Midnight Whispers - Paranormal Romance

  “It’s alright, Jake,” Kyra assured him. “I know that you were just trying to do what you saw as the right thing.”

  He nodded. “It’s been… interesting, living here these past few days, and getting to know these people. I’m ashamed I ever thought the way that I have. I was wrong about them.” He lowered his eyes.

  Kyra patted him on the arm. “When I first found my way here I was quite misled in my feelings about them as well. I was certain they would see me as nothing more than a quick meal.” She tossed a grin at Bryce, who gave her an arch stare.

  “I generally prefer deer to human meat.”

  Jake laughed, his warmth shining through. “So… this is the man you’ve chosen, is it? And you both are happy?”

  Bryce gently placed a possessive arm around Kyra’s shoulder, who quickly nodded. “We are. And I’m even happier that I can still keep your friendship, Jake.”

  They talked for a bit about how the negotiations were going; how several of the other elders had been blindfolded and taken to the village to help Jake hash out terms—though unlike him, they were returned at the end of every day. He said that after tomorrow he would be allowed to return to the farm.

  “Oh, and before I forget, Dr. Mason sent word to me that your aunt has made a full recovery,” he told her with a broad smile. “She is wondering when the two of you will come to visit.”

  Kyra stood for a moment in shock. “Is… is that really true?”

  “It is.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful!” She tossed her arms around Jake for a quick hug, and then spun around to face Bryce. “Can we visit her, please? I was so worried about her, Bryce. I was afraid she wasn’t going to make it.”

  He smiled down at her tenderly. “Of course we can. We will go see her tomorrow.”

  They said their goodbyes to Jake, and Bryce ushered Kyra back home, even though she wasn’t at all tired. She didn’t have the heart to be angry with him for being so over-protective—she was still filled with the afterglow of the mating, and her spirits were further lifted after her conversation with Jake.

  “You seem much more relaxed,” Bryce commented once they were inside.

  Kyra nodded. “I feel like a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders. At the beginning of all this I was worrying so much about what I was going to have to give up no matter what choice I made. But now, at the end, I’m able to keep my family, my friends, and my mate. What more could I ask for?”

  Bryce smiled and pulled Kyra close. “It has turned out much better than I ever expected as well.”

  Kyra sighed happily. “Miracles usually do.”