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She buried her face in his chest and tried to calm down, but it did no good. Shaking took hold, and the sobs refused to stop. Sebastian squeezed her tighter and stroked her hair. He whispered sweet words of comfort that broke her heart all the more.
After a long while, she was able to lift her head and wipe her face. “I’m not pretending to feel okay about you and your people, but it’s not right. It’s no more right to kill shifters than it is to kill humans.”
“Shh, baby, I told you he’s not going to hurt anyone. He wants to be alpha and lead them.”
“I know, but I wanted to make it plain. I see some of you like Belle and Katie. I can’t believe they deserve anything other than to live their lives. Sebastian, tell me he lied about there being hunters. They don’t exist, do they?”
“Unfortunately, they do.”
“Couldn’t you have lied to me? So, it’s serious. I have to be protected. Someone could try to use me to get to you?”
He grinned as if to say he’d been saying it all along, and she just got it. “Yes.”
“All right. Let’s do it. Give me my Guard. Maybe even Ava if you’re sure she won’t sabotage me. I mean if she kills me that means you’re mateless and free to marry anyone you choose, right?”
His countenance fell. “No, normally we stay alone if we lose our mate. Our life from then on is one of sadness and pain.”
“But Belle said her mate was killed.”
He nodded but said no more, and she thought about the woman. If anyone was unhappy it was her. She had elected to remarry, but it hadn’t done a thing for her disposition. Sophia wondered if there was any way to help her.
“Come on then.” Sebastian climbed out of bed and held his hand toward her. “We’ll call everyone together right now and choose your Guard.”
She gave him her hand, and his gaze slipped down over her form.
“We’re not dressed,” she said.
“I figured we’d shower together first.”
She rolled her eyes. “So you’re talking this afternoon for the meeting?”
He chuckled. “Okay, yes, after I’ve sated my desires with your body.”
“You’ve forgotten how you wore me out last night. I’m sore as hell. I don’t know what cosmic whatever made me your mate, but it should have known I couldn’t keep up with your desires .”
“Don’t worry. I have a few secrets to share with you. You will be able to please me, and I’ll satisfy you as well.”
“Something tells me you’re talking about sexual secrets and not shifter ones.”
“Come and see.”
“That’s an interesting comb,” Ava commented.
Sophia glanced over at her in surprise and then focused again on the vintage bridal hair comb with pearl and diamond accents. “Yes, Sebastian loves when I wear it. I think it’s just that he likes when I put my hair up and he can get to my neck.”
Ava frowned. Sophia had forgotten they weren’t friends. They were trying though, and her new Guard was doing a bang up job so far. Sophia could actually leave the house without Sebastian’s escort. She already felt freer, which was crazy considering she had three women around her at all times.
She tucked her favorite hair ornament into place and patted her hair. As usual, she looked at it feeling both sadness and comfort. “My dad gave me this comb on his deathbed. He said it belonged to my grandmother. I guess you could call it a family heirloom. I don’t wear it because it reminds me of him. I wear it because it reminds me of him.”
Ava, who sported a dark pants suit and looked amazing in it, pushed off the wall to approach her. “I can understand treasuring family.”
Sophia stood. She was ready and couldn’t think of any other reason to delay. “I’m seeing that now. You guys are all close. It’s amazing really, and I get why a lot of you are concerned about me. Hopefully, tonight will change everything. I’ll gain everyone’s confidence.”
Ava rolled here eyes. “Doubtful. You say whatever pops into your head, and you don’t respect Sebastian enough.”
Sophia laughed and didn’t take offense. “Says the woman who does the same—I mean except for the respect part ’cause you got the scraping and bowing down.”
Her Guard bristled with indignation, which amused Sophia because they both knew it was true. With no nonsense Ava approached the door and opened it. She stepped into the hall and waited for Sophia. The other two women leaned against the wall while they waited, but when Sophia appeared, they snapped to attention.
