Page 27 of Pandemonium

“Two bear mates, even,” her mom said. “I’m sorry, honey, we just wanted to make sure that you knew what you were doing. It won’t be easy to have two mates. You’ll be facing scrutiny from pride members because it’s so unusual.”

“I don’t care about that.”

“You might, once you have kids and they have to go to school,” her dad said.

“I’m not going to give up my mates because it might make some people uncomfortable. I want you to accept Rafe and Rhaider, but if you won’t, then tell me now.”

“We don’t want you to give them up,” her dad said. “We just wanted to make sure you’d thought it through. This is a tough road you’re going on.”

“Maybe, but now that I have them in my life, I can’t imagine being without either of them. It might be strange, but I’ve got two heart-matches and I’m going to keep them.”

There was another pause, and then her mom said, “Okay. We support you, Demi. You know we love you and we want you to be happy. If you’re happy with Rafe and Rhaider, then we’re happy for you all.”

“How about we video call?” her dad said.

“I’d like that. I’ll call you right back.”

She ended the call and blew out a breath. “Holy crap.”

“Are you okay?” Rafe asked.

“Yeah. You heard all that, right?”

“Yep. At least they said they accept us,” Rhaider said.

“Yeah. At first I thought they were going to disown me. They were really caught off guard,” she said.

“It’s clear they love you and want you to be happy,” Rafe said. “Like our mom said, she had a hard time accepting it at first and it was just kind of an abstract thought. Like wemightfind a female to share in the future at some point. She had time to get used to the idea. Your parents had minutes. It’s understandable they would need some time.”

“I’m good so long as they’re not trying to talk me out of being with you.”

“Agreed,” Rhaider said.

Demi video called her parents. Rafe smiled at the couple on the screen. They introduced themselves as Tabitha and Quentin. Demi introduced him and his brother. They shared how they met and their plans for the future, mainly to live with Demi until they could find a larger home in town.

“If you’re looking for teaching gigs, the school is hiring,” Quentin said.

“It is?” Demi asked. “I didn’t know that. How do you know?”

“Principal Minor and I were talking last night at the diner when I went to pick up dinner. He asked if Mom or I were interested in teaching, they’re trying to expand the classes for the junior high and high school to include what I’d call the old-school types of classes like home-ec, shop, art, and music. If you two play instruments, maybe you could teach.”

“Wow, that’s pretty neat,” Demi said.

“But,” Quentin said, “keep in mind that there are people in the pride who might balk at a mated trio teaching in the school.”

“Do you think they wouldn’t let them teach because we’re together?”

“I don’t know,” Quentin said. “It’s a new thing. People might need time to get used to it. And parents might be uncomfortable too.”

“Well, you can ask Principal Minor,” Tabitha said. “He might not have a problem with it, but you won’t know until you ask.”

“We’ll talk about it later,” Demi said. “Maybe set up an appointment to chat with Principal Minor.”

“When you’re ready to move, I’ve got a pickup truck to help,” Quentin said.

Demi smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Thanks, Dad.”

“You bet.”

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