Chapter Thirty-One
Remy
“I’ve learned a lot watching the family find mates.” I glance toward the house and grin. “They love hard. Many of them had qualities that humans would find unredeemable, but those are the same elements that make them excellent mates.” I look at her. “I am the same. I’ve killed humans and shifters. Jenica wanted to kill you for no reason. In the journey to find Lawson, I shifted and killed a human. All of us shed blood while searching for him, and we lose no sleep over it. I will kill anyone who hurts you, just as all the family will defend their mates, and the world they built here. We protect what belongs to us. You have four mates who won’t just bend the rules the humans say they live by; we break them.” I turn on the seat. “You are our reason for everything. That's the reason we're messed up about Jenica.We consider it our job to protect you. We failed.” She opens her mouth, and I place my finger against her lips.
“It might not be rational, but it’s how we feel. We're proud men, so it stings that we weren’t the ones to rescue you. It doesn’t mean we aren’t grateful Rylee was here, or that we think she isn’t capable of protecting you. We care about her, and it was difficult seeing her so close to losing her life. Our lives have been filled with regret, and we have to move past our guilt. It isn’t something you need to worry about. We’ll get over it. Preventing any pain from touching you isn’t rational either, yet we will try our best to stop it.” I drop my hands.
“Not possible,” she whispers, smiling softly.
“Our egos are grand.” I wink, smirking. “It’s the thought that counts, right?”
“Yes.”
I nod. “Good,” I hum, my gaze traveling over her face. “We’ll probably do things to piss you off. Please remember we will do our best to make you as happy as possible. I want to give you the gift of the jaguar. You will be powerful. Human bodies are weak and can carry disease. It will give me great relief to know it will be hard to hurt you. The freedom of shifting is like nothing else in the world. I want to see your reaction to the world through your animal's eyes. The magic of running through the woods as an animal is indescribable. Everything else falls away.” I cup her knee. “I will love you until our souls leave this world and travel to the next.” I squeeze my fingers.
“Damn,” she breathes, shaking her head lightly. “As you walked toward me in the hallway, your eyes intensely fixed on me, I thought,‘I could get lost with this man and be forever happy.’You watch me in a way that makes me feel like the center of your universe. I’ve never had anyone pay such attention to every need. You know what I’m thinking before I voice it. The way you move is as if you're stalking prey, yet I don’t want torun away, but into your arms. You are pure class, but deadly in a crisp suit. It’s a wicked combination and sexy as fuck.” She grins. “Our time with Lawson was the most erotic of my life. It felt like my life was finally showing me where I was supposed to be. I don’t know if I will be good at being a shifter, but I want to find out. The way you describe it is intoxicating, just as you are.” She turns her hand and grips mine. “I am astonished by the man you have become despite the woman who raised you. I can’t imagine what kind of resolve it took to keep your control and leave when you could. Many times, I wanted to give in to my father’s wishes. Something held me strong. Maybe it was Rylee or the need for something better once I made it out. I’m glad I did. I want to be the one you love forever, and someone you can be proud to be mated to. We aren’t perfect, but we have the foundation for a wonderful, magical life together. There is no room for guilt or regret between us. I thought I felt love before. It was nothing like this.” She tilts her head, her eyes wet. “This is all-consuming. You make me feel butterflies when you look at me or touch me.” She looks down at our joined hands. “Your hands are strong and could cause such pain, yet I know they will hold me tenderly.” She meets my gaze. “I love you, too. I want to mate with you. I promise to treat your heart with care, and show you just as much love as you do me.”
I release her hand, grab the side of her neck, and yank her forward. As I take her mouth, I let her words sink into my soul. She has brought light and laughter into our world. I will never take it for granted. She lets me control our kiss, knowing I need it, yet she doesn’t do it just to please me, but to please each other. It’s not gentle or slow. I tighten my hand on her neck and force her to tip her head back further. I pull her deeper against my chest, banding my arm around her waist, and growl as she whimpers in need.
A throat clears, and I want to snarl at Hunter.
“The crew is leaving,” he says. “Rylee is ready to go, and she would like to say goodbye.”
“Right…yes,” Haven rasps, and licks her lips.
“I need a minute,” I grit out, as she stands.
“Oh—” She glances down, and rolls her lips.
“I’ll be in soon.”
She nods and walks away. I watch her slide her palm across Hunter’s chest as she passes him, and I enjoy the longing I see in his expression.
“Are you going to tell her?” I ask him when she disappears into the house.
“What?” he asks, turning to face me.
“That you love her.” I tilt my head.
“Yes. I have no reservations about revealing my feelings,” he says softly.
“Good, because she’s ready to complete the bond,” I say, standing.
“I know.” He grins. “Lawson came in happy as shit.”
“They had a good conversation.” I’m thrilled for him. “He’s been through enough.”
“Haven’t we all?” He walks to the entrance of the gazebo. “Vivian was a horrible example to you. She tormented you in subtle ways.”
“That is a good way to describe her,” I mumble.
“Have you moved past it completely?” he asks.
“For the most part.” I look toward the trees. “I think I’ll always have moments. Once in a while, I have dreams about her dinner parties, her wicked slap, and the basement. She’s a small woman, but her palm stung horribly.”
“I don’t like thinking about it,” he whispers, and I focus on him.
“What?” I frown.
