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And when the door opened and a female cleared her throat, I quickly stood, feeling like a child who had just gotten caught eating dessert before dinner.
The woman on the other side was very clearly Ainslee’s mother. The resemblance was uncanny. Her long hair was light and flowed over her shoulders, and her big blue eyes were looking at her daughter with motherly love. She held out her arms, and without saying anything, Ainslee fell into them.
I stood there and watched the interaction, scenting the love and affection between them, hating that I caused any kind of strife between my mate and her family.
It was long moments after Ainslee pulled away that I realized her mother was looking right at me. She eyed me up and down in a scrutinizing manner, the kind a parent gave a prospective suitor.
“Wow. You’re a big wolf, aren’t you?”
I cleared my throat, and for the first time in my very long life, I felt… shy under her appraisal.
“So you’re the wolf who took my little girl and hid her away.” She didn’t phrase it like a question, and I didn’t bother responding.
I just straightened and inclined my head. We both knew what she stated was the truth. What she didn’t know, or maybe she did, was that I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat if the end result was the same and Ainslee was in my arms.
She was silent for several more seconds before a small smile spread across her lips. “She told me how well you treat her.”
I felt my chest puff up in pride, and I nodded, unable to help myself as I wrapped my hand around my mate’s waist and pulled her close to my side, feeling protective of her even now.
“I thank you for watching over her and keeping her safe. She’s precious to us.”
“As she is to me,” I finally spoke, wanting her mother to know how much I treasured Ainslee.
Her smile widened. “Good. Exactly what I want to hear.” She clapped her hands together and looked between the two of us. “I have a feeling it would take a hell of a lot to pry you away from my daughter’s side, isn’t that right?”
I grunted in agreement and heard Ainslee chuckle beside me, then her mother did the same.
“I like you, Luca. I think you’ll fit right in with a houseful of overbearing, stubborn, alpha Lycans.” She stepped aside and swept her arm out. “Well, come in you two.” She looked pointedly at me. “This is now your home as well, Luca.”
I felt something stir in my chest, a familiar sensation I’d only ever felt between Ren and our family. This female was opening her doors to me, welcoming me with open arms despite worrying her because I’d taken her daughter away. Yet she was still letting me know that no matter what, I was part of this family.
I kept Ainslee close to me, this fear inside me that they’d try to take her away again, something I’d probably never get over. But she kept her hand wrapped tightly around mine, giving me a reassuring squeeze, as if she knew the anxiousness and worry I felt.
Her mother kept glancing back a few times, a small, almost secretive smile on her face, her fangs flashing every so often. And then we were being ushered into a large great room, one housing a massive hearth and one whole wall that featured floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.
There was an ornate, ancient-looking desk situated in the library, but my focus was now on the three males standing ten feet from us. My entire body tensed as I stared at Banner and his sons.
Banner had a severe scowl on his face as he narrowed his eyes on me. I felt his hatred of me, but he’d have to fucking deal with it, because nothing and no one would keep me from my Ainslee.
And then there were the two pups. I knew from my research of my mate before traveling to Scotland, and from seeing them at Ren’s mating ceremony, that there were three of them—triplets. And they were spitting images of their father, right down to the scowl they threw my way.
My hand tightened around Ainslee’s waist, and she glanced up at me. “It’s okay,” she whispered and rose up on her toes to give me a kiss on the cheek.
I felt warmth and calmness immediately spear through me, all from her touch. And then I returned my attention to Banner, who, after a few seconds of staring me down, looked at Ainslee.
His expression completely changed, softening to a point I wouldn’t have believed he was capable of having gentle emotions such as the ones he was displaying for his daughter if I hadn’t witnessed it firsthand.
“Lass, come here and give yer Da a hug so I know this is real.”
