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She gave my hand one more reassuring squeeze before heading toward her father. It was hard letting her go, even those few short feet. Every instinct in me demanded I keep her close.
Banner embraced her, and I could practically see the strain he’d been carrying in his broad shoulders lessening. I could relate. Ainslee eased the tension in me as if she was magic itself.
He started murmuring soft words to her, ones I couldn’t understand because he spoke Gaelic, but I could tell they were endearments. No doubt he saw me as some big bad wolf who meant to devour his daughter.
She gave him one more tight hug before stepping back and embracing her brothers, each of them saying things low enough for only her to hear. And then she came back to my side as if she knew I was lost without her near.
The scent of her happiness at being home and seeing her family had me feeling good. Because her pleasure was mine in return. She glanced around the room before asking, “Where’s Caelan?” She looked around, and for a minute, panic seized me that I’d hurt him far worse than I assumed.
Of course, I wasn’t worried about the bastard being hurt. He had attacked me and deserved everything he’d gotten. My worry was because injuring her brother would certainly pain my Ainslee, and that was the last thing I wanted.
The twins started shuffling on their feet before rubbing a hand on the back of their necks as if they were suddenly uncomfortable. Her father crossed his beefy arms over his chest and kept glaring at me. And then her mother cleared her throat, breaking the silence.
“Yeah, there’s been a situation with your brother finding his mate.” She waved off the clear worry in my mate’s face. “Don’t worry yourself. He’ll get his head out of his ass and come home.”
“Have Uncle Adryan track him,” one of the brothers said, and a low growl left Banner.
“After what that bastard did going tae Ainslee without me knowing? After he put her at risk?” He shook his head, his eyes flashing from his wolf. “And the arsehole didn’t even tell us himself after the fact? I had tae learn all of it from my wee lass.” His jaw clenched. “Fook no. He’d bullock things up even more. Not only is he now on my shite list and owes recompense tae the clan, but he isn’t in Scotland any longer. He headed back tae the States hours ago, and I’m thankful for that. He’s lucky he’s gone, or I’d kick his arse—”
“Banner,” his mate hissed, and he scowled at the ground but stayed silent. “That’s not why Ainslee and her mate came by today, and we aren’t going to get into that. And before you open your mouth about Caelan, we aren’t going to talk about him right now either. He's a big boy, and he’ll come around in due time. He’s probably chasing his mate because she outsmarted him.”
The twins started chuckling and murmured in agreement. Banner just grunted.
“We’re here because things need to be settled and cleared, and everyone is going to be in agreement.” Her voice brooked no argument. “What’s done is done, and we are all happy for the situation, aren’t we.” Luna didn’t phrase it like a question. She crossed her arms over her chest, and I could see her jaw clenched as she stared at Banner and her sons.
It was clear they were hesitant to bow down, and so I kept Ainslee close, everything inside me saying if I had to bolt with her, I’d do it in an instant.
But after a few seconds, I saw Banner relax even more and give a curt nod. “There will be no more fighting between the MacCallan Lycan clan and the Lupineovs. We accept and approve the mating between Ainslee and Luca.”
I narrowed my eyes at Banner, wanting to tell him I didn’t need his fucking approval, but I kept my mouth shut, held my mate close, and inclined my head.
For my mate, I’d agree to anything, even if that was giving her father this faux idea that without his blessing, there would be no mating.
“Boys?” Luna prompted in a low tone, and after a second, the two of them murmured their agreement on the peace between everyone. Luna clapped happily, and I slowly felt the tension start to leave the room. “I had a grand meal prepared in celebration of the mating and two Lycan clans coming together as a family.” Luna came up to Ainslee and pulled her in close. “Come on, sweetheart, let’s go raid the cellar for a good vintage wine. I want to hear all about the home your mate bought for you, and I want to hear about your first time shifting.” Luna glanced up at me and smiled, her fangs flashing again. “I want to know everything, especially how good your mate was to you during this whole ordeal.” I could see the thankfulness in her eyes at that, but I hadn’t done it for anyone but my Ainslee. And I’d do it all over again.
