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*****

GAR

Leaving Rika alone was the last thing he wanted to do, but a short time later he fled the Tree House as if his pants were on fire, practically running across the grass to his parent's tree, praying his mother was home.

He barely knocked, shoving the door open and calling,

"Mom!

" as he stepped inside.

His parents were in a clinch in the kitchen, and his father growled as Gar bowled in to interrupt, but his mother whirled, her cheeks pink and eyes sparkling.

"Gar! What's going on?!

"

Gar slid to a halt and took a second to get his bearings. He didn't know why he'd thought his father would be out, that he'd be able to talk to his mother first, alone. And he didn't know why he was feeling more of this blasted uneasiness that made him awkward and shaky.

What was happening to him?

"I have to, um… I have to tell you something.

"

Both his parents brows popped up and they started towards him.

"What is it, Son?

" his father rumbled.

Gar swallowed. A part of him was eager to tell his father, to hear his thoughts—knowing he would have them. That he'd understand the incredible soar—and terrifying plummet—of being bonded to a human. But how to start? And with his dad. Things had been better lately, but they were still… uncertain.

Gar scratched the back of his neck, searching for the words and his mother rushed forward.

"What is it, Gar? What's wrong? Is it El? Or the disformed—is there a problem with the Rite?

"

"No, no. None of that. I mean, not really. Not yet, anyway.

"

His mother reached him and looked like she was going to hug him. But Gar was feeling strangely fragile and folded his arms. She stopped and tilted her head, her face somewhere between concerned and curious.

"Mom, what was it like for you at the beginning when you got here? When did you realize the bond was real? The matebond, with dad, I mean,

" he blurted. His mother blinked, confused. But his father stopped walking.

"It was, uh, very overwhelming at first,

" she said uncertainly, glancing over her shoulder at his father.

"And I didn't recognize the bond until we slept together.

"

Gar winced. He'd been afraid of that. He knew his parents had told this story many times, but he'd never really cared before to pay close attention. He'd hoped he'd been remembering wrong.

"Why are you asking?

" she asked quietly.

"Is there something… going on?

"

Gar clawed a hand through his hair, keeping his eyes away from his father's that he could feel, fixed on his face and measuring him the way he had as King when someone brought him news he wasn't sure he wanted to hear.

"I, um… I went to find the humans last night,

" he said carefully, still avoiding his father's eyes.

"I was trying to get the female out, but one of the others interfered and we drew attention… There was a… a fight. She's here now,

" he ended lamely.

His mother's forehead lined, then went clear. She gasped.

"Gar, are you saying—

"

"She's my mate,

" he said quickly.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I wasn't sure at first, and then when I was… I didn't know how to bring it up. But the healers confirmed the bond and—

" he grunted as his mother hit his chest, throwing her arms around his waist.

"Gar! I'm so happy for you!

"

"Wait, what?

" his father growled.

"He's found his mate, Reth! Gar's found his mate!

"

"And she's…. human?

"

Gar looked up from his mother's embrace, meeting his father's eyes warily. He nodded.

"Just like Mom,

" he said.

"She's even the same size.

"

His mother snorted.

"Does she recognize it?

" his father asked quietly.

"The matebond?

"

Gar shook his head.

"That's why I wasn't sure. She's… I mean, she likes me. But she's not sure yet. I thought maybe I was fooling myself. But I couldn't get her out of my thoughts. And I kept turning around, looking for her. It was making me irritable being away from her and… when I went looking for her, I just knew where to look. It was… weird.

"

His mother sniffed and he looked down to find her beaming, and misty-eyed, clasping her hands together at her mouth.

"I'm so happy for you, Gar!

"

"Don't be yet. She's still… very standoffish.

"

"Don't worry, Son, it's only a matter of time,

" his father said, coming to stand behind his mother and clasp Gar's shoulder.

"I don't know, Dad. She's… she doesn't trust it. She can't sense the bond, she's human. And she's been hurt. Even when I told her… even when she sees how much I want to protect her, she's still scared. She's not feeling like I am and with everything going on… I'm just afraid she'll never give over to it. Like, even if she stays here she might just not connect with me. And that would be torture.

"

His father's lips twisted up on one side and he clapped Gar's arm while his mother hugged his waist again.

"I'm confident for you, Gar. Just give it time. If the Creator made you for each other, it's inevitable. You'll just have to wait until she gets comfortable, that's all. It's a huge step being here after the human world.

"

Gar frowned and clawed a hand through his hair again.

"But we might not get time. That's what worries me. She's here because it's all happening. The humans are here and there's two portals and I have to be Alpha for the disformed and… there's just too many things. No time.

"

The strangest look came over his father's face then. Gar frowned, the question in his eyes because he knew his mother had her back to him and he didn't want to worry her.

But his father, never dropping his gaze, spoke softly.

"Elia, can you leave me to talk with Gar alone?

" he asked gently.

"Yes! Yes, you two catch up. Where is she, Gar? I want to meet her!

"

"She's over at my tree,

" Gar said.

"Well, I'll go introduce myself while you two talk. Maybe I can help her find some clothes and stuff. You guys take whatever time you need.

"

Gar blinked. Time. Right.

"Oh, so, I was sent to tell you there's a meeting after lunch. Two hours from now. We have to meet at the security building. And it will probably be a long day.

"

"No problem.

"

"And Mom,

" he said as his mother trotted towards the door.

"Rika can be a little…. Tough. Just roll with it, okay?

"

His mother turned with a glance at his father, then winked at Gar.

"Have I ever done anything else?

"

Gar snorted. His father outright guffawed.

His mother did not look impressed, but she hurried out the door, closing it behind her, leaving Gar with his dad.