My Champion(34)

Around the table there were gasps. Meryn frowned and turned to Aiden. "When I thought Colton was killed, you said that shifters turn back to humans when they die."

Aiden nodded. "That's true for the most part. It's very rare to encounter a shifter that stays in animal form after death." He turned to the table. "Father and I are finding that the more endangered the species of animal the shifter is, the more likely it is that they remain as an animal upon death. With the skyrocketing number of endangered species now, more and more shifters are staying in an animal form when they die. It's making it very difficult to find people if they're killed while shifted."

Rex turned to Eva. "You have my deepest and sincerest apologies. I did not mean to bring up such horrible memories."

Eva shook her head. "No, it's okay; you didn't know. Besides we have happier news to discuss. Did I hear that someone else is pregnant?" she asked smoothing over the painful subject.

Meryn laughed. "Someone else is preggo? Sweet. Who else is joining the bloated, cranky, and crazy team?"

Adriel turned to Declan. "Rachelle," he informed him.

Declan smiled wide. "Get outta here! Are you serious? That's freaking awesome." Kari could see the wheels turning in her mate's head. Declan was now twice as glad he was hurt instead of either Rachelle or her wolf mate. Rex groaned and put his face in his hands at Declan's language.

Kari smiled. "Yes, darling, I can see politics is definitely not one of your fortes."

Meryn flashed Declan a thumbs up. "I've been trying to tell Aiden that sometimes you guys act too stuffy."

"Stuffy?" Magnus asked incredulously.

"Yes, stuffy," she said, pointing to his suit and tie. "Would it kill you to wear a pair of sweatpants?" she asked.

Magnus and Bethy's eyes widened, and they shuddered in unison. "Sweat. Pants?" Magnus asked, enunciating each word.

Bethy leaned over and looked down the table at Meryn. "You just stop that crazy talk. The Prince of Noctem Falls in sweatpants?"

Meryn looked confused. "Don't you have sweatpants? Doesn't everybody own sweatpants? They are the most comfortable things ever." Her clothes began to shimmer, and then right before her eyes, Kari watched as Meryn's normal t-shirt and jeans morphed to sweatpants and a hoodie.

Kari turned to Declan. "How did she do that? I thought she was human."

Declan chuckled. "She's also the person who inherited the Gown of Éire Danu."

"You are kidding me. That gown is famous. She was just wearing a t-shirt."

Bethy groaned. "Yes, t-shirts. There have been zombie t-shirts and Care Bear t-shirts. T-shirts, grungy sneakers, and jeans: That is what the Gown of Éire Danu has been reduced to."

Meryn shrugged, stretching the fabric of her hoodie out in front of her. "This is so comfy, Bethy. You should really try this. I mean especially when you start showing. Your belly won't fit in those fancy dress pants of yours."

Bethy gasped and looked behind her.

Sebastian was already moving "Do not worry. I will take measurements and make you a whole new wardrobe of fashionable maternity clothes. You will be comfortable and beautiful."

Bethy exhaled. "Thank the gods!" She looked at Meryn's hoodie and shuddered again.

Meryn looked Magnus dead in the face. "Stuffy."

Magnus chuckled. "Maybe we are a bit formal."

Adriel looked over at Kari. "Kari, how is your brother doing?" he asked conversationally.

She nodded and then looked at Meryn. "He has made friends here, and I cannot tell you what a gift that is. Even now he is having dinner with Nigel and Neil. He normally just spends his time by himself or reading. He has never been able to make any friends on his own, never mind a paranormal his own age. I was already so grateful to find my mate after coming here, but the second blessing is for Avery to have friends."

"Avery's good peeps," Meryn said. She tilted her head. "I can't adopt him as my brother like I did the others because he's yours, but I can tell he is definitely going to be good friend.

Aiden blinked. "Brothers?" he asked.

Meryn nodded. "Yep! So they are still my minions and Baby Keelans, but Ryuu helped me figure out that that means I care for them like brothers. So they are my brothers now."

Aiden, Adriel, and Magnus blinked. Adriel leaned forward to look at Meryn. "Wait, have you formally adopted them?" he asked.

Meryn frowned and looked up at Rex. "How can I make it official? Can you help?" she asked.

Rex nodded. "Of course."

Aiden scowled at him. "Don't help. She needs to stay out of trouble."

Rex leaned down and whispered to Meryn conspiratorially. "Come see me later, and I'll help you with the paperwork."