Discovered (The Shalean Moon) Read Online Free Page B

sheathed.
    “He’s right, I’m an unknown; but, I am trustworthy, Rach. I know this, and Leira knows this; and soon you’ll know too, and so will your dad. We’ll wait with you and I’ll introduce myself.” He didn’t need to use his senses to see she was pleased about that, or that her dad wouldn’t be.
    It would be a problem if her dad didn’t like him. He’d been calling to the Gods for a connection like this for ages, and there was no way he was going to lose it now.
    Andy and Alison wandered past hand in hand.
    “Rugby practice cancelled,” Andy offered by way of an explanation. “We’re going for, er, coffee.” Alison blushed and dug him in the ribs. Andy grunted. “Hey! No need for that.”
    ‘Another asshole; it’s stupid to pretend he’s something he isn’t. We know he doesn’t even like girls in that way; why not just come out and be open about it? It’s not like any of us are bothered about him being gay.’
    ‘Leira!’ Trust his sister. ‘How do you know that?’
    He saw her shrug mentally.
    ‘Ali told me; they’re really just friends, Andy’s gay, but scared to admit it. Actually, now I come to think of it, maybe he’s not being an asshole, but being sensible. Heck Bri, none of us—you know, his friends—care; but gay, Shalean, and plays rugby? Think what someone like that snake Struan would make of it; he’d have a field day—let alone some of those old council members. Hell, I bet some of them still think gay only means happy.’
    She had a point there; something else for him to think about.
    Ten minutes later, he was in his neat, but old, Polo and following the top of the range Mercedes driven by Rach’s dad. Brios had introduced himself and Leira, and reiterated the fact that they lived close by, essentially offering themselves up for inspection. Mr. Connor had been very non-committal, though his eyes had tightened when Brios had mentioned their surname; and then he’d said tersely, “Thank you for staying with my daughter.” Brios thought his voice conveyed anything but thanks. He’d almost looked into him, but stopped himself at the last minute. This friendship was going to be too important to jeopardize by checking up on her dad’s thoughts. For now at least, he amended.
    If he thought Mr. Connor might put obstacles in the way of his and Rach’s friendship he’d look, and if necessary try to give him a wee push in the right direction. Nothing major, just try to open his mind to the thought of him and Rach together. However, for now he’d conduct himself as an adult. As, he told himself humorously, befitted a future Patriarch.
    He felt the telltale itch that told him he needed to stretch, to run, be his other self. “What date is it?” he asked as they drew up in the drive of their old, traditional Scottish Laird’s house on the edge of the village. He could see their mum working at her loom in the converted coach house. She waved, and as he waved back he made a mental note to talk to her later.
    “Three before Shalean,” was his sister’s sympathetic response. “Want to run later?”
    He nodded. “I need to. Will you come?” It wasn’t really a necessary question because Leira always covered his back; as he did hers. Soon, he would hand that role over to Donny. He dreaded to think what sort of dance she’d lead his friend on once she was sixteen and Donny made his intentions known to her; but, he looked forward to seeing the fur fly—literally he suspected—before his best friend and his sister sorted out their alpha and beta roles. Now, however, he had his own problems to sort out.
    He needed to figure out how to be a real friend to Rach—knowing what he knew and she didn’t. What made it worse was that he suspected her Dad knew more than he was letting on.
    ***
    “So, how was your day?”
    “Sheesh Dad, you sound so American, ‘How was your day?’” Rach parroted. “ My day was fine. You know I met some cool friends, and one of them has a fit