Luke disagreed. In or out of that dress, Quinn could make men give up the world. “Did you bring Quinn’s mate?” The words were bitter on his tongue. “I’ve kept her safe. I hope you’ve done the same.”
“Luke,” Quinn said. “Don’t. It just makes it harder.”
“Her match is already here,” Mrs. Wilder said. “You’ll have to ask him yourself if you want to know if he’s worthy for of a queen.”
“Where?” Quinn asked.
Apprehension and anxiety were evident, even if he couldn’t smell it on her. That fucking bear scent. He hated hiding. Especially now that he was about to face Quinn’s future. One that didn’t include him.
“Where is he?” Luke demanded when Gerri didn’t answer Quinn.
“Right in front of me.” Her expression softened. “Ask yourself, Luke. Are you worthy of a queen?”
His wolf bayed with frustration. This had to be some kind of trick. What was Mrs. Wilder playing at? Quinn’s clan was at stake. “I don’t understand.”
“How can I take Luke as a mate?” She turned to Luke. He saw her hope—and her confusion.
“The mate you need isn’t always the one you think is right.”
“But you’re wrong, Mrs. Wilder,” Quinn said. “I need Luke, and I think he’s the right one. But he’s a wolf shifter. Not a bear. You know this. So why throw us together?”
The older woman took her hand. “Do you love him, Quinn?”
Luke held his breath.
“Yes,” Quinn finally said.
Luke let out his breath.
“Then you will take him as a mate,” Melody Orson said.
Damn, those Orson women were stealthy! Luke turned and faced Quinn’s mother. Melody’s expression was one of love and concern.
“But you’ll lose everything, Mom,” said Quinn softly.
“No, I won’t. You and your sisters are more important to me than this house and all the possessions in it. Quinn, I loved your father, not for his position or his wealth, but for his heart. He was the kindest man I’ve ever met, and he led the Orsino clan with both wisdom and strength.” Melody clasped her daughter’s hands. “Neither of us would want you to choose misery disguised as duty.”
Melody took Luke’s hand and placed it over Quinn’s. “I’ve seen the way you two have been mooning over each other all week. If you took anyone else as a mate, you’d ruin three lives.”
“And the clan? What will become of them?”
“The only way to free them from Trey’s rule would be to buy their way out, but the price is steep. I don’t know how we would get the money.”
“I have money,” Ronnie said.
“What?” Luke felt euphoric and a bit confused. Was he really going to get the only thing in the world he truly wanted? Could any of this be real?
“I have money,” his mother repeated. “I have the payout from your father’s life insurance that the army paid me when he died. I’ve invested wisely, and I have a sizeable nest egg that I’d been saving for you if you ever decided to settle down.”
“How much?” Melody asked, suddenly very interested.
“Several million,” Ronnie responded.
Quinn’s mom turned to Luke and smiled. “You have my blessing to marry my daughter. I’m very happy for you both.”
Luke was still trying to process what had happened when Quinn grabbed his hand and said, “Come with me, now.”
