Molly thought for a moment before focusing her attention on Olivia. “What does it mean that you can communicate telepathically?”
Olivia faced her. “The bears have the ability to talk to one another when they’re shifted. It’s not an ability wolves have, at least no wolf shifter anyone’s heard of. For some reason, I can also communicate with the bears in my head. The first time I encountered them, I realized I could hear them talking to each other. I didn’t understand because they were shifted. And then they suddenly stared at me when I had a thought. Apparently they’d heard my internal dialog, too, and that’s when we all determined I had this odd ability I share with them.”
“That’s incredible. And these bears? Are they a threat?”
“Not necessarily,” Elias responded. “Most of them seem very kind and have been helpful. A few have befriended us and have come to warn us when the rogue members of their group might be a threat.”
Molly nodded. “I don’t know how useful my skill is since I can’t exactly sit on the back porch listening to hundreds of voices around me. I’d go mad.”
Khloe smiled. “You don’t have to sit around waiting to hear anyone talk because the moment any of them make a decision to head this way, I sense it. I can call you.”
Molly grinned. “And then I can step outside and eavesdrop.”
“Exactly,” Khloe confirmed.
Felix gave her shoulders a squeeze. “I suggest we not let on to any of the bears that Molly can listen in on them. She’s not going to know who is who among them until the first time she has an encounter with them, but it might be best if we not reveal her powers to any of them yet.”
Molly nodded. “It’s true I don’t know who is who, however, it would seem I have an eidetic memory for voices. I know all of yours perfectly from just one simple introduction. I now know and can single out which of those bears is a friend and which is a foe. I won’t forget.”
“Impressive.” Damon shook his head in surprise.
Gavin leaned around to meet her gaze. “Did you have an eidetic memory before?”
“No.” Molly shook her head. “I didn’t even realize it until everyone introduced themselves.” She was glad her Daddy was still squatting behind her because she turned in his arms and whispered into his ear. “I feel like I’m a freak.”
He cupped her ear to respond, “You’re not, Little one. There’s no such thing here. No one, and I meanno one,is thinking that.”
She still leaned into him, feeling self-conscious like everyone was staring at her. Theywerestaring at her, of course, because she was the one who had the floor, but that didn’t mean they were judging her.
“Can Molly come with us to my play room?” Khloe asked.
“I think that’s a great idea,” Damon responded. “We Daddies will meet in the kitchen while we prepare a snack for you girls.”
Arion nodded. “Is there any chance you six could agree to a shenanigans ban for the next hour?”
Jezebel giggled. “Not a chance, Daddy. Don’t be silly. What kind of a welcoming committee would we be if we didn’t teach Molly our naughty tricks?”
Molly stiffened. She didn’t want to end up in a timeout.
Daddy cupped her ear again. “I withdraw my previous warning. I want you to have fun with the girls. I won’t punish you today as long as you don’t do anything that’s a safety concern.”
She twisted to hug him again. “Thank you, Daddy.”
Khloe held out a hand toward her.
The moment Molly set her fingers in Khloe’s palm, she felt a welcome sense of belonging. Maybe she didn’t need to be worried about them judging her. Maybe this group was as tight-knit and kind as Daddy had told her many times.
“Leave the door open, girls,” Felix called out as soon as they were all inside the playroom.
Khloe rolled her eyes and covered her mouth to stifle a giggle.
Suzette was holding Olivia’s hand and guided her as they all sat in a circle on the rug in the middle of the room that looked very much like the nursery Daddy had prepared for Molly.
Molly sat next to Olivia.
Olivia smiled at her. “Before we leave, I’ll shift so I can see what you look like. I tend to spend a lot of time in my wolf form because it’s so much easier when I can see. Daddy doesn’t like it when I do it too much in the house because then we can’t communicate.”
Khloe groaned. “At least youcanshift in the house. My wolf is so large I would knock stuff over and crush the furniture.”
