“Indeed,” Ranulf says. “Now, the queen awaits. Are you ready, mate?”
I gulp. “I am.” It is a lie, given I am all aflutter with nerves. I want badly to love this queen they speak so highly of. But what if she is cruel or unkind? What if she does not like me?
Ranulf must see all my churning angst, for his face softens. “There is only one way to allay your fears, Evanthe. And that is by meeting our queen.”
They guide me toward the heart of the den, down wide stone passages warmed by braziers. Beyond a carved archway, a tall, imposing, brutish male stands, distracting me from all other occupants in the room. Immediately, I see the similarities to Ranulf. This is his brother, the pack leader.
I bow deeply, although no one tells me to.
“Oh, Evanthe,” a female voice says warmly. When I peer up, a young lass is bearing down on me. Petite, radiant, smiling as though she has been eager for this moment. She takes my hands. “That dress is so becoming on you!”
“Mistress Nina made it,” I say, unable to hide my pride. I adore Elenor’s dress; if I am not mistaken, it is likewise made by Mistress Nina.
Elenor’s eyes twinkle. “Of course she did.” She gestures at herself and winks. “My mate is more inclined to keep me in a state of undress, but well… he enjoys it when I occasionally don pretty human clothes.” Her eyes lower, and she nips her lower lip. “Fine, I enjoy it when he gets all growly and peels me out of them.”
“Mate,” Torric says gruffly. “Do not make me spank you in front of our guests.”
Elenor only shoots me another playful smile, not at all bothered.
A laugh escapes me. She grins and captures my hand again, tucking it over her arm. “Come sit with me. I know today must feel overwhelming.”
She shoos the men away and leads me toward a fur-covered bench beside the hearth. “Seeing you reminds me of how I felt when I first arrived,” she says. “Terrified yet also thrilled. Unsure if I was dreaming.” Her smile softens. “It gets easier.”
I return her smile.
“I hear your family lives not so far from here. Your mother, father, and siblings?”
“They do,” I say, my heart skipping a beat at the mention of them. “The village of Tully Low.”
“Oh, that is no distance at all. I can tell from the way your face lights up that you love them well. I dare say now your mates have gotten over the claiming stage, they could take you there if you wished.”
My throat tightens with emotion. “Truly?”
“Truly,” she says. “A mate should not be a prisoner. You are part of our pack now—but you came from somewhere, and the people who love you deserve comfort too.”
Tears well in my eyes.
She leans in to give me a swift hug. “There, do not get upset, Evanthe, lest your mate get all growly and break up our chat.”
I dash tears from my eyes and grin.
Elenor squeezes my hand again. “Welcome to your new home, Evanthe.”
When I glance back, I find my triad watching over me with unmistakable love and pride. Then Beric winks, Alden smirks, and Ranulf bestows on me a smoldering look that leaves no doubt as to what will happen as soon as my meeting with the queen is done.
I believe my mates have my ravishment in mind.
I believe I cannot wait.
