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I ran another few miles. I’d already lifted, and was nearly out of ideas of how to get rid of the stress. I needed to get my head straight and get back in the game. If I didn’t, my job was gone. I wasn’t going to let Levi down again.

“Trying to win a race?” Owen caught up with me. I’d been so wrapped up in my pity party I hadn’t noticed his approach. I really was losing it.

“No, I’m trying to get away from your mother.”

“Real original.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not feeling particularly creative at the moment.” I slowed down slightly.

“Get off it, man. So you slept with a Pteron. It’s not a big deal.”

“Not a big deal? And I didn’t just sleep with her. I lost count of how many times we went.”

Owen laughed. I wanted to smack him. “She hadn’t transformed yet, had she?”

I sped up my pace. “No. Not if she’s telling the truth.”

“Then get over it. She wasn’t even a real Pteron yet.”

“Yes, she was. You’re born a Pteron. You don’t have to shift to become one.”

“I give up, man. Just let it go. Or don’t. If you like the girl—”

I stopped short. “What? Are you suggesting I knowingly hook up with a Pteron?”

“It’s not like you want to mate with her. And even if you did… it’s been known to happen.”

“Shut up. Just shut up. It’s never happening again.” My body rebelled at my words. It begged to be touched by her again, to explore her—no. I couldn’t go there.

“Fine. Are you going to do the research Levi asked you to do?”

“Find her mom? Yeah, of course I will. It’s my job.” Owen may have been my friend, but I wasn’t letting him see any weakness. He was more loyal to Levi than he’d ever be to me.

Chapter Seven

Casey

“When would I ever wear that?” I held up the flimsy blue fabric Allie handed me. I hated looking a gift horse in the mouth, but I wasn’t the kind of girl who needed lots of clothes—especially not lingerie. I was a cotton panties and bras kind of girl…usually.

“Hailey said you’d need lots of tight cami’s and stuff.”

“I’m sure I can find something better. This isn’t my kind of place.” I knew she was right though. I’d been all about flying with Toby until I realized I had nothing to wear. We had to go by my place just to find a tank top. I needed to start traveling prepared. It was tricky to find tops that provided enough coverage yet still left room for wings. Guys had it easy. They just went shirtless.

Allie laughed. “Not into shopping for lingerie?”

“No. Not exactly.” Especially not with my new grandma. I spared Allie from listening to me expand on my dislike. Allie had been nothing but friendly and helpful. She didn’t deserve to listen to my complaints.

Georgina finally left us alone. She’d been nice to me, but talk about overbearing. She’d already purchased a new wardrobe for me in less than two hours. We’d moved on to underwear and bras when she decided to take a call. I was glad. If she tried to make me buy thongs, I probably would have passed out. I also realized she was probably trying to keep me busy. I don’t know what kind of research she was doing, but I could tell she was the kind of woman who made sure to get her facts right.

“I never thought much about lingerie, but now I do.” She looked away with a tiny smile.

I nodded. “Yeah… Levi.”

“Oh. Sorry. I guess he’s your brother so….”

“That still seems weird. None of this really makes sense.”

“Maybe not, but it is cool.” She started sorting through some red panties. The girl was into red.

“Cool?”

“Yeah. You’re a Pteron. You’re strong, fast, and can fly. That’s incredible.” She didn’t need to lower her voice. Georgina had gotten the boutique to close to the public, the same thing she’d done with every other store we’d gone to. The only employee working had gone into the back of the store.

I smiled. “When you put it that way…”

“What other way is there to put it? I mean, why focus on the bad?”

“Have you always been this optimistic about things?”

She laughed. “Not exactly. I guess Levi’s rubbing off on me.”

“Are you excited to get married?”

She hesitated for a moment. “Yes and no.”

“Oh?”

“Okay, let’s rephrase that. I’m excited to be married, but not about the wedding. Does that make sense?”

“You don’t want all the hoopla and planning.”

“Exactly. My mom and Levi’s mom are doing most of it, but it just seems like such overkill since Levi and I are already bound.”

“Do your parents know?” I still wasn’t sure of the rules about sharing Pteron secrets. I also tried to ignore the pit in my stomach created by the mention of Levi’s mom. My existence couldn’t have come as a nice surprise to her. If it was even a surprise at all. Did she know about me? Did Robert?

Allie knew exactly what I meant. “No. I get the feeling that my mom knows something is different about the Laurents, but my dad hasn’t noticed. He’s just glad I’m marrying into a ‘good’ family.”

“‘Good’ as in money?”

“Yeah. His business has been in much better shape lately.”

“I see. It’s cool that you don’t view it that way.”

“Money is great and all, but it can’t buy you happiness.”

“It can buy you a lot.” I glanced at the shopping bags lining the wall of the boutique.

“Sorry. I guess that probably came out wrong.”

“No. I get it. I’m used to having wealthy friends.”

“Well, now you can count yourself as one of them.”

“Not really. I mean, Georgina’s spoiling me, but it doesn’t mean I have money or anything. I can’t even pay tuition.”

“Yes, it does.” Allie walked over to the counter with a pile of red. “Trust me. You’ll be well taken care of. The Laurents know how to treat family.”

The financial aspect of my new identity wasn’t one I’d thought about yet. Still, as good as having some resources sounded, I knew nothing came without strings. They were going to want something from me in return. I was still wondering what the clothes would really cost me.