Page 56 of Deck the Skulls
Anatoly was proud of his human for wanting to help others, but he hated the area the office was located in. Zan’s description of the place made Anatoly clench his teeth with worry.
“I have a thought about that,” Zan said.
He could feel excitement coming from the shifter and looked over at him with raised eyebrows. Zan grinned as his eyes bounced between them.
“We still haven’t rented out the storefront next door,” he pointed out.
“I thought we were going to expand Sanguine into that area,” Anatoly pointed out, confused.
“Or we could rent it out to Rissa’s legal aid service for a very reasonable price,” Zan said. “The other place was so crowded, there was barely room to walk, so they could use a second location. Rissa would simply walk next door any time she wanted to volunteer.”
Rissa’s stunned expression meant that Anatoly couldn’t tell if she thought Zan’s suggestion was good or bad. Perhaps his offer wasn’t enough?
“The space next door is small. I could buy an entire building for them somewhere else,” Anatoly offered. “They could have all the room they need in one place.”
“Do you really mean all that?” she asked, her voice unsteady. “You’d buy an entire building for a nonprofit just to make me happy?”
“I’d do so much more,” Anatoly assured her. “I can always make more money, but there will only ever be one of you. If you let us, Zan and I will worship you for the rest of our lives together.”
Zan reached out to take her hand. “Don’t be overwhelmed. We can give you as much or little as you want. We can be together without exchanging souls. We can wait until you’re completely confident in us. I know you’re scared to trust us because you’ve been let down so much, but give us a chance to prove ourselves. Tell us your other demands.”
Her expression went blank. “I don’t think I have any more. I know what I want.”
Those quiet words were accompanied by her lack of expression. She was too calm, and it terrified Anatoly.
Pulling her hand out of Zan’s grip, she scooted off Anatoly’s lap. He let his arms go limp at his sides and tried to hold back his urge to demand she return.
She moved until she was facing him and Zan with her legs tucked under her. They were all naked, and Anatoly took a moment to take in her beautiful, perfect figure before she said no.
“I’m a mess,” she began. Anatoly opened his mouth to object, but she held up a hand to stop him. “Let me get this out.”
He nodded, and she took a steadying breath before continuing. She wasn’t saying no, and she was still talking to them, so it had to be a good sign.
“I’m a mess. I had a fucked-up childhood and the few times I went to see state mandated therapists as a kid, they wanted to talk about why I wasn’t being more cooperative. It was bullshit. The foster homes I was put in were uncaring at best and fuckingdisasters at worst. The group homes were at least honest about what they were, holding pens for bad kids. I was beaten up until I learned to defend myself, and I learned that lesson fast. I also learned not to trust.”
“Zan told me about all of that,” Anatoly murmured. “I don’t think any less of you. If anything, I admire your strength.”
She gave him a sad smile. “Thanks, but I didn’t tell you all that so you could say I was strong or resilient. I’m telling you that so you know that I’m flawed. I learned that being angry was easier than being a victim, so I have a temper that can turn violent when I’m provoked. I’m not some demure girlfriend who’ll fade into the background. I’m big, loud, and I’ve never backed down from a fight. I can’t change that about myself.”
“You talk like those are flaws, but they’re not,” Zan said. “We shifters value partners who stand next to us during times of trouble. That’s the whole point of a wolf pack; the stronger members protect the weaker members.”
“The void magic wouldn’t pick a frail mate for Zan or a fearful woman for my flock,” Anatoly added. “The magic knew we needed someone strong, but kind. Someone who could handle the violence of our world but still treat strangers with an open mind. That’s you.”
For the first time, Rissa smiled at them. It was small, but there.
“I’ve never had anyone say they liked my temper,” she whispered.
“You’ve never dated one of us,” Zan countered. “You might be human, but you were with the wrong people. You needed us, Rissa. You fit into our world more than the human one. You belong here.”
“If you ever feel as if you need to speak to humans who are flock members, I could ask Tobias if you could talk to Briar. Or you could talk to Cora once she forgives you for hitting Pike.”
Rissa’s smile got wider even as her eyes looked glassy with unshed tears. “I met Briar. I think we could be friends. She said there’s a book club I might like to join.”
As much as he hated the idea of her joining that notorious book club, Anatoly nodded. “That’s good. Cora is a member too. All of you could talk and that might help you decide to share souls.”
“I’ve already decided,” she said, reaching out to take one of Zan’s hands in her left and his hand in her right. Her fingers felt cold, and he had to push away the urge to cover her in a blanket.
“What have you decided?” Zan asked, his eyes glowing with shifter power as his inner cat pressed to be released. Anatoly could feel the beast’s fear that Rissa was about to reject them, and the cat wanted out to bar the door and keep her from leaving.