Filthy rich werewolves by Taylor Caine novel Chapter 73

I smile at Claire. She means well. Truly.

The biggest concern for people like Claire is marriage.

"Gus doesn't seem to mind your past,” Claire goes on. “Are you sure you don't want to consider it? Honest men like Gus are rare nowadays."

"No, it's impossible for me and him.”

And it is.

I’m a wolf (or I used to be). Gus is human.

I’m an ex-convict. Gus is looking to advance his career.

I can’t have kids. Gus wants a family.

I have enemies. Gus deserves safety.

If I spend more time, I’m sure I can catalog a list a mile long.

“I’m not interested in him, Claire.” I won’t give Claire any hope, lest she tries to interfere. That would just end badly…for all of them.

Claire hesitates a moment before asking, "Grace, do you think of Gus as a lower class because he's just a driver? After all, your ex-boyfriend was—“

"Claire!" I interrupt her. ”No! I don't think that. It's just... I've been through so much, I'm not wanting to get into a relationship."

"Oh, you poor child!" Claire sighs. "You should know that if you really don't marry and stay by yourself, you might not feel it that much now, but when you're old with no children around you... it's going to be a kind of loneliness that no one can endure."

"Children..." I smile wryly. "I'm afraid that's wishful thinking for me.”

It isn’t just issues of conception, it’s subjecting a baby who may or may not inherit my wolf genes to be an outcast. And even if I could attempt a life in the human world, would that be any different? I still had enemies. My kids would still be vulnerable. And what about schools? I’d never want to subject a child to ridicule or bullying? If kids learned about my past, they might pick on my kids. No. I can’t risk any of that.

“I appreciate your efforts, Claire. And your advice. But please trust me in this. If not for me, then for Gus’s sake.”

Claire bites her lip. “I don’t agree. But I know you young people well enough to know not to try and change your minds.”

She’s not that much older than me. And I tell her so.

She laughs.

It lightens the mood.

"She was driving under the influence, Gus! She was drunk and killed someone. How is that unintentional?!" Farah retorts. “She's a f*cking witch. And you’re some fool who’s fallen under her spell!"