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Taryn’s reaction to his kiss was exactly what he was going for. He wasn’t sure why she fought him so hard on sharing a room with him, let alone spending more time together, but he also didn’t hate her for it.
In fact, he loved her for her fire and spirit. This little game she played was going to end soon enough, but he enjoyed letting her think she had the upper hand. He hated to admit it, but sometimes she absolutely did.
She was his mate. He knew that, but she didn’t. Taryn didn’t understand the pull she had on him. She would, though; he was certain of that.
Declan strolled into his private office with a smirk still plastered on his face.
“What’s got you so cheery this morning, brother?” Hanna sat in his chair, pouring over the work schedules and payroll. She hadn’t even looked up at him but obviously sensed that his mood was bright.
Declan wasn’t surprised she was there. He caught her scent the moment he entered the building.
He pulled out the seat closest to the desk and reclined leisurely in it. “You know very well what’s got my attention.”
Hanna looked up at him. “True. I can smell her all over you. But I also know you two didn’t do anything more than slobber on each other. Her scent isn't that strong.” She looked down at the ledgers.
Declan said nothing, just put his hands behind his head and kept smiling at his irritating sister.
“Okay, I think I have all this lined up and good to go. Now, for the other matters to discuss.” She pushed the papers away and grabbed a notepad. Declan sat forward, leaning on his knees, ready for the day’s issues.
“Okay, so one person, Clark, called in because his mate, Sheila, slashed his tires … again.” The siblings smirked at each other, knowing the history there all too well. “So, he won’t be able to make it in until a little later.”
“If Clark could just refrain from being a massive flirt, then maybe Sheila wouldn’t be such a paranoid mate.”
“Right? Okay, next is Marcus. He and his mate just welcomed their first baby. I gave him the month off, with it being their first and all. He said if you need him sooner, though, just howl.”
“Sounds good to me. Girl or boy?” Declan asked.
“I didn’t ask. But I did send a care package over for mother and baby once we got the news.”
“Good, good. Thank you for doing that.”
Hanna laid down the notepad and folded her hands on the desk. Declan knew what was coming. He sat back again in the chair and waited for her little lecture.
“You know, these are things that the future queen should be doing instead of me. Not working at an apothecary.”
“Ah, but then you’d miss the gossip of the palace too much. You know you love it.”
Hanna’s face remained devoid of emotion, though she did raise her left eyebrow slightly.
Declan huffed and stood. “If you want to keep having this discussion, then fine. Taryn is free to do as she wants. Just like our mother did. Running an apothecary makes her happy, and all I want is for her to be happy. Plus, we needed one anyway, and she’s good at what she does. Need I remind you that Mother ran this winery while she was queen? It was her pride and joy.”
“Yes, but she did thisas well asher royal duties.”
“True. And so will Taryn, but she’s not queen yet, and she’s still getting acclimated. She will start training once we officially announce our engagement. Okay?”
“No, not okay.” Hanna rose and came to the front of the desk, right in Declan’s space. She leaned against it, folding her arms.
Declan didn’t like arguing with his sister. But she had made it such a habit, especially since Taryn moved into the palace. He knew where this conversation was heading … again.
“It’s bad enough that this kingdom is going to have a queen that can’t shift. That has never happened in our entire history. Not only that, it goes against tradition. What will everyone think? What if no one wants to follow her or starts to question your judgment because of it?”
“Hanna, none of that matters. You know that. No one will question anything, and if they do, let them.”
Now Hanna raised both brows, and an expression of angry shock crossed her face. “How could you say that? This is our reign we are talking about.”
Declan forced himself to remain calm. “It’smyreign, dear sister. And besides. There was a mating contract in place long ago, and I am going to honor it. There’s a great benefit to having Taryn as my mate. Not just that, but sheismy fated mate. You need to accept that, and I hope to the higher power that you don’t talk to her this way and treat her with such disdain.” Declan’s voice hardened as he finished his speech.
A slight growl rumbled beneath his words, and it was a clear threat. A threat from his wolf’s aura, threatening his sister into submission.
