“Let’s not overwhelm her more than she already is,” Callon said.Like the look in his eyes, his voice seemed to hold some sort of censure.
She pushed away the doubt and focused on trying to pull her crap together.“I don’t usually just randomly break down in tears,” Lola said as she wiped at her face with her free hand.Callon's thumb stroked ever so gently against the side of her cheek before he pressed his lips firmly to her forehead.Like a million volts of electricity surged through her veins, Lola felt the heat of his kiss radiating down her face, neck and shoulders, until even the tips of her toes tingled with pleasure.She placed her hand on his shoulder and pushed.He backed away, only because he allowed it.There was no way she could actually move him.“You’re not helping.”He started to raise his hand and she smacked it.“Do not tap my nose.”
Lyra laughed, as she gave her hand one more squeeze and then released her.“I’m sorry if I made things intense.That wasn’t my intention.”
Lola turned to face Lyra.“No, it’s– you didn’t do anything.I think things are just sort of sinking in.Instead of a slow descent, it sort of plummeted into my brain and hit my emotional center at the same time.I’m pretty sure that makes no sense at all.”She made a dismissive motion and sighed.“I tend to ramble when–”
“All the time,” Callon interrupted.
Lola shot him a glare.“I’m nervous,” she finished her sentence.He winked at her and she felt a little irritated with herself that it made her want to smile.
“Well,” Taras spoke for the first time since before Lola’s little epiphany— Well, big epiphany.“Why don’t you let Callon take you to our home and show you around?You two can spend some time getting to know one another and hopefully that will put you more at ease.”
“Thank you,” Lola said, meeting his gaze.
“Lola,” Taras’ voice suddenly became stern.“We won’t force you to be a part of this world, or Callon’s life.I need you to understand that.”
“Father,” Callon hissed from beside her causing her to jump.
She turned and looked at him.Once again his animal features were prominent, but this time it was nearly as complete as his father’s had been.Lola glanced back at Taras and realized his features were back to human.
“I am your Prime, Callon,” Taras said, his voice a deep rumble.“Mate or not, I will not hold her against her will.”
Lola sensed something more profound, than whether or not she would stay with Callon, was happening.She looked from Taras, whose chin lifted as he narrowed his eyes at his son, to Lyra, her lips pressed in a thin line, and her brow furrowed.Note to self, do not attempt to go toe-to-toe with the Queen of Claws.She looked like the fierce lioness she no doubt was.Then Lola looked at Callon.His face was an emotionless mask, but the tightened muscles in his jaw revealed the violent storm raging inside him.The air around them thickened, Lola feared that any second it would shatter, and all hell would break loose.He obviously did not appreciate his father telling him that she wouldn’t be forced to be with him.She didn’t really think that Callon would keep her against her will.
Suddenly his eyes snapped to her.“Don’t be so sure.”His words were a little difficult to understand as the incisors grew longer in his mouth.
“Did I seriously say that out loud?”she sighed and rolled her eyes.She wasn’t about to acknowledge the veiled threat.She wasn’t afraid of Callon, no matter what he said.He wouldn’t hurt her.She could feel it in her bones.So, she’d been wrong about kidnapping her.Can’t be right about everything,she told herself.
“I won’t hurt you,” he said, his voice tight.“As for the other, we will cross that bridge if we come to it.”
“Callon,” Lyra snapped, her voice like a whip against the stone floor.
Okay, she needed to get him out of here.He obviously wasn’t backing down, and neither were his parents.Sometimes the best thing to do was step away from the argument and cool off.“Callon,” she said as she reached for his hand.He grasped onto it and pulled her tightly to him.She could practically feel the deadly vibes radiating off of him.“Why don’t you take me to your home, as your father suggested.Show me around, wine and dine me, and maybe you won’t have to worry about kidnapping me.Okay?”He started to look away from her, but she reached up and grasped his chin.“Okay?”
Callon closed his eyes briefly.His shoulders lowered and the tension in the room dropped a little.Enough Lola no longer felt like his parents were about to tackle him, or vice versa.“Okay,” he finally said.“But we’re taking my father’s elevator.I will not subject you to that vile woman again.”He started towards a wall that seemed solid at first but when they were within a couple feet, it separated, opening into the interior of an elevator.
“This place is so freaking cool,” she said under her breath.When they turned around, she smiled at Lyra and Taras.“It was really nice meeting you.I mean, scary as crap, but nice.I really wasn’t sure what to think but you didn’t hate me on sight, say a word about my skin, or make me feel unwelcome, so I’m going to say that this was a win.”
“It was definitely a win, Lola,” Lyra said, her face no longer severe, but now resting in a kind smile.“We are so thankful Callon found you.”
“Father, Mother,” Callon said sharply before pushing the button.
The doors started to close and she shot him a look.“That was rude.”
“I’m done being nice.”
“At what pointwereyou nice?”
He shrugged, his face staring at the metal elevator doors.“I was nice to you.”
“You should be nice to your parents.They love you.It’s written all over their faces.”Lola knew because her own parents looked at her the same way.Taras and Lyra were proud of their son and they genuinely wanted the best for him.
“They want to take you from me,” he said, his body tensing up beside her.“That is not their choice to make.”
“Hey,” Lola snapped her fingers in front of his face.“I’m here.That’s what matters.Right?”
He took her hand and pressed his lips to it.“You’re here right now,” he agreed.
