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His wolf trying to claw its way out made it worse.
Declan found his bride in the main greeting hall giving staff instructions for the anniversary party and inspecting decorations, and his pulse fluttered erratically as he saw how beautiful she looked.
“There you are,” she said. “You look handsome.” She brushed at invisible lint on the front of his suit.
“I am just not myself when we’re away from each other, especially right now,” he answered. “I don’t know how you do it. All this work, the delegating, getting things done, and you still look lovely as the morning.”
She grinned at him shyly. “You really know what a girl needs to hear.”
“I think you’ve ruined me,” he answered back. “You really wrecked me.”
“I have done no such thing,” she sassed. “Explain yourself. What do you mean by what you just said?”
“I am good for about three or four minutes, okay,” he answered her. “But if I am away from you any longer than that, I feel like I’m never going to see you again.”
Taryn laughed and cupped his cheek with her hand. “So your threshold is three or four minutes? Any longer absence makes you think you’ll never see me again? Baby, I’ll always be here.”
“I hope so,” he laughed to hide his worry. They just had to get through the evening, then he could get back to finding the stalker.
“You don’t have to worry, darling. Soon you’ll see that I’m never going to leave you.”
“I know, my sweet betrothed,” he told her.
“We are going to the gate now,” she informed him. “Hanna will be here. She’s bringing things, and she’ll have questions. I am afraid I have developed a deep kinship with your sister. She’s been very good to me, Declan.”
“She’s always been good at that,” he told her.
They made it down to the palace entrance and greeted Hanna. Five minutes later, Addison and Madison arrived.
“Lexi will probably get here at the last minute,” Taryn told Declan.
“I would not anticipate anything earlier. I love that girl, but she’d be late for her own funeral.”
“This’ll be good for you,” Taryn said to him.
“What?” he asked. “Good that Hanna, Addison, and Madison all showed up at the same time? How’s that?”
“You get a little reprieve,” she said. “You can break away from being at my side a little, ease up, check on William or your enforcers, take a pee, have a moment somewhere quiet. All of that. Can’t get any safer than with Hanna at my side. I know the twins don’t shift yet, but those two are scary when you light their fuse.”
“You speak exactly what my mind thinks so often that it scares the crap out of me.”
“I love you too, boo,” as she hugged him.
What Taryn suggested ended up being what happened. He had to leave her side a couple of times, but only when she was with Hanna. He left Taryn’s side again when she was with Lexi and the twins. She’d been safe when he returned, but he had not liked being away. Not one second away from Taryn’s side felt safe or responsible.
He’d finally gotten enough security checks done that he felt reasonably sure he would not be leaving Taryn’s side for a while. This timing was perfect because Phillip’s parents and many other guests had just arrived.
It was time to mingle as a couple.
They first greeted Phillip’s parents, Lord and Lady Cooper. Two beautiful shifters who had always been close to the royal family.
“My lady,” Declan said. He gently took Lady Cooper’s hand and kissed it. “You look lovely, and I am so honored you are celebrating here tonight,” he added.
“My lady,” Taryn said. Then she knelt ever-so-slightly and curtsied. “I thank you for coming. You inspire me so much.”
“My lord,” Declan told Lord Cooper. “Your strong, focused presence here tonight in my home is a real privilege. Thank you for coming.” They shook hands, and their wolves greeted one another sternly when their eyes met.
“My lord,” Taryn told Lord Cooper, and he gently kissed Taryn’s hand.
