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Ever.”

Kender’s Blog (5)
     
    “Shhh!” I hate to interrupt Aurora, especially since her comment leaves the door wide open for hot, casual sex with no commitment. But the sound of someone outside -- way out here -- means either an intruder on the property, or my family is about to barge in on us.
    A loud knock precedes the door flinging open to reveal my brother and sister. “Kender! We saw the lights on, and decided to st… Oh shit -- you have company.” Brianna looks confused. She sniffs the air, then looks at me accusingly. “A human, and a… phoenix?”
    “What’s going on, Kender?” Sean is my easygoing little brother, but even he pulls back at the sight of my companions. His eyes narrow as he stares at Aurora, sexual interest lighting his face.
    “Meet Varick Gerard and our mate, Aurora Monroe. Varick, Aurora, this is my brother Sean and my sister, Brianna.”
    “ Mate ? Did I hear you right?” Brianna’s voice shrills through the air. She was always the vocal one. “But she’s… human !”
    “You’re joking, right, Kender? You can’t mate a human.” Still, he steps forward -- toward my mate. Shit.
    “Excuse me, will you?” I herd them outside into the clearing, shutting the door firmly behind me. “What are you two doing here?”
    “What are you doing here, Kender? You know Mom and Dad would blow a gasket if they knew what you were up to, and that you’ve come back without a word. Where the hell have you been? Nobody even knew if you were dead or alive.” Brianna’s blond hair blows in the wind, her face red with temper.
    “It’s a long story, Bri. I didn’t mean to lose touch. Our troop just moved around so much that… okay, it’s no excuse. It was just easier.”
    “So why now, Kender?” Sean’s calm control is such a contrast against our sister’s anger. “What’s changed? And what’s with the… others?” He looks toward the cabin again. “And with the unclaimed woman?”
    “I quit the military. Or rather, deserted. They didn’t know I was a shifter, and when I had to shift to save Aurora -- there just wasn’t any choice. She’s my mate.”
    “They didn’t know? Kender, I thought -- we all thought -- you were in one of those special paranormal units. How could you deny your birthright? Us?” Brianna’s eyes blaze with indignation, her voice rising.
    “It’s not how you think it is in the military, Bri. Not like it used to be. There are no more paranormal units. And now that they know about me, well, let’s just say keep an eye out for strangers. Most people don’t know I have a cabin here, but some of my troop know where I came from.”
    “You’re wanted ?” Sean’s voice isn’t calm any longer. “You son-of-a-bitch! You lied to both the military and your family -- for years -- and then when you’re finally found out, you lead them straight to us? You threaten our lives, our safety, for a human woman?” Sean shifts, flying into the night.
    “Kender, I love you. But you seriously need to figure out your priorities in life. We’ll tell Mom and Dad you’re back, but you need to straighten out your own mess.” Brianna changes in a wink to follow Sean back home.
    Great. Now not only do I have to deal with a new mate, a phoenix and the military, I have to deal with my family’s disappointment, as well. I should have known better. It just seemed easier not to say anything at first. Then when the lies became so big that I was too ashamed to tell my family, I just stayed away.
    And the military -- it wasn’t so much that I lied about being human -- it was the fact that being a paranormal meant not just a dishonorable discharge, but death. They don’t take betrayal lightly, and playing for the other team is a big no-no.
    “You okay, man?”
    Varick’s hand on my shoulder should have shocked me, but it doesn’t. I feel more at ease with him than with the guys I’ve fought with for years, strangely enough. Maybe it has to do with the whole mate thing.