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Rey nodded, his eyes still on me. “I know we’re asking a lot from you.”
“It’s okay.” This time, my tone was unwavering. “I’ll keep training, and when it’s time, I’ll be ready.” At least, I hoped I would be.
Under the table, Shane held my hand again. I let him entwine his fingers with mine, to give me strength.
“All right.” Hadrian shot to his feet. “Let’s get the ball rolling. I’ll see you all in Florida in two days.” He walked away.
The people around the table got up. Some stayed around, talking among themselves, others left the tent and went about their duties.
Shane tugged my hand and I rose with him. Thea turned to me, an encouraging smile on her lips. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you. You can do this.”
She then went to talk to the warlock and the female alpha, who were now holding hands.
I frowned. Shane followed my line of sight. “They are fated mates.”
“Oh.” That was cool.
“A lot of couples here are.” I noticed Shane glancing to Cain, then to Norah. “Even ones that aren’t officially a couple.”
Erin and Rey walked toward us. I stiffened, but Shane greeted them like old friends.
Erin stepped right into me and wrapped her arms around me. “I know what you’re going through.” Right. She had had to kill her father. She pulled back and looked at me. “I just wanted to say that you’re brave and strong, and I admire what you’re doing for us.”
“If you need anything for your training, just let us know,” Rey told me. “Whatever it is, we’ll send it your way.”
“Thanks,” I muttered.
“Let’s go,” Drake called from the other side of the tent. “We have much to do.”
Shane and I waved at Erin and Rey, at some other supernaturals too, then we followed Drake and Thea out of the tent. Aspen was waiting for us. He opened the portal and we all stepped through. We arrived right where we had left—the front steps of DuMoir Castle.
After thanking the warlock and watching as he left and the portal closed, Lord Drake turned to us. “It’s getting late, and we all have much to process. I’ll give you all the night off. But tomorrow we’ll start early with a meeting.” He looked at me. “And with training.” I nodded. “Good evening,” he said before taking Thea’s hand and walking into the castle.
Everyone followed.
And I was suddenly left alone with Shane.
He tugged me closer and I looked at him.
He sighed, his puppy eyes on me. “Can we talk?”
12
SHANE
It took everything in me to remain calm and quiet during the meeting. They all stared at Raika as if she was the ultimate weapon. Maybe she was, but she was my mate.
At some point, I had growled, but Drake shot me a death glare. I knew that if I moved one inch out of line, I would be kept away from the mission, and that couldn’t happen. I had to be there. I had to be beside Raika the entire time, keeping her safe.
I was glad that when I took her hand in mine, she didn’t pull back.
We were still holding hands when we crossed back to DuMoir Castle, and everyone went inside.
I looked at her, my heart tight. “Can we talk?”
She stared at me, her bright blue eyes so poignant. “We should, yes.”
Shit, what did that mean? For a moment, I panicked she would return her ring to me. That she would tell me she wasn’t going to marry me anymore. If that was the case, I would take it back. I would never force her to do something she didn’t want, but I sure as hell would do my best to have her accept it again, even if it took a year or a decade.
