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spilling secrets. It could mean shunning from the community, and
there were a lot of shifters who needed the support of others of
their kind.
 like your room, Branimir commented, wanting to get off the
I
topic of family.

It fits me. I ll give you a tour of the house.
Branimir tightened his grip around Austin and shook his head.
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THE LONGEST STRIDE
 think we should take a nap first. Then you can take me on a tour
I
of your house, and feed me.

Sounds like a plan, Austin murmured.
He listened to Austin s breathing deepen, and soon his lover
was asleep. Branimir lay there, his eyes closed, but his mind
racing. Keeping secrets from the man he loved went against
Branimir s personal code, and he d hated not telling Til. Yet he d
always done what his ancestors had and lived among the humans
without showing a glimpse of the real him.
Stroking his fingers along Austin s arm, Branimir considered
what would happen if he showed Austin his true nature. Would
Austin freak out and leave him? Or would he think he was having
a mental breakdown? Branimir knew he would have to shift in
front of Austin, but he d never done it in front of someone before
and he wasn t sure if he d be able to do it.
His phone rang and Branimir crawled out of bed to dig it from
his pocket before Austin woke up.

Yeah?

Umm& we have a problem, Drahomir said.
 are you talking about? Branimir sat on the floor,
What
resting his back against the bed.

Seems Father followed me to your place. He s here, causing a
scene. Your employees are doing a good job keeping him away
from the horses, but I wanted you to know. I think he s finally
gone over the edge, Bran. He keeps shouting about us shifting, and
he would never say anything if he was thinking clearly.

Shit! Branimir pinched the bridge of his nose and thought for
a moment.  Lissa call the police and have him arrested for
Have
trespassing. I ll be home as soon as I can.

I m sorry, bro.
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THE LONGEST STRIDE
 not your fault. You had no way of knowing Father
It s
wouldn t just let you go. Now go call the cops.
He hung up and sighed.
 news, huh? Austin rested his hand on Branimir s
Bad
shoulder.

Yeah. I m going to have to head back home.

Then I ll go with you.
* * *
Branimir looked back at Austin and frowned.  A
re you sure? I
thought you had another show coming up.
Austin thought for a moment before shrugging.  can send
I
some of my students with the horses. They need to learn how to
make decisions without someone holding their hands, and Maria is
going to this show, so I can trust her to keep an eye on things.
Branimir looked like he wanted to argue, and Austin leaned
over to press his fingers to Branimir s lips.
 arguing. You re my boyfriend, and your problems are
No
mine. I know if I needed you, you d be there for me. He gave
Branimir a little peck on the mouth, then he flipped the covers off.
After climbing out, he stretched and yawned.

Do we have time for another quick shower and dinner?
 guess. As long as they put Dad in jail, I ve got time to get
I
there. Branimir scrubbed his hand over his face and grunted. 
I
don t know what brought him here. I can t believe he would
actually follow Drahomir. He s never showed any interest in any
of his children before this.
Austin shrugged.  M something s gone wrong and he
aybe
wants to fix things with you.
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THE LONGEST STRIDE
He chuckled at the look Branimir gave him.
 Having him arrested says you re not in the mood to
Okay.
work things out with him.

It s been over twenty years since he threw me off the ranch,
Austin. There s no way he can fix this, and I m not sure I want to
go back to the way we used to be. I m happy with my life,
especially right now.
Austin gave an unmanly squeak as Branimir swept him up in
his arms and whirled him around. He wrapped his arms around
Branimir s shoulders, laughing while Branimir danced them into
the bathroom.

I m glad to hear you re happy now, Austin said as he turned
on the water.
 think I m comparing you two, but I haven t been this
Don t
happy since Til died.
Austin closed his eyes and gave a mental fist pump. He knew
Branimir wouldn t compare him to Til, and really they weren t
anything alike to begin with, but it was good to hear he made
Branimir happy. Silly to feel that way when Branimir had already
told him he loved him, yet Austin loved the validation.
 love you, he blurted out as he turned to face his lover.
I
Branimir blinked and smiled.  you, too, though I think
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