Returning to his place beside her, Ian pivoted so they more or less faced each other. “Do you remember Willona Seymour?”
“Vaguely. I know she was Osric’s mate and… Didn’t they have twin daughters?”
“It was a little more complicated than that, but yes. Carissa and Ava. Your brother’s mate is Ava.”
When he didn’t provide any more information, Devon smiled. “Okay, now I know her name. How did they meet? What’s she like? What’s her story?”
He took a leisurely sip before he replied, “How much has your mother told you about the Omni Prime?”
His reluctance only made the subject more interesting. Were the two connected, or was his question a distraction? “The Omni Prime is a fable. The Therian version of a superhero.”
“Maggie died before you were born, but I knew her. Your mother’s stories aren’t exaggerations.”
According to the stories, Maggie was the last known Omni Prime, a Therian female with multiple animal natures. “You mean Maggie had three mates and could shift into the animals of all three at will? Seriously?”
“Maggie mated with the three men who defined her so people tend to get confused. Forming a mating bond and defining a female’s animal nature are two completely different things.”
“I know that. But definition is intimate and stirs strong emotions. Females often prefer to share the experience with their lover—or lovers in Maggie’s case.” She added the last with a hesitant smile, hoping to lighten his mood.
He shook his head, oblivious to her efforts. “That’s a very recent development. In decades past the father or guardian decided who defined the females under his authority.”
“Which doesn’t make it right. Definition is a personal and permanent choice for every Therian female. It should be her choice and her choice alone.” Her heart beat faster and a huge knot formed in her stomach. Ian likely didn’t realize he’d stumbled onto the subject which had inadvertently led to her captivity.
He reached out and touched her hand, drawing her gaze to his. “I wasn’t endorsing the practice. I support the rebels, just like you.”
She absorbed the warmth of his fingers as she nodded. He was on her side. He’d risked a longtime friendship with her mother and the wrath of her clan to provide her with peace and security. She sighed and let the tension melt from her shoulders.
“What does all this have to do with Kyle’s mate?” Pulling her hand out from under his, she raised her mug to her lips.
“Ava and Carissa are Maggie’s granddaughters. They’re the last known females who still carry the blood of the Omni Prime.”
She felt her eyes round. “My brother is mated to an Omni Prime?”
“More like a potential Omni Prime. Ava hasn’t been defined yet, but she’s given Kyle every indication that she will attempt the transformation in the near future. Carissa participated in the ceremony and the results were very encouraging. She has already been able to shift into several different forms.”
“Unbelievable.” Devon had been raised on stories of the Omni Prime. She knew the legend was part of her heritage and her mother was obsessed with the tales, but Devon had always thought they were just stories. She felt as if Ian was trying to convince her that the tooth fairy was real.
“They’re both warm and engaging. You’ll like them.” Ian pushed back to his feet. “Let me check the water.”
She watched him walk across the room and heat rolled from her chest to her abdomen. He made her feel safe and nothing was more attractive to her right now than security. But he’d always seen her as a child, a sort of sister, worthy of his protection but certainly not his love.
Love? With a frustrated sigh, she set her mug aside and rubbed her eyes. She didn’t want a lover right now, so Ian’s attitude was irrelevant. After all the things she’d been compelled to do during her captivity, sex was the furthest thing from her mind.
“You’re good to go.” Ian paused in the doorway, his expression intense yet unreadable. “I laid out a towel, but let me see if I can find you something else to wear.”
She stood, allowing the quilt to pool around her ankles. She hadn’t thought about all the complications of an uninvited guest. All she’d known was she had to get away, had to pull herself together before she could hope to convince her family she was okay.
He dug a black t-shirt out of the closet and handed it to her. “This should do for tonight. It’s loose on me, so it should be more like a dress on you.”
“Thanks.” She took the shirt and started for the bathroom then paused. “Should we let my family know where I am? I’m not ready to deal with them yet, but I don’t want them to worry.”