The Paranormal Council: Complete Series

Chapter 13

ARI

Ari heard someone approaching from behind her, but didn’t react until her Dad sat down beside her. She’d hidden herself away in the treehouse the two of them had built when she was a little girl. Christine had been more interested in playing with dolls than playing outside, but looking back, Ari appreciated the time she’d spent alone with her Dad. It had enabled her and Christine to develop their own personalities, even if they were twins. Ari pulled her legs up and wrapped her arms around them, as the two of them sat in silence for a few moments.

“She just needs some time.”

“I doubt it.” She couldn’t help the moping tone in her voice.

“She’ll get used to it.” He put his arm around her and she leaned her head on his shoulder, appreciating the support he always gave. “I mean she’ll have to, considering he’s your mate and all.” He chuckled slightly, though Ari wasn’t too sure why.

“I never said that,” she countered quickly, trying to recall if she’d even hinted about Bjorn being her mate.

“You didn’t have to. I know how important your work is to you, and your seat on the Council. If this man wasn’t your mate, then we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” She didn’t know why she was surprised that her Dad knew her so well, he’d always been able to see through her.

“He had the rules changed for me,” she admitted quietly, a part of her was still in disbelief over how far Bjorn had gone for her.

“About mated Council members?” He shifted his head so that he was looking at her and she nodded, causing her Dad to smile. “Good, you deserve someone like that.” He kissed the top of her head.

“He’s a lot like you.” Her Dad chuckled.

“Ah, maybe not someone like that then.” But she could hear the smile in his voice. “You know, I think I like him already.”

“You would, Dad. It’s just Mum I’m worried about it.”

“Like I said sweetheart, only until she gets used to the idea,” he sounded resigned. “It’s just part of how she grew up. Her parents were very traditional, and she still has some of those views, even if they’re outdated.”

“I know.” And she did. She’d known enough of her grandparents to know that some of her Mum’s more traditional views weren’t really her fault. “And she’ll be fine with it until we have children. Then we’ll be having this conversation all over again when she discovers they’re not foxes.”

“Do you really think your Mum will love her grandchildren any less just because they’re not foxes? Trust me, Ari. She’ll love them no matter what they are, whether that’s a wolf, tiger or hawk.” He smiled reassuringly at her.

“Bears,” she whispered, “They’d be bears.” That wasn’t technically true. There’d only been a handful of mixed shifter matings that Ari knew about, and there didn’t seem to be any pattern in which parent the children took after when they shifted. But the idea of her children being bears just seemed right to her. She wondered whether it was the after-effects of the night before that had her thinking like that, or if it was some kind of premonition. She pushed the thought away; shifters didn’t have premonitions, it wasn’t part of their magic.

“See, now we’re getting somewhere.” He smiled bigger this time, his true personality showing through now that she was opening up to him. “So, does your bear shifter have a name?”

“Bjorn Hendricks.” His eyes widened in surprise.

“The Council member?” Ari bit her lip nervously. Not many people knew the Council’s true identities, and her Dad only knew through her, but she imagined that a lot of shifters might see it as a scandal when they learned of Ari and Bjorn’s relationship.

“He quit,” she added quickly.

“For you?” She nodded. “Good.”

“He’s a good man, Dad.”

“I don’t doubt that. I didn’t raise you to pick a bad one.” He pulled her closer to him again.

“I don’t think I really had a choice.” She sighed, thinking back to the moment she’d first met Bjorn. If she was honest with herself, it was the same moment that she’d known he’d change her life completely; even if she hadn’t wanted to admit that at the time.

“Well I’m looking forward to meeting him. Why don’t you arrange for the two of us to have a drink tomorrow night? Maybe if he meets me first, he won’t be as terrified of your Mum when he meets her.” He chuckled at his joke, and a small laugh escaped from Ari too, her dull spirits lifting slightly at the prospect. She had no doubt that after meeting Bjorn, her Dad would talk him up to the rest of her family and they’d see what an amazing man he was too.

“Okay, I think he’d like that.” Her Dad rose to his feet and offered her his hand. She took it and he pulled her to his feet beside him before enveloping her in a hug.

“Get home safe sweetheart, and don’t worry about it. I’ll talk to your Mum.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“And I look forward to meeting Bjorn tomorrow. Text me about it.” He let her go, and jumped deftly down from the treehouse, still surprisingly spry for an ageing shifter. Not that anyone would be able to tell he was old enough to have four grown children. Shifters aged slowly, so while he did look older than Ari, he could still pass for his early thirties. She stayed in the treehouse a few minutes longer, watching as her Dad disappeared back into the house.

Slowly, she made her way down the ladder and across to where she’d parked her car. It was only when she was sat in her seat and ready to turn the ignition, that she realised she’d asked Bjorn to wait for her at her flat. After that, it was only her increased senses and fast reflexes that allowed her to get home safely.