealership? I can’t get away, and we can’t spare an escort for you. Unless you want to stay at the B we’ll just have to make arrangements with the security team.”
When they reached the dealership, she found Leo in one of the bays working on a vehicle. He had grease on his hands and a smudge on his cheek, and he looked mouth-wateringly delicious in his coveralls.
He looked up when she walked in, and he set the tool he was using down and moved swiftly to her, swinging her up in a hug and kissing her. “Damn, I missed you.”
She smiled and hugged him. “I missed you, too. How’s it going?”
He sighed, setting her on her feet. “It’s been a ridiculously long day. We had enough tires on hand to take care of the vehicles being picked up tomorrow by customers, and we’ll get two of three shipments in on Sunday. It’s a clusterfuck of epic proportion.”
“I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this.” When they’d talked earlier, he’d asked if she was willing to help out in the office on Saturday and answer phones, and she was happy to help out in whatever way the pack needed.
Plus, she’d get to spend time with Leo, even if he’d be elbow deep in vehicle repairs.
“Me too. I’m just glad no one was hurt. They screwed us big time, but we didn’t lose anyone, so I’m focusing on that.”
“I brought you dinner,” she said. “Come on and take a break. My family’s in the conference room setting up.”
The dealership had a large conference room with a big oval table surrounded by chairs. When they’d arrived, she’d gone straight to find Leo, and her family had set up the dinner they’d picked up from a place near the B she’d fallen.
“I love you,” they both said at the same time.
Then they laughed.
“I do,” he said, as they both rose to their feet and hugged, soaking wet and satisfied.
“I do too,” she said.