Page 9 of Breaking the Surface
“It’s not,” Peter confirmed.“I’m used to keeping it a secret.I, well, I’m a kelpie shifter.”
There was a moment of silence.Peter waited for someone to ask questions, but no one did.They were giving him time.
This gave him hope that it would work, after all.Maybe hecouldfind a home with the pack.Maybe he could be safe here and live a happy life.“So obviously, I don’t go around telling people about it,” he explained.“The only person who knows is Vincent.”
“You never told your ex?”
“No.Even in the beginning, when he was acting normally, I didn’t know if I could trust him.I was planning on telling him eventually, but, well, we all know that he’s not a trustworthy person.”Peter snorted.“Far from it.I’m glad I never told him.I’m sure he would’ve used it against me, and he would’ve made it harder for me to run.”
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but I’m not sure what a kelpie is?”Braden asked.
He sounded confused, and Peter told himself that there was nothing adorable about it.Braden had asked a question, and that was it.The good thing was that he didn’t sound disgusted, just curious.It wouldn’t be good if he was disgusted by his mate.
Not that Peter was planning on telling him they were mates.He didn’t think he could deal with that right now.
When Peter didn’t answer, Vincent took the lead.“Like Peter said, they’re shifters, pretty much like unicorns and wyverns.They’re water horses.”
“Water horses?”
“It’s exactly what you’re thinking of.Peter has an affinity with water, obviously, and he can shift into a horse.”
Peter risked glancing up.Braden was frowning lightly, but he nodded at Vincent.
“I see.Thanks for telling me.”
Peter found himself smiling despite himself, or at least, he tried.His split lip still hurt a bit, so he stopped himself before he could reopen the wound.
“Well, from one horse shifter to another, you’re welcome with this pack,” Toby said, leaning closer to Peter.
Peter smiled.Toby was a unicorn, so he knew what he was talking about.It felt good to be welcomed by him, and Peter realized that he shouldn’t have been afraid.Of course these people weren’t going to be afraid of him or disgusted by what he was.Why should they be?Their situation hadn’t been any different from Peter’s before they arrived here.They had to keep what they were a secret and fear for their lives if it came out.They knew what Peter had gone through.They’d probably felt the same way he did until they realized that they were safe here.Now, they were happy and settled, and Peter wanted that for himself, too.
He wanted not to be afraid.
“Thank you,” he murmured.“It feels good not to have to hide it.It’s been a long time since I haven’t had to.”
“Well, you’ll never have to hide it again if you stay with us.We have a lake in pack territory, so you can shift and swim there.This can be your home, Peter.If you’re looking for a place to belong, you’ll always belong here.”
It would be less painful to cry now since Toby had healed Peter, but Peter still didn’t want to, not in front of all these people.
“I’ve heard of kelpie shifters,” Camden said.“But I can’t say that I know much about them.Do you have any special abilities like Toby?”
“I can manipulate water,” Peter told him, since he was being honest today.“I don’t often do it because, well, it’s a bit obvious when I do.It’s also harder when I’m not near a body of water.”Peter had lived most of his life away from one, hiding amongst the humans.He hadn’t liked it, but he hadn’t had a choice.
Or maybe he’dthoughthe didn’t have a choice.He could live near a body of water now, though.There was one right here in pack territory.
“And your ex doesn’t know anything about this?”Braden asked.
“No.He doesn’t like shifters, so I never even told him I was one.”In hindsight, that should’ve been the first red flag, and maybe it had been, but Peter had already been in too deep.He’d tried to break up with Lou once, a few months into their relationship.Lou had found a way to change his mind, and after that, it had been too late.The next time Peter had brought it up, Lou had hit him.
“What do you think he’ll do?Will he come after you?”Camden asked.
“He’ll try.He doesn’t like losing control, and me leaving means he doesn’t have control over me anymore.He’ll know exactly where to find me, too.He knows that Vincent lives here and that he’s the only person I would go to if something happened.I don’t have anyone else.”
Vincent reached over to squeeze Peter’s hand.“You do now.Everyone here is going to do everything in their power to keep you safe.You don’t have to worry about Lou anymore.I know he’s dangerous, but he won’t be allowed to touch you ever again.”
Peter wished he could believe that.He knew that Vincent was being truthful and that he truly believed what he was saying, but Peter knew better.Lou was dangerous.He was also stubborn and sneaky.If he wanted Peter, he’d find him.
* * * *
