“I’ve got you, haven’t I?”
I rose from the step, taking her with me until she was on her feet. As she turned to enter the house, I slapped her ass, earning me a stern look over her shoulder.
We walked back inside and headed towards the living room, but Hunter’s voice drifted down the hallway before we reached it.
“I’m just trying to figure out how the invite wasn’t extended to your son but was passed on to Larkin, who isn’t considered family anymore,” he said.
Dad sighed. “If you’re planning to stay, Hunter, I expect no trouble.”
“That’s usually more Gray’s avenue.”
“And here you are trying to steal my thunder,” I said, gripping Quen’s hand tight as we entered the room. He was nowhere near her and that was how I preferred it to stay.
“Mabel said she saw you both down here,” he commented. “I expected both of you, but I didn’t realise the entire family was coming together. What are we celebrating?”
“It’s my birthday,” Quentin answered.
Erik stepped towards Hunter. “And this was my idea.”
Hunter’s eyes narrowed as he took in Quen. “That’s a beautiful ring you have on your finger.”
She moved her hand behind her back quickly.
“Grayson.” Hunter clucked his tongue. “You know you require permission from the head of the council for marriage.”
“You’d deny me my bound?” I asked in return.
His face pinched with frustration. “Is no one going to make a toast?”
I ground my teeth together. “There’s no need.”
“Now, now, Grayson. Surely, you want to celebrate?”
“That’s enough, Hunter,” Dad warned.
“I’ll make the toast.” Erik swirled the liquid in his glass. “Grayson. Quentin. I don’t think there could be anyone in the room more pleased for you both than I am.”
Larkin rolled her eyes, and Sloan leaned back, trying to hide her laughter. Erik would monopolise on this and I didn’t blame him.
“I am ecstatic to see another bound pair find each other and now that you’re making it official, I couldn’t be happier for you both.
“Gray, I think we had all come to terms with the fact that you were content with your own company and that you weren’t interested in finding someone to spend eternity with. Quentin, thank you for opening his eyes and his heart.” Erik sighed wistfully. “You’re family now.”
Hunter cut across him with a scoff. “Not yet.”
“Well, she will be.”
“If she survives the council vote.”
“I suggest you stop talking about her death as if it’s imminent,” I hissed. “You’ve witnessed the way she’s interacted with all of us. The way she’s integrated herself between both worlds.”
Hunter cocked his head to the side. “But that doesn’t mean anything has changed in the eyes of the others. We love to play games. Toy with gormless mortals.”
I opened my mouth, but Quentin stood beside me and cut me off. “I’ve knocked you on your ass once already. Do you want to make it a second time?”
Hunter was quicker than Quentin and the electric blue of his aura struck her directly in the chest, throwing her back into the wall.
Larkin and Sloan jumped to their feet, rushing to her, and I turned to my brother, but Dad and Erik got there first. Bouts of copper and red fighting with blue. I threw my aura into the mix.
