He caught her wrist and pressed his lips to her palm."You remind me of my sisters—strong-willed and particular.You'll be right at home with the Vallex women."His eyes softened."My family is yours now."
Something flickered across Ancelin's face—a momentary grief quickly hidden.
Krevan's mouth curved against her ear."Those delicious treats?For my enjoyment only.I never share what's mine."He drew back with a mischievous glint."I promise to behave around your actual baking for now, but later..."He gathered her close, his kiss leaving her breathless."I prefer this spirited version of you to the sadness.Fire suits you better than sorrow."
"We're not discussing my actual baking skills, are we?"Ancelin asked, realization dawning.
"Not even slightly."Krevan's smile was wolfish.
As evening settled, Ancelin arranged decorations while Krevan offered genuine praise for her efforts.She crafted a centerpiece using flowers he'd somehow procured after her casual mention of wanting them.In the pantry's depths, she unearthed elegant dinnerware—plates, wine goblets, water glasses—all carefully packed away.Krevan mentioned more treasures in the barn and returned with half a dozen boxes containing serving platters, crystal vases, and ornate trays.
Ancelin ran her finger along a silver serving dish."Where did all this come from?"
"Most of this came from my home on Triaxe," Krevan explained, running his finger along the rim of a crystal vase."Mother insisted on shipping it all.My place there still has plenty—anything you might want; she'd find it for you in a heartbeat."He shook his head with a small smile."I called her crazy at the time, but now..."His eyes softened watching Ancelin."There's more in the barn—wedding gifts, actually.Gillian and I never used them.She wasn't one for cooking or hosting, and honestly, no one would have come if we had.My family never warmed to her."
"I can use these.It doesn't bother me," Ancelin said, carefully unwrapping a delicate serving platter, her eyes bright."We'll give them purpose now."She paused, hands stilling."I stored my parents' things away too.When we visit Earth, we should arrange to have them sent here or to Triaxe.I don't see myself living on Earth again."
Krevan's brow furrowed."Why not?"
"Earth stopped being home the moment I lost everything there."Ancelin's voice softened to nearly a whisper."I need somewhere new.Somewhere that doesn't echo with ghosts."
"Then we'll build that place together," Krevan said, squeezing her hand.
As Ancelin unwrapped another box, a leather-bound album slipped free."What's this?"
"Family memories.My mother compiled it—birthdays, graduations, weddings, all of it."Krevan opened it, pages crackling.
Ancelin's finger traced a young man's face in one photo."This can't be you," she teased, though her eyes lingered appreciatively.
"Unrecognizable?"
"No, still you.Just..."she studied his face now, comparing."Your eyes carry more weight now.Hellgate will do that, I suppose."
She turned another page, and hesitated."Would you mind showing me Gillian sometime?I'm curious."
"You want to see her?"
Ancelin nodded."I'd like to know what she looked like.”
"I believe Mother included an engagement photo somewhere in here—not for the happy memory, but for the picture of me,” he said, flipping to the back of the album.Near the final pages, he found what he was looking for: himself standing beside a statuesque blonde woman who rivaled his height—unusual for an Earth female.Her red evening gown shimmered with intricate embroidery, flowing around her like liquid fire, the matching slippers barely visible beneath the designer hem.
"This was taken the moment I arrived at our engagement celebration—late from an emergency surgery.Gillian was furious."In the photo, Krevan appeared equally polished in his black tuxedo, his red bow tie, a perfect match to her gown.His warm green eyes stood out against his light brown hair, which fell casually across his forehead.
"You made a striking pair," Ancelin observed quietly.
"Not like us," Krevan replied, his voice softening."Besides, appearances deceive.You possess beauty she never had—both inside and out."He turned the page to reveal himself alone, grinning broadly enough to display his fangs."My brothers and I were deliberately annoying her here.None of them could stand her either."
"About this mating process," Ancelin said, changing the subject."I'm still trying to understand."
"The fundamentals are biological," he explained, his voice low."My seed must be given to my mate, followed by the bite that seals our mating.What would poison others becomes protection for you alone.And my body..."he hesitated, "responds fully only to my true mate."
Ancelin's cheeks flushed warm."It's unlike anything I've known before or heard of before."
Krevan's expression softened as he looked at her."I know I’m alien to you.But you know something?"
“What?”
“You’re getting used to me.”He wiggled his eyebrows.
