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Lysander placed a hand over his wife's flat belly. I would love to see this round with my child.
Her toes curled. Oh, Lys. And this time, she couldn't care what anyone else thought. She just had to throw her arms around his neck because she was so, so happy. I love you.
Lysander pressed a kiss to the top of her head. Thank you.
It wasn't what she wanted to hear, but neither did the words make her sad. Lysander had chosen her to be his wife, and that had to mean something. She just had to be patient. One day, he would love her back.
THE ALLARDS' ESTATE in Coral Springs was over two centuries old, a small but handsome manor surrounded by red maples and hornbeams and with private access to a small, sparkling lake at the back. Day or night, the home made an undeniably charming picture, but just as undeniable was how inadequate the place was to serve as the official seat of the Fae's ruling family.
One look was enough for Lysander to know that countless repairs had yet to be done, and the property was practically falling apart. A snarl of rage tore past his fangs, and Estrella turned to him in surprise. Lysander?
He had jumped out of the van upon his first sight of the property and landed on all fours, having shifted mid-leap. After asking Estrella to climb on his back and hold on, he tore off, his limbs devouring the distance in breaknecking speed until they found themselves atop a small hill, and the full expanse of the estate spread out below them.
Estrella could feel her husband's displeasure growing by the second. Lysander? What's wrong?
This place isn't fit for a woman like you. Lysander's bitter tone reflected his inner turmoil. In the past few days, the twins had helped bring him up to speed about the strange new world they now lived in. And it was new, despite looking no different on the surface.
Like Estrella had once told him, preters were now a celebrity obsession, and even the fact that Lysander was more beast than Fae now wasn't enough to terrify humans into keeping their distance. Preters of all kinds fascinated them, and media coverage that showed Lysander in beast form coming to Estrella's rescue had actually resulted into a 5,000 percent spike on Google searches for "dino porn". Even the self-published author of Bigfoot erotica books had credited Lysander for the huge and sudden jump in her book sales.
The whole thing was absurd, but even so, he might've found the humor in it...if not for the periodic mention of Domenico Moretti in the very same reports. Pampered baby sister. Privileged existence. Never worked a day in her life. That was who Estrella had been with Domenico.
But the moment she had worn his ring on her finger, she had to publicly distance herself from her pack, move into an old, rundown manor and inherit a mountain of problems that Lysander's disappearance had left behind.
So fuck no, it just wasn't a matter of this place not being fit for her. He himself wasn't fit for her—-
Lysander? A warm rush of concern flowed into him with her thoughts. What's wrong?
Everything was wrong. This whole marriage was wrong. But he knew that was only his pride speaking. Instead, he focused on something more pragmatic. I left money for you. Did you not get it?
Estrella swallowed hard, realizing the time had come for her to confess. I did.
Lysander's gaze narrowed at the way his mate's voice had all of a sudden become small and subdued, almost scared even. Have you been hiding something from me?
Not deliberately, but... Estrella shifted in her feet as she tried to think of the best way to break the truth to Lysander. I know you had plans for the money. The twins told me how it was supposed to take care for all my needs, and at first, I truly did intend to follow your instructions to the letter.
But?
Her mouth opened and closed. The words just wouldn't get out, and she stared up at him pleadingly. A moment later, she heard him sigh in her mind, and she almost expired in relief. It was just like the old days, and whenever Lysander found out she was in trouble, he would simply be exasperated in the end but never furious or, worse, disappointed.
Go on, tell me the lot of it, my Star.
His dry tone made her relax, and this time she found it easy to speak. "When the twins first introduced me to the people as your wife, I was able to talk to some of them, and that's when I learned that the money you gave me could be used for something else."
Something more important than putting your home to right?
Estrella found herself lifting her chin even though she still couldn't quite meet his gaze. "Remember what you wrote? You told me to keep your kingdom safe for me." And because she was looking elsewhere, she completely missed the way Lysander stiffened and how the twins, having finally caught up with them, had turned white at her words.
