Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
The Guard and all Lycans growled in warning, the air changed, and Otherworld male aggression filled the foyer.
“Okay, everyone,” Father said. “Let’s relax. Everyone is safe. And no one is fooking tearing shit down, so watch yer fooking mouth, vampire.”
There was a long pause of tension, and then Adryan started laughing, the crazy motherfucker. Everyone started following my father and the Guard to the lower level.
I looked toward the glowing kitchen where the women were laughing, the noise of a cork popping echoing down the hallway as they opened a bottle of wine.
I didn’t know what the future held, but I knew one thing for certain: I’d fight to protect Aisling even if it meant I’d die. I’d rather have spent one night knowing what it meant to finally have my mate than never have known at all.
19
AISLING
The moment I stepped into the kitchen, the queen handed me a wine glass. “Thank you, my queen.”
“Luna, sweetheart.”
I knew my eyes were wide as I took the glass. “Pardon?”
She smiled. “Call me Luna. No formalities here, especially not with being a fated mate to Lennox.” She smiled sweetly, her long white-blonde hair carrying the scent of orange blossom.
My face felt hot, and I smiled. I would be lying if I didn’t admit I was uncomfortable standing here with royalty and other fated mates, and I was… just like them. I wasn’t seen as a staff member of the royal estate.
I stood back sipping my wine and listened to the women talk amongst themselves. They didn’t seem worried or apprehensive about what was transpiring, or if they did, they hid it really damn well.
The children had been taken to a panic room underground, the safehouse built so thick and protected by heavy magic, that it helped ease the fear their mothers had.
My nerves were shot. My body not only hummed from spending the night with Lennox and finally experiencing what it was to have my mate but also from the dangers looming too close for comfort.
I’d gone from one reality to another, and part of that included standing in a kitchen full of mates to powerful Lycans and vampires, all beautiful and carrying the kind of presence that made you take notice that they were so otherworldly even if they were humans.
I took another sip and loved the flavor of crushed berries with a hint of fire. Kayla popped the cork on a second bottle with a smile on her face. “If we’re going to be stuck here for God knows how long while the overly protective and aggressive men talk bloodlines and betrayals, we’re going to do it tipsy as hell.”
“I second that,” Ada said, reaching into the fridge and pulling out a charcuterie board that had clearly been prepared for tonight. “Let’s get buzzed and stuff ourselves on cheese and fruit.”
Everyone laughed. Evelyn, Cian’s mate, opened a cabinet and pulled out crackers and chocolates, and soon enough, everyone was gathered around the large kitchen island drinking wine, eating snacks, and talking about everyday things, especially laughing about our over protective Otherworld males.
The more time that passed, the more relaxed I became. No one cared about etiquette. There was something deeply comforting in this situation. It felt real and unapologetic.
And then I felt everyone watching me. I looked up from the charcuterie board mid-bite, my eyes feeling wide.
“I still can’t believe he found you,” Luna said, smiling in a way only a mother would when speaking about her child.
My face heated all over again, and I took a long drink from my wine glass. A few of the women chuckled. “Canna believe I found him,” I admitted.
“Gods,” Evelyn said. “You have the cutest damn accent ever.”
I had to laugh at that.
“You’re embarrassing her,” Darragh, Caelan’s mate, said in a soft voice. She stood beside her best friend Evelyn, and although these females were now family because we were mated to brothers, I still felt so… out of place.
This was new and kind of frightening, if I were being honest.
“To see one of your children struggling and hurting so much,” Luna said softly, “it’s hard. But then you came along, and although he still struggles with his wolf and the trauma, having you by his side has made my son whole again.” She smiled at me and placed a hand on top of mine. Her skin was smooth and warm and felt comforting.
“He makes me feel alive, too,” I admitted. “But it’s strange, ye kno’… our wolves are silent until they recognize each other fully.”
There were indistinct murmurs of comfort from the women.
“In time, all things heal.”
We all glanced at the doorway to see Odhran’s mate Larkin standing there. She had her hands clasped in front of her, and I knew her mate wasn’t far from her. I’d heard about their love story, one filled with devastation and trauma. Larkin had experienced so much pain, and Odhran never stopped trying to find her… save her.