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CRETE GREECE THREE DAYS BEFORE.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gideon Kalbus was among the minotaurs called back to Greece for the meeting. Officially called The Oshaite, the council was the governing body over the ever increasing non-human or other beings in the world. They kept the records and the history. Giddy like his best friends Hawthorne and Mason were all under their thumb. When he landed he made his pilgrimage to the original site of the labyrinth and silently thanked his gods he wasn\u2019t in trouble. He\u2019d been put in the labyrinth shortly after his 16th<\/sup> birthday and never wanted to repeat that again.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n He was the first to arrive at the meeting the next night and sat by himself watching others wander in. He spotted an elf, several cat girls of some kind, a group he was certain were probably witches. The commotion when Hawthorne walked in with Mason made him laugh. He called to Mason, \u201cas-sal\u0101m \u02bfalaykum little brother.\u201d Across the room Mason looked up beaming, grinning wide and waving, \u201cwa alaikum assalam, Giddy my big brother.\u201d Gideon stood so they could hug. He hadn\u2019t seen hide nor hair of Mason in forever, \u201cwhere you been at?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEli baby!\u201d The voice cutting through the murmur of people waiting at the curb at the airport finally got Eli\u2019s attention as she was staring mesmerized at an announcement board, \u201cElijah!\u201d she turned, blinking then she dropped her brightly colored carry on and ran to the pregnant woman with her arms out, \u201c\u2019Nita!\u201d Squealing and crying the two women hugged fiercely enough to almost fall over, Freddy followed smiling. \u201cHey hey, you two don\u2019t start wrestling in public.\u201d When Anita let Eli go she looked down at her frowning slightly, \u201chave you lost weight? Are you eating enough?\u201d Eli smiled while Freddie retrieved her bags and Anita started feeling her up, muttering. \u201cWhere is your ass?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anita had both hands on Eli\u2019s butt and was squeezing it like a stress ball, \u201c\u2019nita get your hands off my ass. I\u2019m fine. I just started working out more is all. Calm down. Look at you preggo.\u201d Anita was so proud she lifted her shirt over her belly and Eli bent to kiss it, \u201chey kid.\u201d The two of them kissed each other all over the face then turned on Freddie as he struggled trying to lug Eli\u2019s huge shiny luggage. \u201cGod damn girl, you moving in or nah?\u201d The ladies ignored him in favor of the wafting scent of steaks from a restaurant, Eli\u2019s nose was almost quivering. \u201cFreddie come on I\u2019m hungry.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Freddie knew better than to retort and just hustled to catch up listening to them complain to each other about being hungry, Eli glanced at him. \u201cDid your horns get bigger Freddie?\u201d Freddie got her bags in the SUV and carefully climbed in, \u201cno. Eli stop stop, quit it.\u201d Eli had reached over the seat and was tapping on his horns with her nails, he shook his head violently. She was giggling, \u201cso you guys are coming to the opening right?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eli was in town to host a special art opening in one of her galleries, Anita turned a little in her seat. \u201cHold on baby pull over I\u2019m getting in back.\u201d Freddie grumbled under his breath and did as he was told. A police car slowed next to them, and he gave a slight nod, \u201cevening sir. Wife is pregnant wants to sit in back.\u201d As Anita waddled around the front of the truck the cop gave Freddie a thumb\u2019s up, \u201cgood man. Evening ma\u2019am.\u201d Anita smiled, \u201chello officer.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n When she was settled, and they got back on the road Freddie wisely tuned out so the girls could talk without interruption. \u201cSo \u2018nita what is this big favor?\u201d Anita gave her a sweet smile, \u201cFreddie\u2019s brother is coming to town and I think you two should meet.\u201d Eli rolled her eyes and plucked a baggy of cheese crackers from the center console, \u201cagain Anita? Do we have to talk about how it is perfectly fine I\u2019m not mated or married?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anita made a cute pouty face, \u201cit is fine. Totally fine do you. And maybe do Mason, you\u2019ll like him. You tolerate Freddie. Look he\u2019s gorgeous and single and-\u201d Eli turned her head and bit Anita gently on the arm, \u201cshut up Anita. Fuck I don\u2019t need some dude. I\u2019m fine.\u201d Anita made a noise and thumped Eli on the forehead with her fingertip, \u201cyou are so gross stop that. Don\u2019t bite me Elijah.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n When Eli straightened, they faced each other almost nose to nose, Eli with a little smirk, Anita trying not to bite or snarl. Elijah and Anita had been friends their entire lives, from being in a creche nursery for shifters together as tots up through going to Fisk together. Freddie piped up, \u201cEli be nice. And it isn\u2019t our fault, \u2018nita been waiting on them reservations since May.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elijah got dropped off at her apartment in town and started to unpack. She\u2019d just flown in from Greece and that bullshit meeting. It wasn\u2019t that she was at all surprised, she was officially feral. Unnamed. Disconnected from clan bloodlines and staunchly anti-authority. And yet none of that ever stopped any of the men in charge from finding her and dragging her to wherever when they wanted her skills.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inside her apartment Eli stopped feeding her energy to her glamour. Unlike other hybrid shifters, her glamour worked on everyone. Human, hybrid, magical whatever. She\u2019d had to do some terrible things to get it but, she loved being truly incognito. She flopped onto the couch after ordering food to deep dive Mason Jones social media. The first post she looked at was recent. \u201cGod damn okay.\u201d Muttering, brows raised. He\u2019d posted a gym selfie, shirt off, sweaty and big and dark and pretty.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, he was her type for sure. Big, dark skinned, locs and a cute goofy smile. She toyed with the end of one of her brightly colored braids, lips pursed. Anita was right about that; Eli ate men like that for breakfast. She also had her other work and no time to manage a whole ass man. When her phone dinged, she almost dropped it then frowned at the notification from the door to the apartment building, she answered. \u201cHello?\u201d she pulled up the security camera to see who was ringing, it was a man in a suit waving awkwardly at the camera, she didn\u2019t recognize him. He shifted, cleared his throat.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood evening, Ms. Mohamed I am Everett Blackbone, I have some paperwork for you.\u201d She rolled her eyes, of course she\u2019d forgotten they <\/em>were watching and waiting always for her to show up. She buzzed him in, \u201cokay come on up. Elevator is straight ahead then go to the left bank of elevators. Floor ten.\u201d Eli like her mother and the rest of the women on that side of the family all served The Oshaite, the supposed ruling body of non-human supernaturals.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike Anita and Freddie, Eli\u2019s family never signed a contract. Instead, she worked as work came, she had a good reputation as a tracker and hunter, she hated dealing with them but loved the fat paychecks. She stood to go to the door to let the stranger in and when she cracked it, she thought she heard just a tiny sound of quiet sneaky footsteps. She stuck her nose out of the door and sniffed.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Citrusy industrial cleaner, weed, her neighbors side piece\u2019s cologne, the regular home scents. Strangers of course but she felt fine and ignored the little warning in the back of her head. A moment later she heard the elevator ding and went back to the door after a few seconds. Just as she was getting it open three enormous men rushed in, knocking her to the floor. She crouched, looking up growling in her throat. Her gaze flickered to the bookshelf; the men loomed over her. \u201cI do apologize Ms. Mohammed; you are needed in Crete<\/a>.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mason forgotten for the moment, she shifted slightly and eased her socks off. The big men looked to Blackbone and she took her chance. She was up and running at the bookshelf before they moved, she climbed the shelf and perched on top looking down at them, snarling. \u201cGet the fuck out. I told them two weeks ago, fuck you pay me. Mr. Blackbone.\u201d She kept her eye on the biggest goon, the way he was standing she knew she could take him down before the other thought to do anything, she knew how they were trained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Blackbone was trying to gather his thoughts she shifted slightly, her butt settling on her heels as she tensed, ready to pounce on her prey. She hadn\u2019t worked with any of them and clearly they had no idea just how wild she was, she landed on the biggest one knees first on his face. As he crumpled, she wrapped her small muscular body around his head and started growling from deep in her chest, he was under orders not to hurt her and he swatted at her as gently as he could in panic, he shook trying to toss her off, nobody warned them. He couldn\u2019t tell what part of her was squeezing his face, nor had he planned on having a woman wrapped around his head.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n As he stumbled, she dug claws into his meaty shoulders, he yelped as she gripped harder. She got onto his back somehow and met Blackbone\u2019s wide eyed look as she sank her teeth deep into the back of the big man\u2019s neck hard enough for his eyes to well with tears, she felt and smelled the adrenaline and fear but there was no way she was going to give up her prize. He was just a big human. \u201cMs. Mohommed please, please let\u2019s not do this. Don\u2019t hurt him, he\u2019s done nothing wrong.\u201d She let go, scraping a good bit of the skin off with her sharp teeth. \u201cGet the fuck out of my house or I\u2019m going to eat this one and you too. You, yo hey yeah you. You can go. The fuck out.\u201d The other man turned and fled shaking his head, muttering to himself as he trotted away struggling not to break into a run.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The second man made one call and hustled down to the car to wait, muttering. \u201cNobody told us it was a fucking big cat. God damn it. This is bullshit.\u201d When his phone rang he wailed and dropped it before answering, \u201cwhat.\u201d It was Blackbone sounding calm and cool as ever, \u201cwill you call our friends to see to our companion. And text me when you see them arrive.\u201d He closed his eyes, over the phone he could hear that awful sound the girl made, hybrids weren\u2019t new to him but hearing that sound come out of such a pretty girl scared him in ways he could never articulate. \u201cYes, sir I already called they are on the way.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Upstairs Eli let the big man go and he curled on on the floor whimpering, the smell of his blood and fear was making her want to hunt for real. She looked at the other man, \u201cwhat?\u201d Blackbone attempted a tight smile and failed, only managing to look more constipated. His thin brown face was tight, \u201cMs. Moha-\u201d she held up a hand, \u201cdon\u2019t. I did what they asked for and they agreed to the price. Unless you got a money order or can hide a lot of cash up your narrow ass, this visit is done. Tell them I said fucking no.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blackbone bowed his head, hands folded in front of him.\u00a0 He was only human but was dedicated to Sekhmet as was his entire family, they were always sent to deal with the big cats. \u201cElijah please.\u00a0 They only want to talk to you.\u201d She knew he was stalling and why, she walked away and came back with a damp towel. \u201cHey, come on big boy lemme clean you up, I feel bad now. Stop crying.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The big man was sobbing silently, weeping like a frightened child and shivering on the floor. He moved slowly, letting her clean the wound. \u201cSee you\u2019re gonna be okay, it\u2019s just a flesh wound. I didn\u2019t even nick the bone. I could have broken your neck, you know who to blame.\u201d Blackbone\u2019s phone rang, blaring some old soul song. \u201cA moment please excuse me.\u201d Eli didn\u2019t watch his fingers on his other hand, she didn\u2019t see the series of gestures, he didn\u2019t even smell like magic, but he quickly cleared the protections from the entryway. \u201cYes hello? This is Everett.\u201d He turned his back, Eli snickered at him. \u201cHe always like this?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The man let Eli clean his face then he finally looked her in the eye. He wanted to run and cry and panic, he saw in her eyes what she wanted to do. She smiled and booped his nose gently, \u201cI\u2019m not gonna eat you big boy. You\u2019ll be fine. You want a beer or something?\u201d The man just nodded; his confusion evident as she helped him to his feet. He followed to the kitchen and sat at her table looking nervous as she set a bottle of dark beer in front of him, \u201cenjoy that. Stay here.\u201d He murmured, \u201cthanks Eli.\u201d She patted his shoulder as she walked back by, \u201cgood boy. You\u2019re welcome.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eli left him and he sat still, too nervous to touch anything or move lest she leap on him and eat his face. He called his partner who answered, \u201care you all right? Fucking Blackbone he\u2019s supposed to disclose when we\u2019re handling apex predators. You need medical?\u201d The man chuckled, \u201cno she only got me a little bit and cleaned me up. I\u2019m sitting at her table drinking a beer and I\u2019m hoping Blackbone called who I think he did.\u201d The other man was quiet for a long moment then he groaned, \u201coh fuck yeah, he did. Two minutes.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n At that moment Blackbone turned to smile down at Eli. \u201cI value your concerns I truly do. It was not my intention to come for a fight.\u201d Eli hadn\u2019t locked the door behind her guests and as Blackbone was droning his apologies she heard it the split second before everything turned to chaos. Men in sleek black streamed in and one of them got his arms around her before she could run. Eli roared and started flopping and kicking, trying to bite and the man looked at Blackbone who gave a short nod. The men struggled to hang onto her muscular whipping frame, she nailed one in the belly with one booted foot, and he fell to his knees moaning in pain.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Between kicks and bites Eli felt the needle jab and snarled, \u201cyou mother fuckers. Kill all of you.\u201d Blackbone kept his eye on her until she hung limp in the other man\u2019s arms unconscious, he rolled his eyes. \u201cFor fuck sake, I told them she wouldn\u2019t come willingly. Get her to the car we\u2019ll lock up, the plane is waiting.\u201d The man shifted Eli in his arms and slung her over his shoulder, he called. \u201cLet\u2019s go gentlemen, we only have four hours until the next dose and she\u2019s going to wake up pissed. I\u2019m not getting mauled. Someone go get Jack.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Two men helped Jack downstairs after the medic checked his wound and got him bandaged up, \u201cthis ain\u2019t like werewolf shit, is it? I don\u2019t wanna be a cat man.\u201d The man carrying Eli laughed, \u201cno it isn\u2019t lycanthropy Jack you\u2019re fine. It\u2019d be more likely you get an infection, but she got you cleaned up. You\u2019ll be fine don\u2019t be embarrassed. Her kind regularly takes prey two to three times their size. Be glad she didn\u2019t want to eat you.\u201d Jack went pale, he\u2019d seen some things.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The team hustled Eli into a waiting modified ambulance and they got her secured on a caged stretcher. Blackbone took his time and picked up the things knocked over, he got her phone and found her go bag. He knew she and Anita Jones were close and he sent Anita a text from his own phone. \u201cKitty is secured. Stand by. All well.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Crete\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Mason sat with Giddy and a few of the fellas catching up at the meeting, the team brought Eli in. She was covered head to toe including gloves. Every man there looked up hearing the commotion, snarling and growling as three men struggled to carry the woman in. Arthurium still giggling about screwing with Mason sniffed and smiled, he knew who they had and likely what she\u2019d done. When they went by he murmured, \u201chello kitten.\u201d Her head turned, the snarling got deeper, and he heard her voice. \u201cFuck off.\u201d Like Mason, Eli hated elves. When she heard the man say, \u201cnice perfume.\u201d She had calmed down a bit, stopped growling, her voice sounded low and rough.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t even look at me Arty. Fuck you.\u201d Anthurium was giggling but it trailed off when he met her eyes, she meant it. He couldn\u2019t hear the growl but felt it as did several men nearby, they shifted uncomfortably. \u201cEli, darling. Why are you so mean to me?\u201d She rolled her eyes and shook her head; nobody knew why she hated Anthurium so much. He moved a little closer, watching Mason move off. \u201cThe offer is still open kitten, why be feral when you could be a familiar.\u201d She grunted and rolled her eyes, \u201cI\u2019m not a housecat. And just so you know, that shit sounds racist as fuck. Get away from me I\u2019m about to go.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anthurium moved off, still chuckling. He had no intention of trying to really get her to be his familiar but, he liked how it made her growly. While he made his exit Eli turned to the nearest guardian and allowed him to take her wrist. She rolled her eyes, newbies. Nobody trained them on dealing with felines. The moment just enough space opened up Eli dropped to the floor and turned her head to sink her teeth into his forearm.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mason looked up when the guy started squealing, he watched the little hooded woman pop up off the floor, then she faced a pair of huge men, juked and ran past them easily avoiding their attempts to grab her.\u00a0 Mason sat back down with Giddy, who\u2019s nose was twitching, dragoon? Cynamisia maybe? \u201cnah not a Cynamisia. Human probably a witch. You know how they be acting with witches these days.\u201d\u00a0 As men on the other side of the hall tussled and tried to follow the woman, Mason turned his attention back to the front.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n L.A\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The night of the opening Eli was ready early. She\u2019d escaped Crete and gotten home that morning. When her phone rang and she heard Blackbone\u2019s voice she wanted to throw her phone but didn\u2019t. \u201cWhat do you want man? I have shit to do.\u201d He sighed heavily, \u201cEli, why did you run?\u201d She rolled her eyes and put her earbuds in, \u201chold on I need to put my phone down.\u201d She did and then after making him wait another full minute while she groomed one of her eyebrows, she made herself be calm. \u201cObviously I don\u2019t feel like being bled and\u00a0taxodermied\u00a0for study. I know what they do in those rooms.\u201d The man on the other end stood up and paced in his office.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEli, you must understand. It isn\u2019t personal, you can\u2019t be feral and be behaving as you have been. You are Homo Panthera pardus\u00a0sapiens, not some simple killer.\u201d She laughed loud and long, he cringed. \u201cI\u2019m an apex predator. I\u2019m being what I am. I\u2019m not some sicko human killing people for fun. I don\u2019t hate the work; I hate the employer. I don\u2019t need some mystery men to rule over me. I\u2019m not a lioness I don\u2019 t need a whole ass group of people. Let me work, pay me and leave me alone.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eli hung up and turned her phone off in favor of her burner. She was met with texts from Anita reminding her that she was meeting Mason that night. Eli had no intention of doing more than playing with her food then ruining him and sending him home sore and empty, knowing Anita she\u2019d told the poor man to woo her and she didn\u2019t want it.\u00a0At the gallery when she walked in she walked around the installation managing a few last touches before guests started to arrive.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the doorman called Eli turned and smiled, as promised there stood adorable huge Mason Jones. He had flowers and a cute smile, she could see past his glamour that his locs were wrapped in a pretty woven pattern around the base of his horns, she knew Anita had done that. Seeing that made her want to be nice to him so she walked over smiling as he stared at her. It occurred to her he might be afraid of her, the first time she\u2019d met Freddie he almost bolted. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smiling Eli extended a hand when she got close and he melted, she could see his cute floppy ears flapping. \u201cYou smell so good. What perfume are you wearing?\u201d Eli\u2019s brows lifted and she chuckled while he held her hand not shaking it but cradling it between his, \u201ciSomeone makes it for me but you can find it. She calls it, for Elijah, google it. Please tell me you\u2019re Mason?\u201d Mason realized how long he\u2019d been holding her hand right as he started to open his phone then he blushed hard, and she could smell him getting hot.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n He started to enter that on his phone then looked at her, \u201coh it\u2019s bespoke.\u201d She gave him a long up and down look before taking his arm, \u201coh and you talk good.\u201d\u00a0\u201cIs your first name Elijah?\u201d She rolled her eyes, \u201cyeah. I was named after my maternal grandfather out of spite, he was real mad my Mama was pregnant. And I\u2019m a girl.\u201d Mason had to adjust his gait so he didn\u2019t walk past her as they started to stroll together. She was still smiling and it made him happy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShit my manners Anita is gonna whoop my ass. I\u2019m Mason and thank you for letting me come. I like this artist.\u201d Eli looked at him, \u201cZahira Zodhrobut is amazing do you know her work?\u201d Mason couldn\u2019t stop his mouth, \u201cI do now. I followed the links from your instagram. Anita uh you know.\u201d She kept giving him that look, it felt familiar. \u201cI know, USDA Approved M.J.\u201d He blushed so hot he felt like he might faint, \u201coh I wasn\u2019t trying to be creepy I just wanted to know your vibe.\u201d Eli paused in front of a huge painting of a plains scene of some kind.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI figured you\u2019re fine. You like this piece?\u201d It was titled Botswana Pastoral with family, he looked close and tried to count the lions in the painting. \u201cThis detail is incredible, are those female maned lions?\u201d She brightened, \u201chow can you tell?\u201d He pointed, \u201cthose are cubs, that is a creche. Males would get torn apart.\u201d She rubbed his arm and he wanted her never to stop, \u201clook at you exceeding expectations. I should apologize to you, I was expecting less.\u201d Mason was insulted but tickled and he wanted to kiss her but didn\u2019t make a move. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of sweeping her into a movie style kiss he chuckled, \u201cI was on her shitlist for a while. I\u2019m surprised she didn\u2019t tell you to rob me.\u201d Eli cackled, \u201cyou are so cute Moo. Come on Sir Loin.\u201d Elijah liked the man, she let him wander by \u00a0himself while she made a few opening remarks and did a little mingling to greet a few people. When she showed him the piece she\u2019d bought from the show she watched him get into it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat\u2019s it called?\u201d She moved to stand next to him, \u201cBotswana Pastoral with family.\u201d He was examining it closely, brows knit. Even his cute little tail was swishing back and forth, \u201care those maned lionesses?\u201d Impressed she took a half step closer to him, \u201chow can you tell?\u201d He pointed, \u201cthose are cubs, that is a creche. Males would get torn apart.\u201d She rubbed his arm, and he wanted her never to stop. \u201cYou\u2019re right. Good boy. Shit you be all right here for a few minutes?\u201d She was staring past him into the other room, he watched something come over her. \u201cYeah I\u2019m good do what you need to do.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mason heard the sound and didn\u2019t register what it was, it was just a little growly grumble she made that sent a chill down his spine as he watched her walk away. For some reason he thought of watching his cat Abigail stalking bats or birds in the yard but he shook it off and turned back to the painting. Mason hung around for a good part of the party but had to tap out at one point, Eli walked him to his Uber. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou should follow me on instagram, I\u2019ll text or call you soon.\u201d She turned to look up at him and stood on tip toe, Mason blushed and bent so she could kiss his cheek. \u201cIt was nice to meet you. I\u2019ll tell Anita you were the goodest beefiest boy.\u201d Mason\u2019s blush went from his hairline into his shirt and he started to sweat, he had the cutest breathy deep giggle when he was getting embarassed, Eli wanted to make him blush until he fainted. \u201cThank you for letting me be here, I\u2019m gonna follow you later.\u201d He was struggling not to start babbling and simping, he was saved by the SUV that pulled up and the guy calling, \u201cMason Jones?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n After he left and Eli was back in her apartment she laid in bed and dm\u2019d Mason then she posted a photo of the two of them and tagged him. She started a voice note for Anita, \u201cAnita oh my god he\u2019s so cute. Why didn\u2019t you tell me he\u2019s kind of bashful. Anyway I\u2019m not mad about it he is delightful. I love you Mamas don\u2019t go into labor tonight I\u2019m tired.\u201d She hung up but not before she saw Mason reshared her post and tagged her, she\u2019d read the dm the next day.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eli\u2019s phone rang and she moaned as she answered, \u201cwhat oh my god.\u201d Anita giggled, \u201chi baby, did you not tell Mason?\u201d Eli had to think about it, \u201coh shit I don\u2019t think I did.\u201d She giggled sleepily, \u201cit\u2019s fine we\u2019ll figure it out. Are you okay?\u201d Anita sighed, \u201cI guess. Freddie used that body wash he has, the whole bed stinks. I\u2019m gonna sleep on Mason.\u201d Eli shook her head, \u201cyou are the worst pregnant princess. Okay good night go the fuck to sleep. I love you.\u201d Anita yanked Freddie\u2019s pillow out from under his head and threw it across the room on her way out, \u201cI love you too, I\u2019ll see you at brunch.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Pt to of my new experimental heterosexual shape shifter\/human hybrid romantasy. (PT one is linked in the story) CRETE GREECE THREE DAYS BEFORE.\u00a0 Gideon Kalbus […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[43,14],"tags":[26,15,51],"class_list":["post-488","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-experiments","category-short-fiction-muilti-part","tag-fiction","tag-short-fiction","tag-short-fiction-multipart"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":"","thumbnail":"","medium":"","medium_large":"","large":"","1536x1536":"","2048x2048":"","gbox-medium":"","gbox-large":"","gbox-vertical":"","gbox-horizontal":"","gbox-hlarge":"","slider-bg":"","card-grid":"","card-list":""},"author_info":{"display_name":"Shanz","author_link":"https:\/\/shannonbarber.com\/?author=1"},"category_info":"experiments<\/a> short fiction muilti part<\/a>","tag_info":"short fiction muilti part","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/shannonbarber.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/488","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/shannonbarber.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/shannonbarber.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shannonbarber.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shannonbarber.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=488"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/shannonbarber.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/488\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":490,"href":"https:\/\/shannonbarber.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/488\/revisions\/490"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/shannonbarber.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=488"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shannonbarber.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=488"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shannonbarber.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=488"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}