Page 77 of Savoring Her Snake

“It sounds too good to be true.”

“I thought so, too. You will learn to trust us over time. I would like to be friends. Anytime you have questions, come to me or any of us. We are honest; some of us are too honest.” She leans back. “All the men are hot and powerful, but they are still men. They piss us off, and we have to get together with the girls and bitch. Of course, we don’t stay mad very long. They’re sexy and know how to apologize.” She smirks and tucks her hair behind her ear. “My mates are especially good at it.” Her smile goes away. “I don’t know Heath well. We haven’t spent much time with him, but I see the way he looks at you. I’ve seen the same look many times from Kerian and River. Every shifter and vampire in our family gets the same fierce ‘I can’t live without her’ look. Heath hasn’t allowed us to know him, and I understand. We all have our demons to fight. We met him because of an extreme situation where he came off as the bad guy.”

“He didn’t intend to hurt her,” I rush to defend.

“We know,” she says softly. “I’m not judging him. I can also see he is trying to protect himself. We do things we aren’t proud of when we fear we will get hurt. Do you love him?”

“Yes.” I rub my stomach, feeling the ache of his absence.

“Don’t let him go. If my mates gave up on me, I wouldn’t have this life that I love. They fought for me when I refused to see a future. Heath may not admit his love, but look deeper. Many women wouldn’t see past his rough demeanor and the scowl he wears so often, yet you did. Don’t stop. Accept him and your animal.”

“Thank you. Heath knew I was nervous. It helped.” I smile, and some of the fear of the change slides away.

“Your bond is true. It will all work out,” she says firmly and bounces her hands off the couch. “Are you hungry? What time is it? It’s a beautiful house, but I couldn’t live down here. I would sleep all day.”

“I am hungry. We got distracted before I could eat. I think it’s the middle of the night.” I laugh. “Heath took my phone.” We stand and walk toward the stairs.

“I think he left it on the table upstairs,” Ava says. I follow behind her. “You shouldn’t get any more messages.”

“I hope.” The living room is filled with shifters and vampires talking, but not as many as there were. The television is on, and Sally is yelling at the athletes on the screen. River must be rooting for the opposite team because he’s laughing at her anger. Quinn is holding his mate on his lap, talking over his shoulder to Micah. Daisy is beside him, running her fingers through his hair, but is watching Sally. I don’t see Serenity, Marie, or the dragons, and the lions left. Ava’s mates stare at her as we enter the room; their worship is very clear. River jumps up despite Sally’s protest and beats Kerian to Ava.

“Cupcake,” he says and kisses her. I look away, my gaze connecting to Kerian’s.

“Sit,” he says softly. Pulling out a chair at the table, I see my phone and pull it in front of me as I sit.

“We thought you would be hungry,” River says, placing a plate in front of me. He carefully unwraps a sandwich as I watch him in surprise. “They say I don’t share food,” he grumbles, filling my plate. He adds three different kinds of chips. “Eat up.” He grins and walks around the table, sitting opposite. Kerian pulls out the chair beside me for Ava and gives her a full plate. “Don’t worry. The dragons followed Heath on the sly.” I blink and look up from the food. “Nothing will happen to him.” He takes a big bite.

“The dragons went with him?”

“He doesn’t know that they did.” He points his sandwich at me. “They can shield their bodies.”

“He knew,” Kerian says dryly.

“You don’t know that,” River insists.

“Of course he knew.” Kerian plays with Ava’s fingers. “Heath is too powerful to be fooled.”

“Bet,” River demands, holding out his hand.

“How much?” Kerian asks, looking from River’s hand to his face.

“An extra night alone with Ava.” River wiggles his eyebrows.

“Agreed.” Kerian clasps his hand.

“Do I get a say?” Ava asks, and I take a bite as I watch her out of the corner of my eye.

“You get to decide what we do when I win,” River says gleefully.

“Ridiculous,” she whispers, but doesn’t protest. I shake my head and continue to eat.

“You won’t be saying that during our time,” River rasps. Okay. I can understand the appeal.

“Where’s Rylee?” I look in the living room.

“She took a walk in the woods,” Kerian says.

“She needed some time alone.” Ava looks out the window. I wish I could comfort her, but I feel unsure. She may not want to talk to anyone. I stare at the window, but I can only see my reflection. Ava seems to be able to penetrate the dark. What will I be like as a shifter? Will my sight be enhanced? I assume so, but everything is unknown. I can only imagine what it will feel like. How will I act? I can’t comprehend turning into an animal. How do you prepare? I’m grateful Ava shared her experience, so I don’t feel so scared.

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