Kerrianne climbs down my back and rushes to Valor, hugging him tightly. “Thank you! I gotta go back to finish decorating Captain’s room.”
Before we can object, not that we wanted to, Kerrianne sprints through the house back to her tortoise’s room.
“Are you staying for dinner?” Antonella asks as she comes down the stairs. Her wolf is pressed up against the surface, her eyes golden and alert.
Would our mate look that striking?My wolf wonders, but I shove him and that thought aside.
“No, I’ve got to get back to working on some things.” I can’t even come up with a single project that hasn’t been put on hold for the new year.
“He’s busy stalking Leticia.” Valor outs me, not that he has any real proof of what I’m doing. “He admitted to me while we were at the cabin that he’s caught feelings for your cousin, and now she’s in Italy, and he’s heartbroken.”
I turn to walk away from him before I start a fight between us in the living room and probably knock over the tree we just wrestled into place. “Fuck you.”
“Royal, come back.” Valor sighs. “I’m sorry.”
Shaking my head, I keep going. “Got to go, have a computer update to attend to.”
I have to go back to bed. The seven-hour time difference between Chicago and Italy means that Leticia’s day starts at midnight, and I don’t want to miss a second of it.
Mom is straighteningthe wreath on the front door when I pull into the driveway. I try to get in the garage, through the house, and down to my lair before she can stop me, but Mom’s quicker than that.
She beats me to the top of my stairs. Arms crossed in front of her chest, she’s who Valor gets the cutting glare from.
Mom’s mad.My wolf fawns, trying to get her favor, tipping his head to the side so far that I have no choice but to follow.
I keep my eyes trained on her and cock my head aside, exposing my neck in submission.
“You cannot stalk the D’Medici girl every night for the rest of your life.” Despite her gaze, Mom’s words are soft. “I’m sorry she left. I’m sorry you’re hurting. But you only have until Christmas to watch her every night. Then you’ve got to start moving on.”
“I just wish she could have stayed,” I admit aloud, knowing it sounds weak.
“Me too.” Mom steps forward and wraps her arms around me. “I’m sorry, baby. But we all knew her place wasn’t here.”
The lies.My wolf whines.Our mate’s place is here with us. Forever.
I don’t argue with Mom though. I just nod. “D’Medicis and Cavanaghs already have one arranged marriage.”
It doesn’t feel like a lie when I say it aloud. But that’s what I just did. I forced Leticia and me into a marriage. I took away a choice she made.Am I all that different from everyone else in her life?
I should probably have remorse. Especially standing here before Mom when she’s trying to make me feel better. But that’s not who I am. I made a choice, and it’s going to affect all of us. I just hope it’s going to protect Leticia like I think it will.
Mom lets me go with one last squeeze before shuffling aside, opening space for me to go downstairs. “Come up for dinner?”
“I’ll set an alarm.” I promise with a nod.
I’m not hungry, haven’t been in days. But I’ll make an attempt.
46
LETICIA
LONG DISTANCE BFF
Royal:
Good morning, gorgeous. Dress shopping today?
I’m smilingbefore my feet hit the ground. He’s clearly going through the other text messages on my phone and still stalking me like a hawk that way.
