He stared at me, unblinking. Intense. His dark eyes filled with tears, as if being loved caused him pain. His voice, when he spoke, was a whisper.
“Say it again.”
Epilogue
Velik, Two Weeks Later
* * *
My mate, my everything, walked through the hall of my family home with a soft smile on her face. I’d never seen her like this before. A traditional Atlan gown drifted down over her soft curves. She’d chosen to wear a dark, rich burgundy, the color of my favorite Atlan wine.
Her skin glowed. The mating cuffs we both wore were special. My grandparents had a wonderful life together. A deep, loving bond. This had been their home.
Now it as hers. If she approved.
If not? There were a dozen other places, equally beautiful, that I would acquire for her. Anything she wanted, I would provide. Anything. I could do nothing less. Her tears crushed me. Her joy made my heart sing. Her happiness was mine.
Being obsessed with one’s mate had consequences. A warlord’s happiness never again belonged to him alone.
The beast scoffed at my stupidity. Of course we would take care of her in all ways.
Mate. Mine.
I got it. She’s mine, too, you know?
Not tonight. The beast thrust imagines into my mind, memories of our mate with her back to the wall, arms locked over her head, screaming with pleasure as he fucked her.
All right, beast. She likes you, too.
Love. Loves me.
Yes.
We both settled, content at the thought. Our mate loved us. Both of us. She told us every day, multiple times. And especially when we had our mouth on her wet pussy, or our cock deep in—
“Velik? What about the girls? Will they be accepted here? They’re half human. I know they aren’t going to any kind school yet, but I want them to be happy here as well.”
I walked to where she stood, staring out a floor to ceiling window that overlooked my grandmother’s favorite flower garden. I had spent many happy years there as a boy. “They will be admired, mate. They are the daughters of a warlord returned from the war. Not many of us return. Those that do are rewarded with vast wealth and places of honor in the government or military sectors. Every father wants his daughter to mate a warlord. We are quite popular.”
I wrapped my arms around her from behind and pulled her back to rest against my chest. She melted into my arms, as she always did. That acceptance a gift, the value of which she would never comprehend.
“I love this house. It’s peaceful. The gardens are gorgeous. I want a fresh start for us, Velik. I don’t want to think about the past. I want us to be focused on the future.”
“And your mother lives in this city with Warlord Maxus. You would be able to visit her often. Our daughters would know both of their grandmothers.” My own mother, several aunts, uncles, cousins and other family members were scattered around the continent as well. But this estate was special to me.
This was a house that had always been full of love. I could feel it in the stones and the light that shone in through the windows. I hoped Stefani would feel it as well.
“Terra and Alena will race down the hallways, laughing. They will play in the garden. They will be safe and loved here. They will be happy.” I turned her around to face me and leaned down to kiss her. “You, my mate, will be loved here. You will be happy. I vow it.”
“Okay.”
That word always surprised me. Acceptance, agreement, trust. All wrapped up in one response from my female.
“And in the future, if we want more children, there is more than enough room.”
“In the future?”
“Of course. I love you, Stefani. I love Terra and Alena. I am content. But if you wanted more children, I would say, okay.”
