Page 151 of Enchanted

None of them knew that mate was me.

Sam was still hugging me. He was very particular about who he touched and vice versa, but this had been our normal for months now. “And if anyone is mean, I’ll have Zeke smite them.”

That had me laughing. “Now that’d be guaranteed to start another war between the demons and angels. Plus a vampire, I guess. And isn’t Danny a wolf shifter?”

“I think so.” Sam finally released me, then poured a glass of wine and pushed it over to me. “We’ve got the whole collection today.”

“Not from what I’ve heard,” I said. “Did you know there are dragon shifters too? And bears. Apparently Dagon insists he met a kraken once.”

Sam went to respond, but the door to the kitchen opened, Ezekiel’s head poking in. He and Sam were the only ones who’d remained to support me and Rami. “They’re almost here, Ethan.”

I nodded, tension knotting in my stomach again. Almost immediately, I felt Rami’s soothing presence thrum in response.

My mate had been the one to set this all up. It’d taken until last month for me to feel ready for this reunion. Enough time for me to adjust to all the changes my life had seen and survive the fresh chaos that had ripped through the Seraphim, but not long enough to talk myself out of it.

Rami had gone down to the gate to lift the wards for them to enter. He’d suggested I go with him, but that’d felt too much. Let them get settled first with a drink, then we’d drop the bombshell.

Sam smiled sympathetically. “Come out when you’re ready.”

I nodded before retreating to the cosy room. Over the past year and a half, I’d helped Sam make it even comfier. The whole thing had needed to be extended to accommodate the other humans who’d joined our little group. Now, Sam was far from alone when danger called.

As I closed the door behind me, part of me wished the others could be here today. Like everyone else, they’d become family, even if they hadn’t all been here that long.

Next time, I told myself.

Assuming Matty, Riley, and Lucky would want to see me again.

I took several deep breaths, waiting for Rami. I wasn’t going out there without him. There was no way.

Thankfully, I didn’t need to wait long. The bond tugged, telling me he was close. A second later, his deep voice rumbled through the door. “Open up, baby. It’s just me.”

I sprang up and typed the code into the small pad by the door. Only the humans knew the code—something the Seraphim had insisted on. Not because they thought they couldn’t be trusted, but just in case someone used one of them to try and force the door open.

Honestly, I couldn’t see how that would even be possible, but I’d learned long ago that arguing about anything seen as relating to our safety as mates was pointless.

“Hi,” I said, finally breathing easier at the sight of Rami’s face. “All good?”

“Yes.” He tugged me into his chest and rubbed my back the way I liked, holding me tight. “How are you doing?”

“Nervous,” I murmured. “What if this isn’t the right thing to do?”

“If you’re not ready, I can make them all leave,” Rami said. “But if that happens, I think you’ll regret it.”

“You’re right.” I blew out a long breath before smiling weakly at my mate. “Time to rip the plaster off.”

“I’m so proud of you, baby,” Rami said, kissing me. “And when this is all done, I’ll show you just how proud I am with my mouth.”

I whimpered, reaching down to adjust myself. Eighteen months together, and this insatiable need for him hadn’t lessened at all. If anything, it had grown. “Why would you say that right before we go out there?”

“To distract you.” He took my hand and led me through the house. “And give you an incentive to get through this.”

I smirked. “Are you saying you won’t give me a blow job if I can’t get through this?”

Rami grumbled. “You know you’ll be getting one regardless.”

I fell silent as we entered the kitchen. The humans in the garden wouldn’t be able to hear me if I spoke now, but the supes would. My heart beat faster as we approached the back door. I could hear a low level of chatter, and I clutched Rami’s hand tighter.

Those were my friends out there. Friends I hadn’t seen in years because I’d let myself get caught up in a relationship. Friends who’d lived full and happy lives without me.