AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I went through training,” Lachelle told her. “And I know when I see someone who’s pretending to be what she isn’t. You were a sniveling fearful mess when the dragons fought in the street. There’s no way you trained for anything other than to lie.”
Gerard took Lachelle’s hand. He looked at her and then at everyone in the room. “Kelly was never my mate, but even if she was, I’ve made my decision. I want Lachelle. I will bond with her—today.”
Declan slapped his brother on the back. “Anything you want, my king.”
Gerard curled his nostrils in distaste, and Declan chuckled. He knew Gerard wouldn’t take back the leadership role for anything. Lachelle started to suspect that Declan had done a lot of planning and working behind the scenes to bring them to this point.
“Take her out,” Declan ordered. “We’ll turn her over to the humans. They can do what they like with her. Call everyone here. We’re going to have a bonding ceremony for my brother and his mate.”
The men took Fake Kelly out, but one of the council members spoke up. “Hold on. The real Kelly is dead. That we know now, but that doesn’t mean this woman—another human—is Gerard’s mate. Haven’t we had enough interference with their kind?”
“What did you say about my sister?” Janessa stormed over to the man, but her husband zipped in to keep her from laying hands on him. She frowned at Declan. “Move, Declan. He thinks he can accuse Lachelle of ‘interfering.’ I’m going to show him interference.”
“Steady, my love.”
Declan looked like he was even more in love with his wife at that moment than he had been previously. Lachelle rolled her eyes in amusement. She liked Janessa defending her even if she could take care of herself. Her sis’s love meant a lot.
“Lachelle’s identity as Gerard’s real mate will be proven shortly,” Declan said.
“It’ll be too late after the bonding,” the councilman insisted.
“As king,” Declan emphasized, confirming he had taken back the role from his brother, “I insist on the bonding. Besides, which of you will stop Gerard from doing what he wants?”
No one said a word.
“Gerard is the most powerful of us, hands down. Everyone knows this.”
Lachelle gazed up at her man and believed Declan. She had sensed the strength and power rolling off Gerard countless times, especially when he shape shifted. He kept his distance from others and held himself under sharp control. She loved him so much. If his wish was to be alone, then they would be “alone” as a family forever.
“No comments?” Declan asked the group. “Okay, we will move forward. Lachelle, I can have someone bring your parents if you wish. It might take a few hours because of where they’ve moved.”
Lachelle turned to Gerard and rested her palms on his chest. “No, let’s do it now. I want to bond with Gerard. Later, we can plan a wedding for my parents to attend. Right now, I just want to seal the deal and belong to Gerard as he belongs to me.”
Chapter 18
“Gerard?” Lachelle covered a yawn and rubbed her eyes. She stepped out into the night and scanned the darkness. Nothing stirred, but something told her he was there. “Are you having trouble sleeping?”
He appeared from the shadows and approached her. As he drew close, her heart pounded. Love and desire mingled, and she put her hands out without thinking about it. He captured them and raised her fingers to his lips.
“You knew I was there?” he asked.
She grinned. “Yeah, maybe I’m a shifter now.”
He gave her a doubtful look that she barely made out by moonlight. “It doesn’t work like that.”
She smacked his arm. “I know, but I can still tell when you’re close. Who knows? Maybe it’s the baby.”
“Your heart is beating too fast. You should rest.”
“I’m fine.”
He wouldn’t listen. Someone had placed pati
o furniture outside their cabin, on the tiny slip of a porch. Gerard raised her in his arms and settled on one of the chairs with her on his lap. She nestled against his chest and shut her eyes.
Images of their bonding ceremony came to mind, and she looked up at him. “We proved it.”
“Yes.” He knew what she meant.
