“Who are you?” My voice comes out smaller than I want it to. “What do you want?”
The one who appears to be the oldest of the four—a woman who is probably in her mid-thirties, whose dark hair is elaborately braided—steps forward first. Her green eyes study me with unsettling intensity. “I’m Marina Rowan-Castellan, Seth’s eldest sister. May we come in?”
They don’t wait for an answer. All four of them sweep past me into my small quarters like they own the place, filling the space with their presence. I’m left standing by the open door, feeling suddenly very small in my nightdress and bare feet. I wish I hadn’t changed out of my clothes from earlier, but after seeing Seth, all I wanted to do was crawl back into bed.
“I—” I start, then close the door because leaving it open seems worse somehow. “You shouldn’t be in my quarters. I’m a healer, and there are protocols—”
“Protocols.” One of the other women—younger, maybe late twenties, with the same cutting features as Marina—laughs. “Did you hear that, Marina? She’s worried about protocols.”
Marina’s lips curve into something that might be amusement. “How refreshing. Most women who catch Seth’s attention lose all sense of propriety.”
My cheeks burn. “I didn’t ‘catch his attention.’ And you really shouldn’t—”
“I’m Vera,” the younger woman interrupts, flopping onto my bed like she lives here. “Seth’s youngest sister. That’s Catherine.” Shegestures to a woman with lighter brown hair who is examining my bookshelf with interest. “She’s second oldest. And that’s Eloise, third oldest.”
Catherine gives me a polite nod. “A pleasure to meet you properly.”
Eloise, with auburn hair a shade darker than mine, offers a sympathetic smile. “We’ve heard quite a bit about you.”
“Yes. We heard some interesting news this morning,” Marina says, her gaze assessing as she circles me slowly. “About our dear brother and a certain healer.”
Before I can stop myself, my hand flies to my neck, covering the mate mark.
All four women’s eyes track the movement. Then, they burst into laughter—not mocking, but genuinely delighted.
“Well,” Vera grins, “that confirms it.”
“Confirms what?” I drop my hand, embarrassment and defiance battling in my chest. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t be coy.” Catherine steps away from my bookshelf, her expression serious. “Seth marked you. Which means you’re his mate.”
The truth settles over the room like a weight. I want to deny it, tell them it’s a mistake, explain that I’m trying to find a way to break the bond. But as I look at these women—Seth’s family—the words stick in my throat.
They study me with varying expressions. Marina appears watchful, Catherine curious, Vera openly amused, and Eloise sympathetic.
“She’s tiny,” Vera observes, tilting her head. “Like a little rabbit.”
“And she’s a healer,” Catherine adds. “That’s actually quite good. We could use more healers in the family.”
“I am not a rabbit!” The words burst out of me indignantly.
All four women pause, then something shifts in their expressions. The amusement is still there, but it’s softer now, warmer. Marina’s edges seem to smooth over, and even Vera’s grin turns gentler.
“No, you’re not,” Marina says quietly, and there’s something almost protective in her voice. “You’re our brother’s mate. That makes you family.”
“Such a sweet little thing,” Eloise murmurs,moving closer. “Standing there trying to be brave even though we’re clearly overwhelming you.”
“I’m not—I don’t need—” I stammer, but Catherine cuts me off gently.
“Forgive us, Selene. We’re not used to—” She exchanges a glance with the others. “The women in our family have always been warriors, strategists, forces to be reckoned with. But you…You’re different.”
“Softer,” Vera adds, and for once there’s no teasing in her tone. “Someone that needs protecting.”
My face burns hotter. “I don’t need protecting.”
“Of course you do,” Marina says matter-of-factly, but not unkindly. She reaches out and tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear, the gesture surprisingly maternal. “Look at you. You’re practically trembling, standing here in your nightdress, trying to defend your territory against four women who could break you in half.”
“But you’re doing it anyway,” Eloise says with obvious approval. “That’s what makes you perfect for Seth. He needs someone with heart, not just strength.”
