Kadenburg Revealed (The Kadenburg Shifters Series, Book 4) by T.E. Ridener Page B

this, but honestly, how was a man supposed to be calm and collected when he was about to give a woman something so vital?  “Anyway, when the daughters selected their mates and the couples performed their..well, their coupling, something happened.”
    “Something?” Presley was watching him intently.  He could tell she was holding onto each and every word he said as her pulse quickened in his ears.  Was she nervous?  She had no reason to be nervous.  Hell, he was the one that was about to pass out.  He released a shaky laugh and shook his head.
    “They gave up what made them swans, Presley.  They became she-bears and left behind their world for ours.  They sacrificed that part of themselves so the warriors would no longer be lonely.  It was a very precious gift to leave behind.”
    “Oh,” Presley whispered.  “So then I guess I wouldn’t really be able to sprout wings, would I?”
    God, he loved her.  He leaned over and brushed his lips against her cheek before smiling again.  “I don’t think so, Darlin’.  But....”
    “But what?”
    “There have been known cases of feathers sprouting before.  One or two swans make their way into the family from time to time.”
    “What?!” Presley’s mouth fell open as she stared at him in disbelief.  He read her mind easily and nearly fell over.
    You’re shitting me!
    “I shit you not, Sweetheart.  Davey Berdine’s sister was a swan through and through.  I remember seeing her once when I was a kid.  She was probably the prettiest swan I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
    “Davey’s sister?” Presley shook her head slowly.  “What happened to her?”
    “She died,” Lorcan responded solemnly.  “They rarely live past the age of thirty.  But it’s rare for one to slip through the cracks, like I said.  I think there have been four in total since the early 1900’s.”
    “But why do they die so young?  I never knew Davey had a sister.”
    “I wish I knew,” Lorcan shrugged his shoulders.  “Anyway, back to the story here; the swans were turned into bears when they gave themselves to the warriors.  They gave up feathers in exchange for fur, wings in exchange for claws.  And Thomas, your great-great-great-great....” He tried to keep track of how many greats he had to include.  “I think he was your great-great-great-great-great grandfather....Shit, I can’t remember.  But he never wanted anyone to forget the sacrifice the swans made, and so he started a new tradition.”
    “Wait, back up.” Presley lifted her hand into the air and Lorcan immediately halted what he was about to do, which was present her with the gift he held in his palm.  His face fell suddenly as he stared at her.
    “What?”
    “Your mom didn’t mention that Thomas was related to me.  How is he related to me?”
    “I just told you, Pretz.  He’s your bajillion-great grandfather.”
    “But which side?”
    “Your father’s,” Lorcan nodded.  “He came from your father’s side....why?”
    Presley was quiet for a moment and Lorcan tried to rummage through her thoughts but there were just too many.  He opted for remaining silent as she worried at her bottom lip.
    “I just never knew that,” she finally said.  “Uncle Arnold doesn’t talk about my family very much.  I guess it’s silly to be surprised that one of the originals was my grandpa, huh?  We all started somewhere.”
    “That we did,” Lorcan gazed at her warmly and then held the box out towards her.  “He started a tradition, Presley.  He wanted to show his gratitude to the swans and Urseth found a way to do that.”
    Presley peered into the box then and Lorcan was pleased with her reaction.  He was hoping she would like his gift, but more importantly; he hoped she would accept it.
    “Oh my god, Lorcan.” Presley gasped as she pulled the necklace from the box and lifted it into the air.  Her eyes were glued to the sparkling jewels protruding from the silver frame of the swan wings, and