After our bodies were sated last night, we had spoken for a little bit before sleep claimed us. Rowen had explained what happened, and I had told her I’d felt her battle but not known the cause of her fight. It made sense.
It didn’t make any sense, but still…it made sense.
My head was going to overload if I thought about it too much. I had faith in my Goddess and faith in the Hollow to protect my mate. Just before I drifted off to sleep, I decided I didn’t need to understand the details, just believe it was right for Rowen as long as she was happy.
And she was. Her smile said more than her simple assurances. My mate had a purpose. That’s all she ever wanted: to protect her pack and feel needed. I was happy for her. I was more than delighted when I saw her nose crinkle in despair when she explained she had to become the druid’s apprentice.
Once we settled this business with the Pack Council and stopped their attempt to destroy us, I’d enjoy watching Rowen battle against the druid every day. It would provide years of entertainment.
We just needed the years of peace to enjoy it.
“They have a new student,” I told Killian, realizing that neither I nor Rowen had answered him. “Rowen’s a druid.”
“In training,” Rowen added hastily.
Killian’s mouth formed anO. I nodded. He grinned. I couldn’t stop my smile. He started to laugh, and I joined him. Rowen reached over and managed to punch us both, and we laughed even harder.
Brand and Diesel walked into the house and found Killian and me holding our sides, aching with laughter, while Rowen glared murderously at both of us.
“What’s in the coffee?” Brand asked Diesel, and that only set Killian and me off again.
“You owe me furniture,” Rowen snapped at Diesel. She pushed to her feet. “Your alpha is an ass.”
I caught her hand and pulled her down onto my lap. “It’s funny.” I kissed her cheek. “Admit it, it’s a little bit funny.”
“What’s funny?” Brand asked, taking up a spot on the floor.
“Rowen’s going to be the druid’s apprentice,” Killian told him gleefully.
Brand, to give him his due, quickly hid his smile behind his hand. Diesel wasn’t so subtle. He bellowed with laughter.
And my mate sprang for him.
Chapter 8
Rowen
Wolfe grabbedme before my fist connected with Diesel, but it was close.
Diesel grinned at me, and whatever I had inherited from the Hollow rippled under my skin in response. In…recognition?
“You’re a druid?” I blurted, and the grin was gone from his face.
Diesel looked at Wolfe, one eyebrow raised. “Is that what your platinum-haired, robe-wearing charlatan tells you thatyouare?”
Wolfe whispered something that sounded a lot like a warning that I didn’t hear over the sound of the blood pumping in my own ears.
“The land accepts me,” I told Diesel. Maybe them all. How dare they laugh. This was a big deal. I hadmagicinside me.
Diesel snorted. “The land accepts us all, Rowen.” He sat on the floor, looking comfortable, even though he was the reason I had no furniture in my front room. “Somethingwakened in you,” he said with a knowing smile. “Yesterday, when the Goddess’s power was overflowing in Wolfe, a little of it touched you, didn’t it?”
I could deny it, but I knew Wolfe would just confirm it. “I believe so.”
Wolfe pulled me closer to his chest, and I tried to relax against him.
“This is old land,” Diesel said as if we were discussing the weather. “Your druid has barely a cup of it within him, but you…” He looked me over, and I felt as if he stripped me naked. Not in a sexual way. In that way he had of weighing and measuring you with nothing more than a look. “You got more than a cup,” he mused.
“The druid said she’s his apprentice,” Killian told Diesel.
