The men took Maria and Sally back to the mansion. Before Sally knew it, she found herself inside this large first-floor living room with a huge tv screen. Maria sat on the couch Ash, Mason, Daniel, Zig, and Hunter were inside standing around.
John, the Primaries, and I came charging into the living room. John bolted to Maria sitting on the couch across the room. He instantly pulled her up and hugged her tight.
"Are you alright?" John asked panicked when kissing her.
Maria replied shaken up, "yes we are good."
Meanwhile, I was gathering myself to see my bride standing here covered in mud. My Grandmothers on my mother's family side would kill me if they saw my future-to-be wife looking like a mud pit.
Seeing her worried eyes I walked up to her and gently grabbed her face.
"What happened?" I firmly asked, "why are you covered in mud?"
"I was helping a baby Pegasus out of the mud," Sally answered. "I didn't realize how dangerous they were.
"The herd would have found him and got him out," I said taking my hand away while looking at her strangely.
"I wasn't going to leave him there," Sally affirmed adamantly. "I heard him crying in stress."
"I'm not sure how you heard that cry because I didn't hear anything. That species of a horse is known to have a soft pitch." Maria admittedly said when cuddled with John.
Sally directed a shocked look at Maria and asked. "What do you mean a soft pitch? It echoed through the meadow!"
However, I and the guys stood here listening to the women. We knew Sally shouldn't have heard that infant but a hybrid man could. This was cutting too close that Sally might start asking questions about herself.
"Well, you're both safe now," I said dropping it. "Next time be more careful." Sally gestures in agreement. "why don't you go up and get a shower. Once you're ready we are leaving."
"Clara is home, she got homesick," John told Maria. "Jake's in the room watching her with his friends. Samantha is coming so we might as well bring Clara and Samuel."
Maria nodded and kissed her husband one peck and then followed Sally out to get ready.
Daniel, Zig, Hunter, and Ash kinda stood in the open doorway making sure nobody was around to listen in.
"Is it possible she has our hearing ability?" I asked.
"Seems like it," JJ said amazed. "Maria's right about that species of horse is a quiet creature and the babies aren't loud. That herd has been here sharing the territory with Beast."
"I say it's plausible," Jay agreed. "If we can tune in our hearing then I'm sure she can too."
"Perhaps, her mutation gene is changing," I said and asked JJ after thinking more deeply. "Was there anything on her bloodwork?"
"Puzzlingly enough there was," JJ confirmed. "Her mutation cells changed abnormally. It's nothing I've ever seen before. So I don't know what to think of it but my family and I are researching this."
"Good call," I replied. "I say we need to keep eye on her mutation cells. And make sure we keep a private record on it."
"yes, we will do that," JJ nod and continued. "Also, she showed higher hormones, I suspect she'll have a painful heat cycle. It's a clear enough indication the bond between you two is active. Now you just need to keep it growing."
I was pleased to hear this but didn't wanna get into it since the bond was still a tricky topic. "What about her gender read?" I asked.
"Unfortunately, those results are still inclusive," JJ told.
I only gave a disappointed gesture since I genuinely wanted to know.
"You can't deny it now. Proven love chemistry showed right through her bloodwork." Randomly, Matt joked but I knew he wasn't fully joking.
I should've known changing the topic wasn't going to be easy with Matt and Mike here.
"Again I'm not denying anything nor am I claiming anything either," I clarified.
"Would you just admit it already!" Mike teased, "test results don't lie, Cory. You can say you love her. We see that lovesick look on your face."
I smirked and tried covering it up, "I admitted it and I am happy to hear this! Since our bond is nicely forming it will make it easier to connect with her. Maybe she'll share her dream with me or stop trying to convince me to marry Rachel!"
"Take it from my experience," John started. "Maria hated me. She was petrified of me just like Sally is with you. The bond was set I just had to keep working at it and she came around, eventually. Sally may not love you yet but you're on your way. She'll love you someday. So you can't hide what you feel from me. You forming this bond I know you love her. I've been in the same boat you're in right now."
I chuckled and said. "Thanks for the advice John and for spilling out the secret."
"The secret has been out the moment you saw her. Before we went into that business office you said no witnesses. Yet, Sally was a witness. I was ready to put her down but no, you snatched her and engaged her! You can't tell me you don't feel love for her." Aaron lectured.
I laughed hard and said. "You guys will never get off my back will you!"
"Nope, not at all," Matt chuckled. "We know your true nature. You would have never walked out with her alive. You've had attractions for women but never had any true feelings for one."
"Indeed, I knew the second Jay told me," Nick told. "Then I had to go fetch her from running yet bringing her back you didn't punish her. We knew that's not you either."
"Fine!' I love her! Now, will you guys get off my back?" I couldn't take it anymore.
Everyone laughed in an uproarious manner.
"About time!" Mike teased, "that will never happen from me!"
"I'd predict that." I warned smirkingly at Mike. "Just wait till you fall in love with a lady. There will be payback and I will enjoy every ounce of it."
Mike laughed hysterically gloating "I already did because I love all women."
We laughed real hard at Mike's ridiculous statement.
"You know what I mean Mike." I warned pointing my finger at him across from me." You know what I mean."
Everyone including me laughed harder.
"The ladies are done they're coming back down so we can go." John informed when looking at his phone chuckling.