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“Lass,” he said in a deep, rough voice that told me he was trying to hide his emotions. “I may no’ like the fact that ye’re with him, but I know if I took ye away from yer mate, it would cause nothing but pain for ye.” He cleared his throat before continuing. “And that, my wee darlin’, I will no’ do tae ye.”
I didn’t hold in my smile, not even when I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end because I was being watched. I looked up and behind me to see Luca standing in the entryway, his big body leaned against the frame, his muscles tight.
I didn’t know how long he’d been standing there, what all he’d heard, but it didn’t matter. It had been so long—an eternity, it felt like—since I felt any semblance of relief that all I wanted to do right now was soak it in… with my mate.
Only a few more minutes passed of me and my father talking before I finally disconnected the call, making plans for tomorrow to go to my family estate and let them officially meet Luca. I didn’t know how things would go, if the triplets would control themselves, or if more strife and animosity would ensue, but this was the only option we had. Running from the problem wasn’t going to solve it, and I wasn’t going to hide away with Luca.
Luca held out his hand, and I set the phone down on the couch before rising, going to my mate instantly. I slipped my much smaller palm against his, felt his fingers curl around mine, and warmth immediately filled me.
I knew nothing would ever feel as good as being with Luca, and that’s why I was willing to do anything to make our lives happy, to make my family see there was nothing they could do that could stop us from being together.
This was a time of celebration, of two mates finding each other against all odds. My family would see that. They would understand that. And they would accept it.
Because I wouldn’t have it any other way.
28
Luca
I didn’t let go of my mate’s hand until we were standing in the middle of the woods. The estate was only a few minutes from where we were, dinner staying warm in the oven, and a bottle of wine uncorked and airing out.
Those could wait, because there was something far more important I wanted to do with my Ainslee.
I turned and faced her, cupping her cheeks in my hands, reveling once again how soft her skin was.
She smiled sweetly, and said, “What are we doing out here?” Ainslee took a step closer and rested her head on my chest. I cupped the back of her head at the same time I felt her hands slide around and grip the back of my shirt.
Heaven. This was what heaven would feel like if I died right now.
I knew she wasn’t able to shift, knew she wasn’t wholly vampiric either. And although my inner beast wanted to run wild with our little Lycan mate, he was also content to be her protector.
“I want you to see my wolf,” I said and gently pulled her away. She tipped her chin up and looked me in the eyes.
“But I did see him.” Her cheeks reddened at that, and I nearly groaned, remembering the moment she referred to… when I’d first claimed her.
I wanted to claim her once again, the wilderness calling my very beast out. I stared into her eyes, getting lost in them, but then blinked back into reality. That’s not why I’d brought her out here.
“I want to show you my wolf again, this time at both of your leisure.” It wasn’t just that I wanted her to see my animal, but that he wanted our mate to truly see him for the first time.
He wanted to feel her touch, to have her fingers stroking through his fur. My wolf wanted to scent his mate, to howl at the moon, to revel in the fact that fate had finally given us our other half.
I heard the sound of her pulse pick up, scented her anticipation. My little Ainslee was excited at seeing her animal protector, which in turn pleased me to no end.
She nodded slowly and whispered, “Okay. I want to see him too.” I felt my animal push up against me in pleasure at hearing her say those words. He was trying to tear free already.
I took several steps back, keeping him at bay for the time being. This was only the second time in centuries that I’d willfully let my animal out. The first time had been when I claimed my mate. This time would be when he grew familiar with our little hybrid.
I let the change come over me, lowered my head, and closed my eyes. I flexed my hands at my sides and felt the power surge through my veins. Colors popped; sounds rang through my ears. Lights flashed in front of my closed lids.
