Cael (Were Zoo Book 11) by R. Butler (best e reader for academics .txt) 📗

“Did you cook all this?” her mom asked as she sat at the small table.

“No, there’s a market for the workers that sells full meals to take home. You know I love a good beef stew.”

“Me too.”

Cael ladled stew into their bowls, and Novi served up wedges of cornbread and butter. The trio ate in silence for a little while. Novi thought it was the best stew she’d ever had in her life.

“Well, if this is the sort of food you have access to at the park, I’d say you picked a great place,” her mom said, putting her spoon in the empty bowl. “It’s delicious.”

They took a plate of cookies and drinks into the family room and talked about work and the park. An hour later, her mom was yawning and saying it was time to head home before it got too late.

She walked her mom to the door and gave her a hug. “I’m so glad you could come visit.”

“Me too. We can make it a weekly thing if you’d like, take turns having a meal here and at my place.”

Novi tried not to let her disappointment show. “Sounds good. Drive safe and text me when you’re home.”

“I’ll do that.”

Novi opened the door and let her mom out.

“I’ll walk you down,” Cael said, hurrying after her.

“Oh, I’ll come,” Novi said.

“Nah,” Cael said, giving her a wink. “I’ll be right back.”

He pulled the door shut so fast that Novi’s hair fluffed up around her shoulders with the breeze. She stared at the door for a long moment and then she smiled. Her mate wanted a few minutes alone with her mom.

She wondered what he was going to talk to her about.

Cael walked Lori down the steps and toward her car, which was parked in one of the lined spaces in front of the complex. “Thank you for dinner,” Lori said.

“It was my pleasure. You’re welcome anytime.”

Lori unlocked her door, dropped her bag on the seat, and then turned to look at him. “I think you want to talk to me about something?”

“Very much so.” Cael rocked back on his heels, his nerves kicking up. He cleared his throat and said, “I’d like to ask for your blessing. I want to ask Novi to marry me.”

Lori said nothing for a long moment, and Cael wondered if she would say no.

“I like you. I think you’re good for Novi, and it’s hard for me to trust anyone. I’ve spent her whole life trying to keep her safe, and that’s always meant just the two of us, not letting anyone else get too close. I’ve always been afraid that Keir would find us somehow, that he might be searching for our names online or using private investigators to dig us up. It’s been incredibly hard and stressful all these years.” She said nothing for a minute, then said, “But you make her happy. I can tell she feels free to be with you, feels safe. I’m so happy for her, for both of you. So yes, you have my permission.”

Cael’s elephant wanted to trumpet in triumph, but he managed to keep a lid on his exuberance. Grinning, he hugged Lori. “Thank you so much!”

Lori chuckled and patted his back. “Of course. Welcome to the family. Do you know when you’re going to ask?”

“Tomorrow night. I wanted it to be a week from the day we met.”

Lori’s eyes went luminous for a moment and then she cleared her throat. “You’ll keep her safe?”

“On my life. Once she’s finished working at the thrift store, she won’t have to travel back and forth to her job. The park is truly safe. I think it’s the safest place for you both.”

“I know you do. I’m just not ready for that kind of move. It feels too permanent.”

Cael frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Obviously, Novi is planning to live with you forever. You’ve got a job and friends here, she’s going to be working at the park too. That’s setting down roots. I’m...honestly afraid to do that.”

He nodded as understanding filled him. “You think if you settled down, you’ll be inviting him to come find you. And Novi.”

“Well, she has you and you’re clearly the sort of guy who can take care of her. But I’ve always felt safer being able to pick up and go at a moment’s notice.”

“Maybe you don’t have to run anymore. You’re family to me now, Lori. I want you to be safe and happy, and I think you could have that here.”

“We’ll see.”

She said goodnight and got into her car. He watched her back away and head toward the gate. In the distance, he could hear the gate creak as it opened and then closed. He sighed. She was stubborn and full of fear. He appreciated how difficult her life had been trying to keep Novi safe, but he was one hundred percent positive that they were safe in the park. Novi deserved to live a real life and to stay in one place with people who loved her and wanted good things for her.

And Lori deserved that too.

He hoped she’d get it, that she’d see the complex as a good and safe place to stay and start her life over. It was time for her to live her life too.

Chapter Fourteen

Keir sat on the couch that faced the front door in the tiny house that the human Lori called home. His males were scattered around the room, two standing at the front door. When he’d arrived an hour ago, they’d just missed her, apparently. Her car was gone, but a sweep of the house had told him she’d come