23. Akira

Sunlight streams through the window, and I pull River closer to me. Despite our size difference, he feels so right in my arms. The perfect little spoon. Happiness fills my chest, and I realize my kitsune is jumping with joy. That's when my dream slams into me.

My fox spirit found their mate. No, no, no.

Pulling River even tighter against me, I see bits and pieces of my dream. This can't be happening. Not now. My kitsune found our mate. I try to pull up an image of my mate's face, but the dream is too fuzzy.

"Akira?" River says, concern lacing his voice. "Is everything okay?" He tries to twirl around in my arms to face me, but I hold on tight. I can look him in the eyes. If I do, I'll break. My heart feels like it's splitting in two. How could my kitsune find our mate when the perfect person is already right here with me?

There's no way I can give him up. The way River smiles at me, the way we hold each other every night, the nights we play cards, or just talk in bed. He's everything to me. He's my other half. The man I'm in love with.

I have to tell him. Gods, I'm so selfish, but I need River to know. I wanted to wait for the perfect moment to tell him that fate can fuck right off because I choose him. River is my person.

"Akira?" River asks again. "Are you okay?"

"I love you," I blurt. "Gods, I love you, little fox. I want to spend my life with you. I want to say screw fate, we make our own destinies. I need you to know that. No matter what, I love you, River Lowe."

River beams at me. He's just opening his mouth to speak when that damn ringtone he has programmed for his uncle goes off.

"Fuck," I breathe.

River glances over at me. "I think I need to do this. I need to take his call and end things. Will you stay?"

My heart flutters. I nod. "I'm right here if you need me."

River answers the phone and shocks me when he walks over and sits on my lap. All the anxiety leaves my body, and having him near feels like everything is right in the world. If only he wasn't about to talk to this asshole.

"Hello?" River says into the phone.

"River," Harris says with a cool tone. "Are you finished fucking around? How did it feel to not get a paycheck?"

"You are legally obligated to give me my last check for the time I worked for."

Harris chuckles. "Yes, well, that's why I called. We only issue the last check by paper and mail it to you. Does your traveling circus have an actual mailing address?"

"Yes, in fact, we do. I'll text it to you."

"River—"

"No. It's time that you listen to me. Harris." River clicks a few buttons. "I just sent you a text with my mailing address. I also sent you a photo I took with Indy last night. Did you get it?"

I hear Harris gasp on the other end of the line.

"It's true, then? He's alive?"

"Yes, he's alive and he doesn't want to speak to you. I'm sorry it's come down to this, but I need to say it. We are moving on with our lives. I'm moving on. I was miserable working for your law firm, and have no intention of ever coming back to that job." River softens his tone, wiggling slightly on my lap. "I'm sorry that you lost your brother all those years ago. But Indy and I lost our parents. You were the only person we had left. But you treated us horribly. It felt like you blamed us."

"What? Of course, I didn't blame you for their deaths—"

"It doesn't matter; that's how you treated us. I'm done. Indy's done. We are both happy and in love." River is staring into my eyes as he says this. And gods, I feel like I can soar. He just admitted to being in love.

"If you ever pull your head out of your ass, then please contact me."

"And Indy?"

"Contact me," River says in a firm tone. "Like I said, if—if—you ever get your head out of your ass, I can start with a phone call. But there will be no talk about business, your company, or anything negative. Once you prove your good intentions to me, then I will work on getting you a short phone call with Indy. But there will be no homophobic bullshit."

Harris mumbles into the phone.

"I'm serious. Especially since I'm bisexual and in love with a man."

I squeeze River's hip.

Harris begins to talk, but River cuts him off. "Nope. I do not want to hear from you for the next two months. You need some time to reflect on how to treat your family. If there is an emergency, then you can send me a non-business-related email." River nods to himself. "Have a good day, Harris. I hope one day we can heal our relationship, but that's really up to you. Goodbye."

River hangs up his phone and lets out a deep sigh.

"I'm so damn proud of you, little fox," I whisper into his ear, rubbing small circles on his back.

"Thank you," River grins at me. "So, did you just say you love me?"

I grin back. "Yeah, well, you told your uncle you were in love with me, too." I tickle his sides.

River squirms and gasps. "Okay, okay. Mercy! Stop tickling me. There's something I need to do." He hops off my lap and rushes into the room.

My kitsune nudges me, wanting me to follow River. A sinking feeling drops in my stomach. For a moment, I forgot my kitsune found our mate. What the hell am I going to say to River?

A moment later, River returns with a small box in his hand. Dread still fills me, trying to figure out how I'm going to tell River about my mate. Would he still be willing to keep me if I had some mysterious mate waiting?

River takes the box and drops to one knee. I gasp. Isn't this the human equivalent of offering a mate bond? Oh gods. Tears fill my eyes, both happy and sad.

"Akira," River starts. "In such a short time, you've become my best friend, my family, and my person." His eyes fill with tears. "I've been so lost, floating aimlessly through life while searching for my brother. Only, I wasn't as completely alone as I'd thought. Your kitsune was guiding me. Guiding me to the circus, to my brother, to friends, and, most importantly, guiding me to my mate."

I choke back a sob, my throat going tight at the word mate. "River," I manage. "I need to interrupt you. Little fox, I love you. So much, but I have to tell you the truth. My kitsune found his mate last night. I don't know what to do."

"Shh, shh, it's okay. I already know," River says, smiling.

What? How does he know?

River opens the small box in hand, and my heart slams inside of my chest. My eyes snap up to his emerald gaze. "River?" I gasp. Unable to believe my eyes.

He nods and pulls out an antique key dangling from a chain. It isn't the same as the one from my dream, but the intention is there. Memories flicker in my mind, filling in the spots of my dream that I couldn't remember. River's face fills my mind.

"I present this mating gift to you, the way your kitsune has given it to me." River bites his lip, and I have to refrain from gathering him up into my arms until he finishes. "You are my person, Akira. I choose you. Both of you. I love you, and I love the little fox spirit inside of you. You're my safe place. If you'll have me, I would be honored to be your mate."

Tears are streaming down my face now. I swoop River up into my arms. "Oh gods, yes. Yes." River giggles as I toss him over my shoulder and carry him into our tiny bedroom. I toss him onto the mattress and pounce.

"Yes, little fox. My mate." I pepper him with light kisses all over his face and neck. His lips, his temple. "Yes, River. I will always accept you. You are my everything."

River grins. "Oh! Did you ever give the shell to Seven? I haven't heard it sing in a while."

"No," I shake my head, baffled. "It disappeared… just vanished from my pocket."

"Hmm." River gives me a sly smirk. "Maybe it's off to go help another couple fall in love."