Page 53 of Those That Defy the Realm

Stopping on the track we’ve taken out of the suburbs, I turn to face him. “Yes. I think she’ll catch on eventually. I can tell she likes the both of us, maybe you more than me currently but I’ll win her over.”

Henry eyes me suspiciously. “And you really think this is going to work? Wearing her down?”

“Tends to.” I shrug.

“Ash, as I told you the other night, Claire’s had her heart broken before. I don’t want to be responsible for adding to that.”

“And I’m telling you that I won’t do that. Human or not, if what we have is as special as I feel it is I’ll stay by her side for her entire life. Would you not do the same?”

He contemplates that for the longest minute. “Really? Would that not cause us all more pain in the long run?”

“So what? We don’t know what is around the corner.” I hold my hands out as if asking the gods to strike me down. “Gods, weren’t us two in a fight a couple months ago where either of us could have died? Human and supernatural relationships are rarer, granted, and yes we’d have to deal with losing her eventually, assuming this thing with the authorities doesn’t blow up in our faces and we both end up being put to death in one of those facilities.

“But I want to risk it. I want the chance of happiness. I think you both could do that for me.”

Henry steps into my space, gripping my wrists and bringing my hands to his chest. “I do want that. I’ve not been able to stop thinking about either of you since I met you both. But if she doesn’t want this, we have to respect it.”

“If she gives it a chance and then says no, I’ll back off. But I’m not letting her not give it a shot. That’s the best I can give you.”

“Fine. I just want to protect her, that’s all.” His eyes shine with such fierceness, I fall a little harder. I love that he’s so conscious of everyone else’s feelings.

“I know,” I say as I do a quick glance around to check we’re alone. The track is empty so I move my hands to cup his face. “You are a protector, Henry. I really like that about you. And I am fully aware that this wouldn’t be the easiest relationship to navigate. But why should those reasons stop us?”

“You’re right,” he concedes. “I guess she’s not the only one scared that this is going to blow up in our faces.”

“But you’re in?”

His eyes soften as he stares down at me. “You know I’m already in.”

“Good.” I give his lips a quick peck, before I step back and resume walking, shaking off our mini disagreement. Looking back over my shoulder, I see Henry shaking his head before he follows me. He’s smiling though so I know he isn’t angry with me, and is now hopefully reassured that I am taking his and Claire’s feelings seriously. “Now just to convince our girl.”

“By steamrolling?”

“Yes, our first date is tomorrow. Be ready.” I smirk at him and give him a wink.

He chuckles as his cheeks pinken. I love how he, albeit hesitantly, had a quickie in some fairly public restrooms with me earlier, but it’s a slightly flirty gesture that has him blushing.

“I can’t wait,” Henry deadpans, making me laugh.

CHAPTER 19

HENRY

Ihave to give him credit, his plan seems to be working.

The last month has been some of the most fun that I can remember. It’s been stressful, hard, and trying—working with Agent Morris’s team has been a challenge—but with Claire and Ash around it’s been easy to unwind after each day, or relax on the rare days off I’ve had.

Granted, copious amounts of sex is bound to keep anyone mellowed out but it’s more than that. We’ve managed to meet up more than I thought we could. With the pack so busy with the redevelopment work on the house, the authorities calling meetings sometimes at short notice and Ash and his wolves being open about wanting to explore the island, it means we’ve been able to slip under the radar and not have anyone add up how much time we’re all spending together.

Last weekend, for instance, we managed an entire day to go for a hike out west. It was beautifully sunny, we picked a remote track and it felt like we had the entire mountainside to ourselves. Ash even shifted for some of it, letting his wolf run free.

They’ve been turning on the ranch property of course, as that does come with extensive land. But usually there are others around. It was the first time Claire had truly been able to interact with Ash in his wolf form and it melted my heart to see.

Claire has also been growing more open with both of us. She still hasn’t revealed the secret we both feel she’s keeping, but day by day, I can see her letting us have her trust. It took me a while to figure it out but she never initially offered up suggestions for our dates. She didn’t offer opinions on the places Ash chose, and she almost seemed relieved rather than flattered any time either of us complimented her or praised her.

Of course, I’ve speculated over what she’s hiding, but I haven’t pried. If I had to guess I would say it’s all the fault of her ex, her self-doubt, her insecurities and lack of willingness to trust. She comes across as confident but really when you truly look, she second guesses everything. I’ve not been around her with her family much but from what she’s told me of them they sound like a supportive bunch, but it could be one of them getting inside her head.

No, my money would be on her ex. From the little she’s revealed I’m willing to say he did more damage to her self-esteem than she lets on.