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Contentment radiated through me. Our bond wasn’t fully open yet. I’d told myself it would take time. But if Evie had felt that…
“I’m sorry,” she said.
I scowled down at her. “What for?”
“Whatever I’m doing wrong. You seem to be able to feel my emotions, but I usually can’t feel yours.”
“It takes time.”
“It didn’t for you.”
I just squeezed her hand. “We’ll figure it out.”
Frustration came from her end of the bond. That was clear. I knew my mate well enough to know she was disappointed in herself. That she was beating herself up. And that was unacceptable.
“Hey.” I caught her chin in my hand and waited until she met my eyes. “I never dared to even imagine that I could have you. That you’d be my mate. That I’d be this happy. The bond will sort itself out. Or it won’t. Either way, you’re mine, and I’m yours.”
She took a deep breath. “Okay.”
I couldn’t resist lowering my head and taking her mouth. She immediately responded, curling her body into mine.
Her hand pushed at my chest, and I smiled against her lips. I knew what she’d say now.
“Why exactly were you feeling guilty, mister?”
“I almost killed you the other day.”
“Oh please. Did you forget the part where my ward met your face?” She smirked. “’Cause that was pretty funny.”
I nipped at her ear, and she burst out laughing. Within a moment, she’d sobered. Standing on tiptoe, she twined her arms around my neck. “I talked to Finvarra about the book,” she said, and I barely suppressed a snarl. Her lips curved. “He told me all about his ancestor—the one who fell to the book. Apparently, the reason he was able to go so cray-cray for so long was because his queen didn’t love him. She didn’t fight for him.”
My heart twisted at that. But Evie’s hand was cupping my face. “So instead of beating yourself up because the book struck when you wereimpaled by a goddamned metal bolt, maybe you should be appreciating that you have Hunter, who knows you so well, he immediately knew something was wrong. That you have Kyla, who got the book to Finvarra. And, of course, that you have such a smart, powerful mate who managed to kick the book’s ass,” she preened.
I leaned my head back and laughed. No one amused me the way this woman did. My life was gray before I met her, and when Evie waltzed into my house that day, it was suddenly full of color.
“Well, my smart, powerful,beautifulmate, let’s go figure out what your uncle left behind.”
Evie slid her hand back down to mine and led me into her office. My wolf finally rested, content to follow our mate. I smiled. I was arguably the most powerful Alpha in this country, and I would trail after this woman like a puppy.
Amusement curled in my chest. But it died away as I felt Evie’s worry for Eachann. I hadn’t particularly liked the unseelie—although now, part of me wondered how much of that was the book—but I’d do whatever it took to make sure she got her uncle back alive and well.
“Can you scent where he would’ve hidden whatever he left for me?” Evie asked.
Stepping close to the desk, I inhaled, catching his scent. “He sat here for a few minutes. But I also have him on that sofa and in almost every inch of this office.”
She closed her eyes. “He’s been here multiple times.”
“Let’s check all the drawers first.”
We found it in the bottom drawer, beneath a stack of unopened mail. I raised my eyebrow, and Evie scowled at me. It was obvious she’d cleared her desk by opening a drawer and dumping the mail into it.
“Not all of us have multiple pack members they can delegate to.” Her chin jutted out, and I couldn’t help but grin.
“Those pack members are yours, too. Why don’t you take one of the older kids on as an intern?”
Those pillowy lips pursed, and my mind immediately cast me back to the last time we were at this desk. I forced myself to focus.
“Not a bad idea. Let’s talk about it after we take out HFE.” She opened the envelope Eachann had left for her.
