Page 109 of Simon

I hummed and ate more. “As much as I enjoyed eating raw fruits and veggies, I was craving protein. This is great.”

Simon pulled up a chair and spread his legs so he was surrounding me. I pulled apart the tender meat and placed some into his mouth. He closed his mouth around my fingers, sucking off the juices, then chewed.

And now I’m gonna get all wet.

“Yes, I was feeling weak. Being a goat, I could eat anything. While in this body, I crave more meat and fish. Does that have protein?” He pointed to the meat.

I nodded. “Yes, fish, beans and nuts have protein, too. It’s important for the body. Especially with all these muscles you have.” I reached out and gave his arms a squeeze. He flexed automatically, and I giggled.

Simon cleared his throat. “What is with the bag, Lucy? Where do you want to go? Are you not happy here? Is our home not good enough?” Simon’s voice went higher and higher as he kept speaking.

I shook my head, put the tray on my lap, and grabbed his hands. “Simon, stop! What’s wrong?”

Simon took a deep breath and sighed. “Just want you happy.”

I chuckled. “Simon, I’m super happy.” I twirled a piece of his hair away from his face. “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. In fact, I want to make you happy for once. You are always doing nice things for me. I want to do something nice for you.”

Simon tilted his head in confusion. “You are my mate. You are my nice thing.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to stop from smiling, but the blush on my face was too red to not give away how utterly adored I felt.

“Simon, I think it’s time we go meet the person who made all this possible.”

Simon raised an eyebrow, and his ears twirled.

“I think it’s time to go see Calliope.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Simon

IhadLucy,that’sallI needed right now.

I didn’t want to complicate my life any more than it already was.

Calliope had always stayed in the back of my mind through all of this. My mate was the most important. Now that I had her, I wanted to spend all my time with her and the future we would build.

Calliope would be fine without me. She would forget the time we spent and fill it with her mate.

With enough time, their bond would strengthen, and her memories of me would fade. Besides, I knew when I wasn’t wanted, especially after my transformation. Valpar made that clear. I was a competition for her time.

I understood that now. I didn’t want a male around my female, either. Lucy didn’t find Thorn attractive, or Sugha. She stayed with me in the tent even when I was asleep and took advantage of me when I could not move.

I nodded to myself. Yes, she found me far more attractive than those orcs.

When I changed, I was uncomfortable around Calliope. I wasn’t the same, not the same companion as I once was. I had thoughts and insecurities that grew by the day. I understood they needed their time.

What about my mate? What would she feel if Calliope wanted to hug me? Calliope was a hugger.

I felt nothing but friendship with Calliope, but my mate may not see it that way, or would she?

Maybe Calliope might hit me. I left her for many moons and did not show her I was well. She may think of me as dead.

However, Lucy would not budge despite much insistence that we should stay. She was determined to go and before I knew it, we were already on our way, trudging through the Wood, feeling like I was off to my death.

“Simon, why are you so glum?” Lucy ran and jumped on my back. Lucy had been running circles around me. Her energy was plentiful, and her feet were hard yet soft to the touch. She didn’t wince at the branches or roots beneath her feet. Instead, her movements were graceful, like a true faun dancing within trees.

“I am not sad, I worry. What if Calliope is angry with me?”

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