Cael (Were Zoo Book 11)

fully human? It was too incredible to consider. But then she thought about how she felt when she was around Cael. That rumbly part of her liked him. A lot. Maybe even loved him a little already.
Novi pushed her hair back from her face and said, “I just want to stay, Mom. I don’t want you to be afraid anymore. I don’t want to be afraid. I feel safe with Cael, and I think you’ll like him too. I know you will, because you love me, and you want me to be happy. Did you really think that we could live our entire lives without actually living? Aren’t you ready for more, for better than just existing and always watching over our shoulders?”
Her mom went silent again, and Novi wanted to let out a growl in frustration.
“He...um…” Her mom cleared her throat. “He purred. Or growled, I guess. When we were...together.” Her cheeks pinked and she averted her gaze. “I thought he was playing at being a tough guy, I even told him I thought he sounded like a cat. He got offended, but then he laughed and said he was just a growly guy by nature. When I told him I was pregnant, he was mad. He accused me of lying to try to trap him. His eyes changed color. They went from brown to pale blue—it was so startling that I never forgot it. When he tried to snatch you when you were two, his fingernails were black and sharp, and he had fangs in his mouth. I was terrified. I see that image in my dreams, of him trying to slash at you while my sister and I fought him back and kept you safe.” She touched her arm and lifted her sleeve, showing Novi a set of scars on the underside of her arm. “He grabbed me. I wrenched my arm away and got these. I told you they were from a childhood pet, but they were from your father.”
Novi stared mutely at her mom. She’d never told her so much about him.
Keir.
“But to answer your questions,” her mom continued, “yes, I’m tired. Tired of running, tired of being scared. But I’ll never stop wanting you to be safe. You think because we haven’t seen him that we’re safe, but I don’t know if we are. I’m afraid to lose you. He wanted you dead, Novi. He’s come after you more than once.”
“Mom, I feel safe with Cael.”
“Why? Because he’s good-looking?”
“I never said he was.”
Her mom rolled her eyes. “I’m sure he is.”
“Well, yeah, he is, but that’s not why. I feel connected to him in a way I can’t really explain. I miss him terribly and I want to see him again.” She rubbed the space over her heart. “Whatever my father is, whatever...other thing is within him, it’s in me too. And I think it’s why I want to be with Cael. He might be my forever guy.”
“Might be?”
“I don’t want to jinx it.”
Her mom snorted and then closed her eyes with a groan. “I need to know that if I feel we’re in danger, if I truly sense it, that you’ll trust me.”
“Of course I trust you.”
Her mom opened her eyes, leveling a serious look at Novi. “Maybe this man of yours will keep you safe; that’s what I’ve always wanted. I know you’ve been lonely all these years with just the two of us. You were bound to meet a man at some point, so I’m not surprised. I am surprised that you defied me, but I’m not mad. I’ll want to meet him, of course. If you’re going on a date, then you need to go about it the right way. I expect him to come to the door for you and to meet me.” She narrowed her gaze. “Does he know?”
“Yes.”
“Even your tendencies that are like your father’s?”
“Yeah.”
“I hope you’ve placed your trust in the right man, Novi, I truly do. I once trusted a man, and it put a target on my back. While I wouldn’t trade you for anything in the world, I do wish that we hadn’t been in danger all this time.”
“Maybe my father’s moved on,” Novi said, sounding more hopeful than she actually felt.
“I guess we’ll see.”
Novi smiled and stood, then hugged her mom. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Just be careful.”
“I will, I promise.”
Novi left for work, her steps feeling lighter than they had in years. She had a date and her mom’s blessing, and she’d learned a lot more about her father. While things were still a mystery, she thought she could tell Cael and he’d understand. Maybe there was even something more to him than met the eye too. She certainly thought there might be, otherwise why would she feel so connected to him after such a short time?
Novi fiddled with her hair, growling in frustration as the braid she was attempting to use as a headband refused to cooperate. Finally, she twisted the offending locks away from her face and clipped them, fingering out the soft curls she’d placed at the bottom of her long hair.
She’d been on dates before, but she never dated a guy more than a few times because of her mom’s insistence that she not get too close to anyone when they might have to leave suddenly. This date with Cael felt so different, though.
Monumental.
She heard a car door shut outside, and her heart clenched. Cael!
Giving herself a once-over, she left the bathroom and quickly walked into the family room. Her mom looked up at her and said, “You look very lovely.”
“Thanks.”