Page 8 of Lion Conquers All
But we are going to do everything we can right up to that line.
But he couldn’t say that.
No one could knowwhatthey were. What they could do. It was imperative and he knew it was. He’d learned enough about the world to understand the repercussion for going public as analien.
That’s what they would be called.
Or an animal.He wasn’t sure which would be worse.
Ever since Connie made the comment that the town was suspicious. Col had the Tribe locked down tight. No one shifted alone. And no one shifted unless the whole tribe knew about it.
Aarav didn’t blame Col. He was protecting the tribe the best way he could.
“I’ll be in touch, Mr. Roberts, Mrs. Roberts.” They didn’t respond. They were still looking around their son’s room in a daze.
He couldn’t imagine what the terror of losing a child felt like, but he could see it manifesting in their expressions and it cut into his chest like a knife to the heart.
Aarav left them standing in the center of their son’s room and quietly made his way back to his car outside. The first place he needed to go was the Tragher’s house. Helen’s boys knew everyone in town and usually knew what everyone was doing. Hell, most of the time, they were doing something on the Tragher property.
4
CONNIE
“We’re going to wrap up in a minute for a lunch break. Good job, everyone. Please finish that short quiz I handed out. Once you turn that in, it’s your ticket out for lunch.” Connie smiled encouragingly at the class. She was proud of the turnout of parents and teachers for the CPR/First Aid training.
The door at the back of the gym swung open again. But it wasn’t Penny or Katherine coming back to tell her something they forgot. No. This time it was Aarav. What the heck was he doing here?
Her skin tightened and her heart tried to free climb up her throat. It managed to lodge itself about halfway up, then goosebumps broke out on her arms like hives. Also, this strange fluttery feeling in the pit of her stomach. It wasn’t all bad, but it wasn’t something she welcomed either.
Why was he here?
“Mrs. Tragher, can I speak with you for a moment?” He walked to the last table she’d set up in the room and spoke only loud enough to call attention, but not loud enough to make anyone startle.
“Oh, dear Lord, what have those boys done now?” Helen’s frown could be heard in her tone along with humor. Her boys were notoriously at the center of most shenanigans in town.
A slow chuckle rolled up from Aarav’s chest.
The sound warmed Connie’s blood. Not a good thing. She didn’t want to be attracted to the beautiful braid-wearing blonde barbarian. Right now he looked like a hippie cop. He had his braids and loose hair pulled back into a man-bun. His chiseled face was a little rough with growth. The urge to touch him made her shove her hands into her back pockets.
Not happening.
Ever.
She ordered her body to stop. It mostly did. The fear of men in the end always over ran whatever attraction had cropped up from time to time through the years.
Her attraction to Aarav was much stronger than anything she’d ever experienced, but she’d had a long time to learn how to temper herself. Even the attraction to Aarav, as long as she kept her distance, it was manageable.
And distance was absolutely necessary. She’d seen how Reyleans acted when they got it under their skin that someone was their so-calledmatch. She still remembered that comment he’d made almost eight months ago out at Col’s. She also remembered the all-encompassing terror that had threatened to strangle her when she’d heard his claim.
Mine.
He’d called hermine.
Didn’t know her from Adam, but had no issue whatsoever staking a claim.
Not in this lifetime. She didn’t belong to anyone but herself. Never again would she make the mistake of allowing a male to control her life.
And if Aarav knew how damaged she was, he wouldn’t even be interested.
