Free Tempestuous Miracles by Anya Byrne

other Bearers and that you largely grew up isolated. I thought that maybe you had questions, things you'd like to ask me that you'd be more comfortable talking about if it was just the two of us." He smiled sheepishly. "It's fine if that's not the case. I simply wanted to give you the chance to ask."
    Mirian was a little surprised to realize that he actually wanted to confide in Julian. There was something about Julian that confirmed what Mirian had hoped for, that here, he might find someone who could understand.
    "I'm just... I'm not exactly sure where Frey and I are headed. It's a very complicated situation. We haven't mated yet."
    Julian gave him a look full of understanding. He sat next to Mirian on the couch, although he also kept some distance between them, ensuring the fact that Mirian didn't feel pressured. "You know, when I first met Roman, I hated the idea of him being my mate. I practically refused it outright."
    Mirian's eyes widened. "What? Why?"
    "All my life, I'd been trapped, simply because of a twist in my genes. My family had already chosen a spouse for me. And now, a man had showed up out of nowhere, claiming he wanted to help me—only to then say that he was my other half. It was just like with everyone else. Or so I thought."
    Mirian could understand where Julian was coming from. He might not have had Julian's experience—his father had made sure of that—but his cage had been one of a different nature, and he'd still yearned for freedom.
    "How did you know? How did you know it was what you wanted?"
    Julian laughed lightly. "It was pretty obvious from the beginning, but I was just being stubborn. It occurred to me that if I hadn't been a Bearer, if all those choices hadn't been taken out of my hands, I would have already embraced what Roman offered. I was fighting it so hard because I couldn't fight any of the things that happened before. Once I realized that, I knew I didn't have to be afraid."
    Mirian bit his lower lip. "I realize I've had it much easier than you and I shouldn't feel the same fear you do, but..."
    He trailed off, unable to vocalize the emotions in his heart. Julian waited patiently, letting him gather his thoughts.
    "I want this," Mirian finally said. "But I have moments when I wonder why I want it, or if I should want it. Does that make sense?"
    "It makes perfect sense. Mirian, we're Bearers. You and I might not be very alike, but I'll hazard a guess to say that you were also told that you were meant to have a certain role. Your father is a good man in that he tried to free you from that role, and you have no idea how happy I am for that. But even the fact that you had to run away and hide made you different. And being a werewolf's mate... That's another role, and you have to get used to the thought, to understand it before you decide if you want to accept it or not. You need to give yourself time. Frey certainly won't rush you. I can tell he loves you very much."
    Mirian's eyes widened. "Do you think so? Do you think he loves me? We've only just met."
    "Sometimes you just know. But don't overthink it. Just let yourself feel whatever you feel. It's perfectly all right to be whoever you want to be. Believe me, that's the person Frey wants by his..."
    Julian suddenly paled, swaying slightly. Mirian grabbed Julian's hand, instantly on alarm and ready to call for someone. Julian stopped him. "It's fine." He guided Mirian's palm toward his belly. "Luna's sibling is being as demanding as she is."
    "You're pregnant?"
    "It was a bit of an accident, I'm afraid. We wanted to wait until Luna was older, but suppressors are useless for a werewolf's mate and other types of contraceptives are... unreliable."
    "Wait... Suppressors don't work for you?" That was definitely something important to know.
    "Ah, I supposed I should have mentioned that sooner. No, they don't. I thought Roman and I were safe after our first time, but well... Luna was the result."
    Mirian felt faint. "So if Frey and I