Page 213 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

Sawyer

When Eduard decided he wanted to make a statement, he didn’t hold anything back. Sawyer fought against the urge to fidget with the tight camel-colored vest he was wearing over a black button-down shirt and slim fitted black trousers. He looked good. So did his mates. Eduard had dressed them all in coordinating outfits, which would have been cheesy if they all hadn’t looked so damn amazing. And it was definitely a statement: they were together, all of them, and anyone who didn’t like it could fuck off.

Eduard stood in front of the four of them, his perfectly fitted black suit partnered with a white shirt, black tie, and a vest similar to Sawyer’s. Henry was in a slim-fitted suit the same light tan color with a black shirt. Andvari wore all black except for a small camel colored pocket square. He looked menacing and sexy at once. Draco had a black shirt and pants with a long camel colored jacket that reached mid thigh.

Sawyer wished Eduard weren’t so obviously nervous, especially considering the statement they were about to make. He’d been fussing over them for nearly twenty minutes. When he reached for Sawyer for the third time, Sawyer grabbed his hands. “Stop. It’s going to be okay. No matter what happens tonight. We will be okay.”

Eduard nodded. “I know. I know it’ll be okay. A couple more things. When we walk in, you stay in the center. You will be introduced first. Then you’ll make the introductions. I need you to take the lead, okay? Just be yourself, but it’s important that my father sees that you are the leader. Does that make sense?”

“It does.”

“Okay, either Andvari, Draco, or I will be with you at all times to make sure someone doesn’t try to trip you up with some sort of unspoken rule you wouldn’t be aware of. Henry, you need to stick with one of us as well. Even though you’re a mage and technically one of us, I think they’re going to be looking for slights tonight. My father especially. And the rest of the clan will follow his lead.”

Sawyer reached for Eduard’s hand and held it tight. “I’ll do my best.”

“I know you will,” Eduard said. “And…” he paused and sucked in a breath before continuing, “if they insult you, they will have to deal with me.”

“And me,” Draco promised.

“Me, too,” Andvari said.

“Me, three,” Henry added with a silly eyebrow wiggle.

Sawyer snickered and looked over at Henry with a grin. “You’re going to cause mischief tonight, aren’t you? You’re in one of those moods, I can tell.”

“Only if they mess with us. I have three brothers and two sisters and all of them are shifters. I know things. Evil, sneaky things. Salt in the sugar bowl type things. And I’m not afraid to use them.”

Eduard shook his head, but he’d stopped frowning so fiercely. “Let’s go. And Henry, stay out of trouble.”

After being driven to the other side of the property where Eduard’s father’s house was located, they exited and went inside. Sawyer had only thought Eduard’s house looked like a museum. Augustus Eastaughffe’s home was palatial. Marble statues flanked the foyer featuring griffins in their shifted form. They were led through a long hallway lined with portraits in heavy gilded frames and into another formal room where several elegantly dressed guests stood to the side sipping on cocktails.

Eduard held Sawyer’s hand tightly. They paused in the doorway and Sawyer made sure to keep his face schooled in a soft smile. It only took seconds for them to be noticed, the room growing quieter as each guest turned to face them. An older man stepped forward first, his face lined with tension. Sawyer easily recognized him as Eduard’s father.

When Augustus stopped in front of his son, he gave him the slightest nod of encouragement. “Father, I’d like to introduce you to my mates. This is Sawyer Smith.”

Sawyer stepped forward and held out his hand. Augustus shook it, but didn’t seem impressed.

“Good evening, sir. I’m pleased to meet you. May I introduce you to the rest of our family?”

Augustus flinched at the word, but Sawyer had chosen it purposefully. “That would be nice,” Augustus replied. The words were choked out, but Sawyer would take what he could get.

“This is Draco of the Volsunga clan.”

Draco stepped forward and bowed his head slightly.

“Andvari of the Passarowitz clan.” Andvari repeated the same motion as Draco, neither of them reaching for Augustus’s hand.

“And finally, Henry Jerrick of the Jerrick pack. Henry is our seer.”

Henry stepped forward and bowed his head slightly.

Sawyer waited for Augustus’s reaction. Eduard had barely taken a breath next to him.

“Welcome, Guardians,” Augustus said after a moment. “I hope you enjoy your stay here.”

Eduard squeezed Sawyer’s hand and he had to school his expression to hold back the wince of pain. He clearly wasn’t happy with his father’s welcome, especially since he’d so obviously excluded Sawyer in his welcome, but didn’t protest it either.

Sawyer chose to ignore it as well. “Thank you, sir. You have a beautiful estate.”